Meta Description: Your complete guide to the Canton Fair 2024. Learn how to get an invitation letter, prepare effectively, negotiate with suppliers, and maximize your success at China's largest trade show.
Canton Fair 2025 – The Ultimate Guide
The Canton Fair stands as China's largest, longest-running, and most prestigious international trade event. Held biannually in Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong Province, each session draws hundreds of thousands of visitors and tens of thousands of exhibitors. The 2025 edition will once again be a hybrid event, combining an on-site exhibition with online participation, catering to global importers and exporters.
To help you navigate this premier gathering, we have compiled the Canton Fair 2025 – Ultimate Guide, bringing together all the essential information you need in one convenient place.
What is the Canton Fair?
The Canton Fair is recognized as the world's largest trade fair. With a history dating back to the 1950s, it is organized by the China Foreign Trade Center (CFTC). The fair serves as a massive marketplace where primarily Chinese suppliers and manufacturers present their latest products. It attracts a global audience from over 200 countries and regions, offering attendees a prime opportunity to discover industry trends, forge new connections, and source a vast array of goods.
How Does the Fair Work?
The process is straightforward and designed to facilitate business:
Exhibitors (Suppliers/Manufacturers) showcase their product samples at themed booths.
Attendees (International Buyers) explore the halls, visiting booths to discuss requirements, examine quality, and test products firsthand.
The Goal of these interactions is to foster partnerships that deliver innovative solutions and high-quality products to the global market.For anyone looking to source directly from China, the Canton Fair is the indispensable destination.
Official Website: cantonfair.org.cn
Where is the Canton Fair 2025 Held?
The Canton Fair 2025 will take place at the China Import and Export Fair (Pazhou) Complex in Guangzhou.
Full Address:
Pazhou Complex, 382 Yuejiangzhong Road, Haizhu District, Guangzhou, China
Chinese Address： 中国广州市海珠区阅江中路382号、中国进出口商品交易会展馆
When traveling by taxi in Guangzhou, you can show the Chinese address above to the driver for direct access to the venue.
As one of the largest exhibition centers globally, the Pazhou Complex has undergone significant expansions and technological upgrades in recent years—including during the pandemic—to enhance the visitor experience. Whether you are a first-time or returning attendee, you may be pleasantly surprised by its advanced facilities and modern exhibition environment.
When is the Canton Fair 2025?
Canton Fair is split into two sessions, spring and fall.
- Canton Fair 2025 fall edition:
- October15-19, 2025
- October23-27, 2025
- October 31-November 4, 2025
Due to the immense scale of the Canton Fair, the on-site event is organized into three distinct phases, each dedicated to specific industries and product categories. To avoid feeling overwhelmed and make the most of your visit, it is crucial to plan your strategy in advance. Before registering, we recommend identifying which phase aligns with your sourcing goals by considering what products you aim to source and sell in your target market.
Canton Fair Phase 1
The first phase of the Canton Fair is all about electronic devices, lighting, vehicles, machinery, tools, and building materials. Phase 1 dates: October 15-19, 2025.
Source：Exhibition Section Floor Map-138th Canton Fair
Electronics & household electrical appliances
- consumer electronics and information products
- audio-video products
- digital entertainment products
- communications
- power products (batteries)
- computer products (peripherals, network equipment, software)
- other electronic products
- electronic and electrical products
- electronic security equipment
- business automation equipment
- electronic & electrical products
- electric equipment
- household electrical appliances
- kitchen appliances
- refrigerators & refrigeration equipment
- air conditioners & ventilation equipment
- washing & drying machinery
- other small electrical appliances
- application of the illumination system
- electric light source
- light fittings
Vehicles & spare parts
- bicycles, electric scooters & parts
- motorcycles, beach cars & parts
- vehicles
- vehicle spare parts
- lubricants & fuel supply spare parts
- tires
- vehicle spare parts & optimization equipment
- maintenance & related products
- vehicle decorations
Machinery
- power machinery and electric power
- general machinery, small processing machinery and accessories
- general machinery
- small processing machinery
- industrial parts
- instruments
- camera instruments
- printing apparatus
- household sewing machines & spare parts, weaving supplies
- transport equipment
- car repairing equipment
- construction and agriculture machinery (indoor area)
- construction and agriculture machinery (outdoor open area)
- large machinery & equipment
- large machinery production
- lines of various light industry products
Hardware & tools
- hardware: furniture & decoration hardware, locks and fittings, wire meshes, welding materials, low-pressure valves, water-heating equipment, castings and forgings, fasteners, sundry hardware, other hardware products
- tools: tools for measuring, grinding, welding, cutlery, cutting, and farming; manual tools, electric tools, pneumatic tools, hydraulic tools, mechanical tools
New material & chemical products
- inorganic & organic chemicals
- agricultural chemicals
- dyes, pigments, paints, and intermediates
- plastics and plastic products
- rubber and rubber products
New energy vehicle & smart travel
New energy:
- solar photovoltaic products & parts, solar cells and modules, photovoltaic engineering and systems, raw materials, production equipment, application products
- solar-thermal products: heater, heat pump, collector, solar air conditioner
- wind power products and accessories
- other new energy resources products
Canton Fair Phase 2
The second phase of the Canton Fair is focused on general consumer goods (household products, personal care products), gifts, toys, furniture, and festive products. Phase 2 dates: October 23-27, 2025.
Source：Exhibition Section Floor Map-138th Canton Fair
Building materials
- building and decorative materials
- building materials: general building materials, coatings/chemistry, pipe fittings
- decoration materials: tiles, wood floor, ceiling/curtain wall/wallpaper and indoor decoration, ceiling/curtain wall/wallpaper and indoor decorations, doors & windows, stone materials, glass
- kitchen equipment: kitchen units, cabinets, washing basins, kitchen hanging storage
- sanitary and bathroom equipment
Consumer goods
- stainless steel containers, enamel containers
- dining table items and decorations
- kitchenware
- tableware, kitchenware, and daily use ceramics for family use & hotel use
- other tableware, kitchenware, and daily-use ceramics
- cleaning products
- general houseware
- personal care products
- cosmetics and accessories
- skin-care products
- hair-care products and accessories
- tooth care products
- nail beauty supplies
Gifts
- clocks, watches & optical instruments
- clocks
- clock & watch parts
- watches
- spectacles & accessories
- polystyrene crafts
- traditional Chinese art crafts
- jewelry, bone carvings and jade sculptures
- marketing gifts and premiums
- paper and wrappings
- party supplies & decorations
- holidays supplies and decorations
Home decorations
- artistic ceramics
- craft ceramics
- horticultural and gardening ceramics
- glassware
- glass decorations
- other glass artware
- weaving, rattan, and iron arts
- bamboo crafts, wood crafts, grass crafts, wickerwork
- rattan and iron artworks
- decorative candles, candle holders and related products
- paintings, painting frames, photo frames, mirrors
- desktop supplies
- door and window decorations, wall decorations
- artificial flowers
- flowers and nursery stocks
- dry/artificial flowers
- potted landscapes
- horticultural tools
- outdoor supplies
- horticultural supplies: plant accessories, necessary supplies, horticultural decorations
- fishes, birds and animals for display and decoration
- other horticultural supplies
- stone/iron decoration & outdoor spa equipment
- sculpture products of stone
- outdoor spa equipment and spares, swimming pool equipment
- furniture of traditional Chinese style
- furniture for domestic use
- hotel, office, school, hospital furniture
- outdoor furniture
- furniture for public places
- semi-finished and spare parts
Canton Fair Phase 3
Source：Exhibition Section Floor Map-138th Canton Fair
The third phase of the Canton Fair brings together exhibitors of textiles and clothing, footwear, home textiles, office supplies, sports products, medical devices & medicines, and food. Phase 3 dates: October 31-November 4, 2025.
Other consumer goods
- mother & infant products
- personal care appliances
- pet products & food
- toiletries
- bathroom products
- bath appliances
Toys
- baby toys
- electromotive, remote-controlled and clockwork toys
- action toys
- educational games & toys
- plush and cloth toys
- dolls
- children’s ride, baby carriages, mini bicycles
- musical toys
- inflatable toys
- other toys and toy accessories
Textiles & garments
- women’s clothing
- men’s clothing
- eveningwear and wedding dresses
- uniforms, work suits, and others
- tops, skirts, trousers, dresses, coats
- infant and maternity wear
- underwear, nightgowns, pajamas, bathrobe, home wear
- sports and casual wear
- furs, leather, down & related products
- fur & fur products
- leather & leather products
- down & down products
- cashmere & cashmere products
- other products
- fashion accessories and fittings
- home textiles
- bed linen, mosquito nets
- home decoration textiles
- bathroom textiles
- table textiles
- other textiles
- textile raw materials, yarns & fabrics; garments, accessories
- carpets & tapestries
- machine-made carpets
- handmade carpets
- tapestries
- other flooring materials
Shoes
- men’s shoes, women’s shoes
- sports shoes
- kids’ shoes
- shoes & boots for other special use and semi-finished products
Office supplies, cases & bags, and recreation products
- pens & inks
- file storage
- office supplies
- paper products
- labels
- desk decorations
- office automation products & equipment, consumable office supplies
- cases of daily use
- briefcases
- bags
- other cases, bags, and accessories
- sports, travel, and recreation products
- sports products: indoor & outdoor sports products, water sports & diving equipment, sports souvenirs
- travel and recreation products: fishing tools, barbeque tools, casual outdoor products, musical instruments, games of chess and pokers, outdoor tour articles
Medicines, medical devices, and health products
- medicines, health products and medical devices
- health products
- hairdressing and beauty care products
- home medical care products
- reproductive health products and equipment
- health and rehabilitation equipment
- medical dressing, disposable consumable material
- diagnostic and therapeutic equipment
- various surgical & medical electronic instruments
- clinical laboratory instruments
- hospital auxiliary devices
- disinfection and sterilization products, oxygen-making and supply equipment, blood bank facilities, water treatment equipment, low-temperature freezing facilities
- equipment for the disabled
- telemedicine system, hospital information system, hospital office automation system, hospital application software
- protection devices and protection devices for nuclear radiation
- hospital general devices, hospital beds, hospital ambulances, stretchers, and other first-aid articles
- various operating tables and specialized equipment
- medicine monitoring and analysis devices
- laboratory biological instruments
- medical furniture
The Online Canton Fair Platform
Since its introduction in 2020, the Canton Fair has become a permanent hybrid event, complementing the on-site fair with a robust online platform. Unlike the physical event, the online fair is not divided into phases, giving buyers continuous access to exhibitors from all industries throughout the entire duration.
The online platform for 2025 will be activated alongside the on-site event. Once launched, registered buyers can leverage the following key features (please note, some features may be time-limited):
- Browse Comprehensive Catalogs: Explore a full directory of exhibitors and their products.
- Connect Directly: Communicate with suppliers across all product categories.
- Curate Your List: Save and manage a list of favorite products.
- Attend Live Streams: Watch product demonstrations and interact via chat (especially active during the on-site fair dates).
- Schedule Virtual Meetings: Book one-on-one appointments with exhibitors.
- Post Sourcing Requests: Announce your purchasing needs to attract suitable suppliers.
2025 Canton Fair Exhibitors & Product Catalog
Each edition of the Canton Fair features approximately 25,000 exhibitors, representing a premier selection of Chinese suppliers. A key advantage is that many of these high-quality manufacturers are not found on major B2B platforms like Alibaba. Attendees can consistently discover groundbreaking products that are new to the global market.
The fair's official online catalog is comprehensively organized into 55 sections across 13 major product categories. The most innovative products are recognized with prestigious awards such as the Canton Fair Design Award (CF Award).
A Key Sourcing Strategy
When you find a product of interest in the catalog, we highly recommend contacting the supplier to discuss custom modifications. This approach allows you to develop a unique product for your market, creating a significant competitive edge. Crucially, remember to negotiate exclusivity for the product design in your target market to protect your investment.
How to Register for the Canton Fair 2025
Registration for overseas buyers to attend the Canton Fair is free of charge. If you already have an account from a previous fair, you do not need to create a new one.
Step-by-Step Online Registration Guide:
1.Visit the registration page at: cantonfair.org.cn/en-US/register/index
2.Select “Overseas Buyer” (unless you are based in Mainland China).
3.Choose the appropriate option based on your situation:
“I have a buyer badge”: If you have attended before and already have a buyer badge. You can verify using your badge number or ID, then set your email and password.
“I don’t have a buyer badge”: If you are a first-time attendee or do not have an existing account.
“Login”: If you already have an account and wish to sign in directly.
4.If you selected “I don’t have a buyer badge”, complete the required registration form, agree to the terms and conditions, and click “Submit”.
After submitting, we recommend verifying your email address and completing your profile information to unlock full access to the online platform’s features.
How to Get Your Canton Fair 2025 Badge
1.Register Online: Complete your free overseas buyer registration on the official website.
2.Collect Your Badge: First-time visitors must exchange their registration for a physical IC Buyer Badge.
Pro Tip: Collect your badge at an off-site location (e.g., certain hotels) if available to save time.
3.Bring Required Documents: When collecting your badge, you must present:
Your original passport
A paper copy of your registration confirmation
Note: Forgetting these documents will incur a service fee of approximately $5. On-site registration costs around $20.
Communicating Effectively with Suppliers at the Fair
To make the most of your interactions with exhibitors, keep the following tips in mind:
Before the Fair:
- Schedule Appointments: Where possible, pre-arrange meetings with key suppliers to ensure dedicated time for discussion.
- Prepare Your Materials: Bring plenty of business cards and a notebook for taking notes. A professional touch is to use both hands when giving or receiving business cards in China, and always review a received card before storing it respectfully.
- Plan Your Questions: Prepare a list of key questions covering lead times, minimum order quantities (MOQ), production capabilities, and other relevant details.
During the Fair:
- Communication Aids: While basic English is often spoken at exhibition stands, having a translation app like Google Translate or Pleco can be very helpful for more complex discussions or navigating the city.
- Document Your Visit: Take a camera to capture products and displays, but always ask for permission before photographing samples or specific items.
- Focus on Information Gathering: Aim to get a rough idea of pricing during the fair, but plan to negotiate final terms afterward to save time and allow for careful consideration.
After the Fair:
- Follow Up Promptly: Send follow-up emails to reaffirm your interest and continue discussions.
- Verify Before Ordering: Remember that you are under no obligation to place an order on the spot. Take time to evaluate your options and, crucially, verify the legitimacy of any new business partner before proceeding—especially since high-profile events like the Canton Fair can attract unreliable parties. We offer potential partner verification within 48 hours to support your due diligence.
How to get to the Canton Fair
Getting to Guangzhou
Guangzhou has an international airport, but direct flights from the US/Europe are very limited (some of the options are London LHR, Paris CDG, Amsterdam AMS, Frankfurt FRA, and New York JFK).
How to get to Guangzhou from Hong Kong
If you land at Hong Kong International Airport, take the MTR train to the Hung Hom Railway Station, then a train to Guangzhou East Station (2 2-hour trip).
How to get to Guangzhou from Beijing
To get from an airport in Beijing to Guangzhou, choose a flight to Guangzhou (3 hours).
How to get to Guangzhou from Shanghai
If you land at Shanghai Pudong International Airport, take a domestic flight to Guangzhou (over 2 hours).
Our tip: Google Maps does not work well in China, so if your phone runs on Android, download Baidu Maps.
