Canton Fair guide for buyers

The China Import and Export Fair, usually called the Canton Fair, is China's largest trade fair. It's held at the fair complex in Pazhou, Guangzhou, and brings together tens of thousands of Chinese exporters across almost every product category.

For buyers, it's the quickest way to see a lot of suppliers in one place, compare products side by side and meet the people behind them.

There are two sessions a year, each split into three phases of about five days, with a few days between phases while the halls are changed over.

Each phase is open from about 9:30 in the morning to 6 in the evening. Hotels near the fair fill up and get expensive, so book as early as you can.

Check the official category list for the session you plan to visit, because product groups sometimes move between phases.

1. 1Pre-register online through the fair's buyer service system or app, before the session starts.
2. 2Enter your passport details and company details, and upload a photo and a scan of your passport.
3. 3Request an invitation letter during registration if you need a visa. The system issues it once your registration is accepted.
4. 4Collect your badge at one of the badge offices, or at the fair, with your original passport.

Pre-registering online gets you the badge free of charge. Buyers who register on site may pay a fee.

Many nationalities can now visit China for up to 30 days without a visa. If you do need one, a business (M) visa is the usual choice, and the fair's invitation letter supports your application. Our China visa help page explains the options.

Guangzhou has a large international airport and is well connected by high-speed rail, including to Hong Kong and Shenzhen. The fair complex is reached by metro from the city centre.

• Make a list of the products you want, with target prices and quantities, before you arrive.
• Use the fair's online exhibitor search to shortlist halls and booths in advance.
• Plan one or two halls per half-day. The complex is huge and walking it all is exhausting.
• Bring plenty of business cards, and photos or samples of what you're looking for.
• Take a photo of each booth, its products and the supplier's card, so you can match them up later.

• Are you the manufacturer, or a trading company? Where is the factory?
• What's the MOQ for this product, and is there a lower MOQ for a first order?
• What's the price at my quantity, and on which Incoterm (usually FOB)?
• What's the lead time for samples, and for production?
• Which markets do you export to, and which certificates do you have for my market?

Note the answers straight away. After a few dozen booths, they start to blur together.

Plenty of exhibitors are trading companies. That's not always a problem, but you should know who you're dealing with. A narrow product range, technical answers about production and a willingness to show you the factory are good signs. A huge mixed range, vague answers and reluctance to share the factory address are signs of a trader.

The only way to be sure is to visit. Our factory audit checklist covers what to look at, and many buyers book a few factory visits for the days after their phase.

1. 1Sort your notes and cards the same evening, while you still remember each booth.
2. 2Send follow-up emails within a week, with your specification, so every supplier quotes on the same basis.
3. 3Compare quotes properly, including MOQ, tooling and lead times, not just the unit price.
4. 4Order samples from the best two or three, and check out each supplier before you pay a deposit.

If you'd like help on the ground, we plan Canton Fair trips with a bilingual guide, factory visits after the fair, and follow-up on samples and quotes.