Your complete guide to attending the Canton Fair 2026

The Canton Fair  is set to return to Guangzhou from 15 April. This marks the biannual import and export fair’s 139th edition since its founding in 1957. Over the past seven decades, it’s grown from a trade happening to a bona fide spectacle, and one of the biggest events in the region. 

Expect to see movers and shakers from all sorts of industries flocking to tens of thousands of booths sprawled across a gigantic complex – all in pursuit of the next big thing to make their business stand out. Among them, you’ll also find us stationed on the ground with a dedicated service counter alongside our friends from Hong Kong International Airport. 

From what to bring to how to get there with Cathay, here’s everything you need to know. 

When to go

The Canton Fair is divided into three phases, each dedicated to different industries and held on separate dates. It’s important to check ahead of time which phase is most relevant to you.

Phase 1 (15-19 April): Electronics, electrical appliances, machinery, tools, new energy and vehicles.

Phase 2 (23-27 April): Home products, furniture, gifts, decorations and building materials. 

Phase 3 (1-5 May): Consumer goods, textiles, personal care products, medical supplies, toys and food.

You can learn more about each phase here .

Applying for the Canton Fair

Buyers can register for the fair here , while those based in Hong Kong can download a pre-registration form and follow the steps outlined here  to secure an entry badge. Following your successful registration, you’ll be sent a QR code to collect your badge at the Canton Fair. 

You can pick up your entry badges in locations across Guangzhou, including Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport Terminals 1 and 2, the arrivals hall of the Pazhou Ferry Terminal, or the fair’s affiliated hotels.

If you plan to get your entry badges at the Canton Fair Complex, you’ll need to pre-register and apply for a letter of invitation  (for Chinese Mainland visa applicants) on the website’s Buyer e-Service System Tool . Applicants will be able to check the approval status, then download and print out their “Return Receipt of Buyer Card Pre-registration” within three to seven working days, which they’ll need to present at the fair along with a passport photo and a business card. 

How to get to the Canton Fair Complex…

The Canton Fair is hosted biannually at the China Import and Export Fair Complex , commonly referred to as the Canton Fair Complex.

For those travelling in from overseas, we operate a Direct Air+Sea connection – this allows you to combine your flight to Hong Kong with a direct ferry from Hong Kong International Airport’s SkyPier to Pazhou, where the Canton Fair is held.* Simply book your journey with us and list your final destination as “Guangzhou, Pazhou Ferry Terminal (PFT)” and we’ll take care of your baggage transfers.

We've also put together a full step-by-step guide to getting to Pazhou to make your journey easier. From Pazhou Ferry Terminal, the fair is just a short walk away. 

Other options include shuttle buses from Guangzhou Baiyun Airport Terminal 1 and 2 (every 30 minutes between 1–6 pm), hotel shuttles or taking the metro directly to Pazhou station on Line 8.

…and enjoy an effortless journey home

Want to check in early for your ferry back to Hong Kong? Need some guidance on navigating Pazhou Ferry Terminal? We can handle all of this and more from the Cathay booth at the Canton Fair, located in Area A, Pearl River Promenade (Service Floor), A-3-6. 

If you’re travelling with us, you’ll unlock a whole suite of perks at our booth, such as our baggage delivery service. You can check in your bags at our booth and have them delivered to Pazhou Ferry Terminal – a convenient option if you’re carrying lots of samples.

You can also book your ferry tickets to Hong Kong International Airport and check in for your next journey with us, all at our service counter. 

Handy tips

Ready for Canton Fair 2026? Get prepped with our in-depth breakdown of things to do before travelling to the Chinese Mainland.

Book your hotel as early as possible

They are more desirable than gold dust and become much more costly around the time of the trade event, so it’s advisable to reserve your room early.

Not sure where to stay? Check out our list of the best hotels near Canton Fair.

Visa requirements for Canton Fair

Look into your visa situation – and the 240-hour visa-free policy.  

Currently, foreign travellers from over 50 countries are eligible for 240-hour visa-free entry, on the condition that they don’t exceed their stay and have a confirmed departure ticket to another country.

Since policies can change, it’s best to check the latest updates directly with your local Chinese consulate or embassy before travelling. 

Download Alipay and WeChat

The Chinese Mainland’s shift away from physical cash makes digital apps such as Alipay  or WeChat  essential for payments, transport, food delivery and communication. Link your credit card to the Alipay app for seamless transactions, while WeChat doubles as a payment tool and networking platform. It’s a great idea to familiarise yourself with the app before you get to the fair. 

In addition, this year’s Canton Fair has embraced digital transformation, offering buyers and sellers a streamlined trade-matching ecosystem. Beyond digital catalogues, its new online experience  now features instant messaging, smart search tools and more features to make navigating the fair more efficient, transparent and aligned with responsible trade practices.

Dress for comfort and be ready to walk

The fair is vast, and you’ll easily find yourself walking thousands of steps over the course of your visit. Dress smart, wear comfortable shoes and bring an essentials kit with your badge, plenty of business cards, an umbrella, water bottle and portable charger. You’ll find everything you need, from outfits to gear, through our Milesback platform  and the Cathay Shop.

Strategise your mealtimes

Peak lunch times can be extremely hectic with people lining up at restaurants across the complex. If you can bear to have lunch an hour earlier or later than you normally would, it’s a great way to beat the queues.

Check out our favourite places to eat and drink near the Canton Fair Complex for more inspiration.

*Direct Air+Sea is available for selected routes on our website. For regions where this service is unavailable, please book via a travel agent. 

This story was originally published in August 2024 and updated in March 2026.

Video credit: Anydoko