Fast. Secure. Cost-efficient. And designed with your business goals in mind.
The all-in-one account to help your business grow internationally. Spiral Springs
Learn how to get the most out of your World Account.
Learn more about WorldFirst and our brands.
Home > Guides to grow your business > Guides for online sellers
The Canton Fair, or the China Import and Export Fair, is one of the largest trade events where suppliers and manufacturers showcase their products to prospective buyers.
Its 135th edition is scheduled to commence in Spring of 2024 in Guangzhou, China. The Canton Fair is held in three phases over three weeks so businesses can take optimum advantage of the event.
Whether you’re a first-time visitor to the Canton Fair or a seasoned pro, preparing and getting a game plan together will help you have a successful and fun trip to Guangzhou.
Our Canton Fair Guide is packed with essential travel advice, local tips, and Canton Fair knowledge that’ll help you get around more easily, enjoy the local culture, and make sure you make the most out of the trade fair.
The Canton Trade Fair is one of the world’s biggest exhibitions that connects sellers and buyers. The trade show occurs twice a year in Guangzhou, China.
The first session kicks off in spring, around April/May, and the second is organised in autumn, around October/November. The event is organised by the China Foreign Trade Centre and co-hosted by the Ministry of Commerce of China.
Here are the event details for the Canton Trade Fair 2024 in spring:
Opening hours: 9:30am to 6pm local time
Location: Canton Fair Complex, No. 380, Yuejiang Zhong Road, Guangzhou, China
Here are the steps to attend the Canton Fair as a new buyer or a seasoned buyer:
Overseas buyers will need a Canton Fair invite to get a Chinese visa. To apply for an e-invitation, use the Buyer E-service tool on the Canton Fair website. Register as a new buyer and add your business and personal details to create an account. You will also be required to add your passport details.
Regular overseas buyers who already have the previous year’s badge can directly apply for the e-invitation by logging into the Buyer E-service tool. The Buyer Badge number (9 digits) will be the login ID, and the 7 or 8-digit number on the backside of the badge will be the initial password.
It may take a few days to a week to get the invitation letter through email. After you receive the invitation, you can print it out and use it to apply for a Chinese visa.
Here are some of the sources to get a Chinese visa:
The Buyer badge is the only official entry pass to the Canton Fair. It works for multiple sessions.
Using your e-invitation, you can pre-register for the buyer badge or get your badge on-site at the event.
You can also apply for your buyer badge in advance at the Appointed Hotels or the Guangzhou Baiyun Airport.
Note: Regular buyers who already have the previous year’s badge can enter the event directly with their existing badge.
With your buyer badge, you are all set to attend the world’s biggest trade fair and expand your business globally. Using a translating app or an interpreter is highly recommended to ensure there aren’t any communication issues.
The Canton Trade Fair 2024 has three phases, like all previous editions. The organisers designed the event so that each phase would display different product categories.
Once you are in Guangzhou, there are three main ways to reach the Canton Fair:
Direct shuttle service: It takes you directly from the Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport to the fair venue. The shuttle services run through all three phases of the trade fair between 1pm to 6pm. You will find a new shuttle every 30 minutes. There are also shuttle buses available from major hotels to the fair venue.
Metro: You can take Line 8 either from the Pazhou Station via exits A, B, or C or from the Xingang Dong Station via exit A.
Taxi: You can also directly get a taxi to the venue using ride-hailing apps like DiDi.
The Canton Trade Fair is so far and vast that it’s easy to get lost in the wide range of products offered by suppliers from across China. To make the most out of the event, you need to first decide on the type of products you are interested in.
You should also build a short list of suppliers you want to see and find out where they are located. Prepare a list of questions to ask suppliers, including
It’s important to choose reputed and reliable suppliers and build deep business relationships with them. You may not get a lot of opportunities to have face-to-face conversations with so many suppliers. Use your time to learn about them and their major capabilities. Ask direct questions, be confident, and learn some negotiation skills.
→ Pro tip: If you are going to visit the Canton Trade Fair for a particular phase, you can create a daily game plan like this:
You will find that most booths at the Canton Fair will have someone who can speak English. But if you want your own translator, you can partner with a translation service agency or even book Canton Fair’s on-site translators, who are often in high demand, so booking early is necessary.
→ Pro tip: Digital translation apps, like Alibaba Translate, can be handy for simple conversations.
Exchanging business cards is a common practice in China. You should bring plenty of business cards with all your contact information, including, phone number, email address, and WeChat ID.
Networking is one of the main reasons many overseas buyers attend the Canton Fair in China. You should use this opportunity to build your network of suppliers.
→Pro tip: Receive all business cards with two hands to show respect, and keep it in sight during your meeting.
China has its own range of apps for making payments, sending messages, and managing transportation. Make sure you have all the important apps downloaded on your phone when you land in China.
→ Pro tip: The popular question, “I scan or you scan me?” is often asked in stores.
→ Pro Tip: Install a VPN before you land in China because global apps like WhatsApp, Gmail, YouTube, and Instagram don’t work in the country.
It’s good to show appreciation for Chinese culture by learning a few common phrases. It can also help you travel the country with convenience.
→ Pro tip: Create a checklist for everything you will need before you board and arrive in China. Here’s our ultimate checklist to help you navigate through the city:
You will find accommodation options all across the city of Guangzhou, ready to host people worldwide. Most hotels offer pickup and drop facilities from the airport and the fair venue. It’s also better to book a hotel well in advance and preferably book a place closer to the fair venue to lower your travel time.
Distance from Canton Fair venue
Guangzhou is the home of Cantonese food, so we definitely recommend trying out the local cuisine here. The city also offers flavours from around the world for international travellers.
The restaurant has been awarded Michelin plates for over five consecutive years, making it a must-try.
The restaurant offers an antique, fine-dine experience to patrons.
The serene and peaceful interiors of Panxi can be perfect after a long day at the fair.
The place offers a high-end dining experience with private dining booths that can be perfect for business meetings or just for some much-needed alone time.
A staple among Western travellers, Wilber’s is located in a colonial-era villa. The place offers great Western food and a cocktail area.
Experience authentic French cuisine coupled with great service in this fine-dine restaurant.
Located on the rooftop of a 16-floor building, Oakroom offers panoramic city views and great food.
Here are the top tour routes in Guangzhou to experience the modern cityscapes and deep culture of the city:
1. A tour of the thousand-year-old Guangzhou: Take a walk through its history. Explore major landmarks, including:
2. A shopping Tour in Guangzhou
Go shopping in the fashionable city of commerce and trade. Explore major shopping malls, including:
3. An artistic tour in Guangzhou
Explore the artistic tour of the beautiful town through landmarks, including:
4. A passionate tour of Guangzhou, a city of vitality
Relax in these hotels and water parks after a long day at the Canton Trade fair:
5. A folk cultural tour of Guangzhou
Take a cultural tour of the city and walk through its history with these landmarks:
6. A romantic tour in Guangzhou
Experience the fragrant spring blossoms and reconnect with nature through these beautiful places:
7. A tasty tour in Guangzhou, a city for gourmets
Explore local cuisine restaurants to better understand why Guangzhou is known as the city for gourmets.
8. A slow, healthy tour in Guangzho
Relax and unwind as you walk through the different nature points around the city:
9. A cultural heritage tour in Guangzhou
Seep into the culture of Guangzhou through these major landmarks:
While the Canton Trade Fair makes finding the right products and suppliers easy, the biggest hiccup you will face with an international supplier is making quick and cost-effective cross-border payments. If you don’t choose the right payment partner, the high FX costs can affect your profit margins. Also, continuous delayed payments can affect your relationship with the suppliers.
WorldFirst helps businesses make international payments easily, quickly, and securely. Our expertise allows you to trade confidently in 130 countries across 70+ currencies. We believe every business, regardless of size, deserves a shot at the global stage.
Your World Account removes barriers to buying and selling worldwide, so you can easily grow in a way that suits you. It’s the simpler, faster, and smarter way to pay and get paid internationally – all through a single account.
Disclaimer: The information contained is general only and largely our views. Before acting on the information you should consider whether it is appropriate for you, in light of your objectives, financial situation or needs. Although information has been obtained from and is based upon multiple sources the author believes to be reliable, we do not guarantee its accuracy and it may be incomplete or condensed. All opinions, estimates, mentioned products/services and referenced material constitute the author’s own judgement as of the date of the briefing and are subject to change without notice. WorldFirst shall not be responsible for any losses or damages arising from your reliance of such information.
Choose a category below for more business, finance and foreign exchange support from WorldFirst.
World First Pty Ltd is a designated remittance provider with the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC), remittance sector registration number: IND100192523-001. Regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL) number 331945. Australian Company Number (ACN) 132 368 971. Member of the Australian Financial Complaints Authority, membership number 13405.
Registered office: Level 17, 55 Clarence Street , Sydney 2000, NSW, Australia
The information contained is general in nature. Before acting on the information you should consider whether it is appropriate for you, in light of your objectives, financial situation or needs. Please review our Product Disclosure Statement , Financial Services Guide and Target Market Determination prior to making a decision.
Learn more about our pricing, currency converter and comparison messaging by visiting our legal disclaimer page .
World First Pty Ltd is a designated remittance provider with the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC), remittance sector registration number: IND100192523-001. Regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL) number 331945. Australian Company Number (ACN) 132 368 971. Member of the Australian Financial Complaints Authority, membership number 13405.
Registered office: Level 17, 55 Clarence Street , Sydney 2000, NSW, Australia
The information contained is general in nature. Before acting on the information you should consider whether it is appropriate for you, in light of your objectives, financial situation or needs. Please review our Product Disclosure Statement , Financial Services Guide and Target Market Determination prior to making a decision.
Inconel Springs Learn more about our pricing, currency converter and comparison messaging by visiting our legal disclaimer page .