Canton Fair 2026 (139th) Guide: Dates, Venue, Registration

The Canton Fair, also known as the China Import and Export Fair, is one of the largest and most important trade fairs in the world. The 139th Canton Fair will be held in April 15 to May 5, 2026. If you’re planning to attend, this guide covers all the details you need.

When is 2026 Canton Fair: Dates & Phases

Credit: Canton Fair Official

The 2026 Canton Fair will run from April 15 to May 5, 2026, and it is divided into three phases (with break days between phases for booth changes). Here are the exact dates for each phase:

• Phase 1: April 15 – April 19, 2026 (focus on electronics, home appliances, auto parts, lighting, hardware, and machinery)
• Break Days (Phase 1 to Phase 2): April 20 – April 22, 2026
• Phase 2: April 23 – April 27, 2026 (focus on household ceramics, home goods, kitchenware, furniture, and decorative materials)
• Break Days (Phase 2 to Phase 3): April 28 – April 30, 2026
• Phase 3: May 1 – May 5, 2026 (focus on textiles, clothing, shoes, bags, food, toys, and medical supplies)

The fair is open daily from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM. It’s best to check the official website a week before your visit to confirm any small changes to the schedule.

Where is Canton Fair Venue 2026

The 139th Canton Fair will be held at the Canton Fair Complex (Pazhou Complex) in Guangzhou, China. The exact address is No. 380 Yuejiang Middle Road, Haizhu District, Guangzhou.

This is the permanent venue of the Canton Fair, with large exhibition halls (A, B, C, D zones) that can accommodate tens of thousands of exhibitors and visitors. The complex is well-equipped with facilities like rest areas, restaurants, ATMs, and information desks to make your visit convenient.

How to Get to the Canton Fair 2026

The Canton Fair Complex is well-connected by metro, bus, taxi, and even ferry. Here are the easiest ways to get there, depending on where you are from:

From Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport

• Metro: If you come from Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, take the North Extension Line of Metro Line 3 to Jiahe Wanggang Station, transfer to Line 3 to Kecun Station, and then transfer to Line 8 to Xingang East Station (Exit A). The whole journey takes about 1 hour and the cost is about RMB 10. This is the most cost-effective way.
• Taxi: The journey takes approximately 40 - 60 minutes (depending on traffic conditions) and the cost is approximately RMB 150 - 200.

From Guangzhou South Railway Station

• Subway: Take Metro Line 2 to Changgang Station, transfer to Line 8 to Xingang East Station (Exit A). The whole journey takes about 30 minutes and the cost is about 7 yuan.
• Taxi: It takes about 25 - 40 minutes and costs about 80 - 120 yuan.

From Guangzhou Railway Station

• Subway: Take Metro Line 2 to Changgang Station, transfer to Line 8 to Xingang East Station (Exit A). The whole journey takes about 25 minutes and the cost is about RMB 5.
• Taxi: It takes about 20 - 30 minutes and costs about 50 - 80 yuan.

From Pazhou-Hong Kong-Macao Passenger Ferry Terminal

If you are from Hong Kong, you can take a ferry to Pazhou Pier (adjacent to the Guangzhou Expo Complex). The complex is about 10 minutes 'walk from the terminal building, or you can take the tram to the East Convention and Exhibition Station.

On-Site Transportation

The Canton Fair Complex is large, so there are free shuttle buses between the different exhibition zones (A, B, C, D) to help you move around quickly.

How to Register for the 2026 Canton Fair (For All Visitors)

Source from cantonfair.net

Registration is mandatory for all visitors, and it’s done online. The process is simple and free for international buyers (first-time and regular). Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Pre-Registration Period

Pre-registration opened on February 14, 2026. You can register anytime before the start of the phase you plan to attend (it’s recommended to register at least 2 weeks in advance to avoid delays).

Step 2: Registration Channel

You can register through either of these two official channels:

• The official Canton Fair website (https://www.cantonfair.org.cn/)
• The official Canton Fair APP

Step 3: Registration Steps

• For First-Time Buyers: Create an account on the official platform, fill in your personal information (name, passport number, company name, contact details), upload a photo of your passport, and submit the application. You can also apply for the official invitation letter during this process (needed for visa applications).
• For Regular Buyers: Log in with your existing account (from previous Canton Fairs), update your personal and company information if needed, and confirm your registration. You can also apply for the invitation letter again if required.

Step 4: Confirmation

After submitting your registration, you will receive a confirmation email within 3-5 working days. Save this email – you will need it to pick up your visitor badge at the fair.

Canton Fair Tickets & Badge 2026: How to Buy and How Much?

Choose your Buyer Badge

The “ticket” for the Canton Fair is actually a visitor badge, which allows you to enter the exhibition halls during the phase you registered for. Here’s the details about price and how to get it:

For International Buyers (First-Time & Regular)

Registration and the visitor badge are free. After completing pre-registration, you can pick up your badge at the following locations:

• The Canton Fair Complex (registration office at Exit A, Xingangdong Station, Metro Line 8)
• Designated hotels in Guangzhou (e.g., Guangdong Asia International Hotel, Dong Fang Hotel) – some offer nighttime service (21:00 to 7:00 the next day) on April 14, 22, and 30)

When picking up the badge, you need to show your original passport and the pre-registration confirmation email.

For Chinese Mainland Visitors (Non-Exhibitors)

Chinese mainland visitors need to buy a visitor badge, which costs 100 RMB per person per phase. You can purchase online through the official website or APP, or you can purchase on-site at the Canton Fair Exhibition Hall. When receiving or purchasing a badge, you need to present a valid ID card.

Important Notes

• Guest badges are non-transferable, you cannot lend them to others.
• This badge is only valid for the period of your registration. If you want to participate in multiple stages, you need to register and receive a badge for each phase.

Canton Fair Requirements: What Do You Need to Attend?

The requirements to attend the 2026 Canton Fair depend on your nationality and visitor type, but here are the basic things you need to prepare. It’s simple – no extra complicated documents, just the essentials:

For International Visitors (Non-Chinese Citizens)

• Valid Passport: You must bring your original valid passport (valid for at least 6 months from your visit date). This is the most important document for entry.
• Visa (If Required): Most foreign visitors need a Chinese visa to enter China. You can apply for a business visa (M visa) at the Chinese embassy or consulate in your country. The Canton Fair official invitation letter can help with your visa application – you can apply for it during the pre-registration process (see Section 4).
• Pre-Registration Confirmation: All international visitors (both first-time and regular buyers) must complete pre-registration before the fair (details in Section 4). You will receive a confirmation email after registration, which you need to show when picking up your visitor badge.

For Chinese Mainland Visitors (Excluding Exhibitors)

Chinese mainland visitors who are not exhibitors need to apply for a visitor badge (details in Section 5: Tickets). You only need to bring your valid ID card (ID card for adults, household registration certificate for minors) when picking up the badge.

Important Note Children under 16 are not allowed to enter the exhibition halls, except for infants who need to be carried by adults (you may need to show the child’s birth certificate or passport).

3 Phases of the 2026 Canton Fair (What to Expect)

The 2026 Canton Fair (139th) has 3 main phases, each focusing on a different product category. Here are your expectations for each phase:

Phase 1: Advanced Manufacturing & Industrial Products

This phase is open to buyers interested in industrial and high-tech products. You will find electronics (consumer electronics, information products), home appliances, auto parts, lighting, hardware, tools, machinery, and even new energy products. There is also a special service robot area for this phase to show robots for home, medical and commercial uses.

Phase 2: Quality Home & Decoration Products

If you’re looking for home goods and decoration items, Phase 2 is for you. It includes household ceramics, kitchenware, home appliances (small ones), furniture, bathroom equipment, decorative materials, gifts, and festival supplies. This phase is popular among buyers in the home and retail industries.

Phase 3: Daily Life & Consumer Products

Phase 3 focuses on products related to daily life and consumption. You’ll find textiles, clothing (men’s, women’s, children’s), shoes, bags, food, toys, medical supplies, and sports equipment. There’s also a smart medical zone in this phase, featuring medical robots and intelligent health products.

In addition to the 3 phases, the fair also has an online platform that operates year-round, so you can connect with exhibitors even after the offline fair ends.

[10% OFF] Hotels Near the 2026 Canton Fair

There are many hotels near the Canton Fair Complex, ranging from budget to luxury. It’s recommended to book your hotel 1-2 months in advance, as rooms fill up quickly during the fair period.