About Canton Fair
The Canton Fair (officially the China Import & Export Fair) is the world's largest, oldest and most comprehensive trade fair, held twice a year in Guangzhou — spring (April–May) and autumn (October–November). Established in 1957, it is China's premier international trade event and remains the single most important sourcing platform for Indian importers, distributors and brand-builders.
The autumn 2026 edition will be held across three phases over three weeks (15 October – 4 November) at the China Import & Export Fair Complex (Pazhou) — a 1.18-million-square-metre venue, the largest exhibition facility in Asia. Each phase covers a distinct set of product categories, allowing Indian buyers to time their visit precisely to their sourcing needs.
More than 25,000 Chinese exhibitors participate each edition, showcasing 1.6 million products across electronics, machinery, building materials, textiles & garments, consumer goods, food & medical products. The fair draws over 200,000 international buyers from 220+ countries, making it the single best opportunity to discover new suppliers, compare prices side-by-side, and negotiate face-to-face — something Alibaba or any online B2B platform simply cannot replicate.
More Than Travel has been organising Canton Fair delegation packages from India for over a decade. Our end-to-end package handles China visa, return flights from Delhi, 4★ hotel near the fair venue, buyer registration through CIEF official channels, daily transfers, English-speaking ground handler and a dedicated India helpline — so your team can focus entirely on sourcing, not logistics.
Why Attend Canton Fair?
Indian buyers attend Canton Fair because no other trade fair on earth offers this scale or depth — here's why it remains the most-attended fair in our calendar:
- Unmatched supplier diversity — 25,000+ exhibitors across 50+ industries under one roof; what would take months on Alibaba can be sourced in a week.
- Better pricing than online platforms — face-to-face negotiation typically yields 15–30% lower quotes than Alibaba RFQs, and you can compare multiple suppliers in real time.
- Physical product inspection — touch, test and assess quality before committing capital. Critical for first orders.
- Vetted manufacturers, not traders — Canton Fair screens exhibitors to filter out the trading-company-posing-as-manufacturer problem common online.
- New product launches — Chinese factories unveil new SKUs at Canton 3–6 months before they appear on B2B portals.
- Build long-term supplier relationships — Chinese suppliers offer their best pricing and most favourable payment terms to buyers they have met in person.
- One-stop sourcing — combine raw materials, machinery, packaging and finished goods in a single trip.
2026 Edition — Dates, Venue & Key Numbers
Full venue address: China Import & Export Fair Complex (Pazhou), Guangzhou, China.
Key Industries & Sectors Covered
Canton Fair is organised in 3 phases by sector: Phase 1 (15–19 Oct) — electronics, machinery, hardware, building materials, chemicals. Phase 2 (23–27 Oct) — consumer goods, gifts, furniture, ceramics. Phase 3 (31 Oct – 4 Nov) — textiles, shoes, food, medical, office supplies. Multi-phase visitors typically book 10–13 night packages.
Who Should Attend?
- Importers and distributors looking for new product lines or to replace existing suppliers
- Manufacturers sourcing raw materials, components or machinery from China
- Brand owners developing private-label products under their own brand
- E-commerce sellers on Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho, etc. expanding their catalogue
- Wholesalers and retailers sourcing seasonal or perennial stock
- Procurement teams from large corporates seeking direct factory relationships
Our Canton Fair Delegation Package
More Than Travel has been organising Indian delegations to Canton Fair for over a decade. Our end-to-end package handles every detail so your team can focus 100% on business outcomes:
Return Flights
Economy from Delhi (Mumbai for group bookings). Reputed carriers: Air India, China Southern, China Eastern, Cathay Pacific.
4★ Hotel near Pazhou
Strategic location — 5–15 minutes to the fair venue. Daily breakfast, free WiFi, en-suite rooms. Hong Kong / Shenzhen extension available.
China M-Visa Support
End-to-end visa assistance — invitation letter from CIEF, document checklist, application filing, status tracking. 4–7 working days.
Buyer Registration
Official Canton Fair buyer registration completed on your behalf — badge collection guidance, daily fair transfers, English-speaking ground handler, India helpline 24×7.
Past Canton Delegations — Our Group Photos
Glimpses from our recent group delegations to this fair. Drawn from real trips with Indian businesses across industries.
What Our Clients Say
Verified feedback from Indian businesses we have travelled with — across trade fairs, study tours, MICE and holidays.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Canton Fair 2026 and how do I attend from India?
Canton Fair 2026 autumn edition runs 15 October – 4 November 2026 in Guangzhou, China, across three phases. From India, the easiest way to attend is through our all-inclusive delegation package — flights from Delhi, 4★ hotel near the fair, China business (M) visa, buyer registration and on-trip support. Book at least 6–8 weeks ahead to secure the best hotel rates and complete visa processing.
How much does a Canton Fair tour from India cost in 2026?
Indicative all-inclusive cost per person on twin-sharing from Delhi: 5 nights / 6 days = ₹1.05–1.35 lakh (one phase); 7 nights = ₹1.45–1.85 lakh (one phase + Hong Kong add-on); 10 nights = ₹1.75–2.25 lakh (two phases); 12 nights = ₹2.10–2.65 lakh (two phases + Hong Kong/Shenzhen). Includes flights, hotel, breakfast, visa, fair badge, transfers and on-trip support.
Do I need a special visa for Canton Fair?
Yes — Indian passport holders need a Chinese M-visa (business) for Canton Fair. You cannot enter on a tourist (L) visa for the fair. Documents required: passport (6+ months validity), 3 months' bank statements, company registration / GST, and the invitation letter from Canton Fair organisers (we obtain this for you as part of the package). Processing takes 4–7 working days; we recommend starting 4–6 weeks before travel.
Which phase of Canton Fair is best for my industry?
Phase 1 (15–19 Oct) covers electronics, household appliances, lighting, vehicles, machinery, hardware, chemicals, energy and construction. Phase 2 (23–27 Oct) covers consumer goods, gifts, home decor, furniture, ceramics and toys. Phase 3 (31 Oct – 4 Nov) covers textiles & garments, shoes, bags, food, medical equipment and office stationery. Tell us your industry and we'll recommend the right phase or a multi-phase plan.
What documents and items should I bring to Canton Fair?
Original passport, printed badge confirmation, 200–300 business cards, your product requirement list with target specifications and quantities, company brochure or profile, comfortable walking shoes (fair halls span kilometres), power bank, and the Canton Fair official app. We also recommend installing WeChat in India before travel — it's the primary post-fair communication tool with Chinese suppliers, and a VPN if you need WhatsApp / Google access in mainland China.