Canton Fair 2026: Dates, Phases & Schedule for Buyers

Canton Fair at a Glance

~30,000

Exhibitors

310,000+

Buyers per session

210+

Countries represented

1.18M m²

Exhibition area

2

Sessions per year

3

Phases per session

139th Spring Session

April 15 – May 5, 2026

Phase 3 overlaps with Labor Day holiday (May 1–5). Expect heavier traffic and hotel price spikes.

Phase	Dates	Product Categories
Phase 1	April 15–19	Electronics, Machinery, Vehicles, Hardware, Building Materials, Lighting
Phase 2	April 23–27	Home Décor, Gifts, Consumer Goods, Ceramics, Furniture
Phase 3	May 1–5	Textiles, Garments, Shoes, Office Supplies, Medical Devices, Food

Online registration opens: ~February 2026

140th Autumn Session

October 15 – November 4, 2026

Starts right after Golden Week (Oct 1–7). Factories reopen Oct 8 — don't expect samples before Oct 13.

Phase	Dates	Product Categories
Phase 1	October 15–19	Electronics, Machinery, Vehicles, Hardware, Building Materials, Lighting
Phase 2	October 23–27	Home Décor, Gifts, Consumer Goods, Ceramics, Furniture
Phase 3	November 1–4	Textiles, Garments, Shoes, Office Supplies, Medical Devices, Food

Online registration opens: ~August 2026

Planning Timeline for Buyers

First-time attendees underestimate prep time. Here's when to do what:

4–6 Months Before: Research exhibitors, plan which phases to attend, apply for visa
3 Months Before: Book flights + hotels (prices triple closer to fair), register on cantonfair.org.cn
2 Months Before: Prepare product requirements list, identify target booths, arrange interpreter if needed
2 Weeks Before: Print business cards (both sides: English + Chinese), confirm appointments with exhibitors
During the Fair: Collect samples, negotiate MOQs, get factory audit reports. Don't commit on Day 1 — compare across booths.
After the Fair: Follow up within 48 hours. Suppliers meet 500+ buyers — if you wait, they forget you.

Holiday Conflicts to Watch

Canton Fair dates deliberately avoid Chinese New Year and National Day, but they bump into other holidays:

Holiday	2026 Dates	Conflict
Labor Day	May 1–5	Overlaps Spring Phase 3 entirely. Hotels are 2x more expensive. Book early.
Golden Week	Oct 1–7	Ends 8 days before Autumn Phase 1. Factories reopen Oct 8 but need ramp-up time.
Qingming	April 4–6	9 days before Spring Phase 1. Confirm pre-fair sample shipments early.

Costs & Budgeting

Item	Budget Range	Notes
Flights (US/EU)	$800–$2,000	Book 3+ months ahead. Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN) is the nearest airport.
Hotel (per night)	$80–$200	Near Pazhou Complex: $150–200/night during fair. Cheaper in Tianhe district.
Interpreter	$100–$200/day	Optional but recommended for first-timers.
Meals	$15–$30/day	Don't eat at the fairgrounds — prices are 3x and quality is poor.
Admission	Free	Pre-registration required on cantonfair.org.cn.

Take Action Before the Shutdown

Find Suppliers

Search verified Chinese manufacturers on Alibaba. Place orders now — don't wait until pre-CNY rush.

Search Alibaba.com

Book Freight

Container spot rates typically rise 20–30% before CNY (Freightos data). Lock in rates early with a freight forwarder.

Compare Freight Rates

Automate Date Checks

Integrate our free API into your ERP, scheduling tool, or dashboard.

View API Docs

FAQ

When is the next Canton Fair?

The 139th Canton Fair (Spring) runs April 15 – May 5, 2026, in three phases. The 140th Canton Fair (Autumn) runs October 15 – November 4, 2026.

How do I register for Canton Fair?

Register online at cantonfair.org.cn. Registration typically opens 2–3 months before each session. You'll need a passport and business email. Some phases fill up — register early.

Which phase should I attend?

Phase 1 for electronics, machinery, and hardware. Phase 2 for home goods, gifts, and furniture. Phase 3 for textiles, garments, and food. If you source across categories, plan for multiple phases.

How does Canton Fair relate to Chinese holidays?

The Spring session Phase 3 overlaps with Labor Day (May 1–5). The Autumn session starts right after Golden Week (Oct 1–7). Plan around these holidays — factory samples may be delayed, and travel gets more expensive.

How much does it cost to attend Canton Fair as a buyer?

Admission is free for registered buyers. Your main costs are flights ($800–2,000 round-trip from US/EU), hotels in Guangzhou ($80–200/night, higher during fair weeks), and an interpreter ($100–200/day if needed).

Can I attend Canton Fair online?

Yes — since 2020, Canton Fair offers an online platform where you can browse exhibitors, request quotes, and video-call suppliers. However, in-person attendance gives you sample access and better negotiation leverage.

Get 2027 Factory Dates First

China's State Council announces next year's holiday schedule in November–December. We'll email you within 2 hours of the announcement with updated shutdown dates, order deadlines, and working day counts.

No spam. One email when 2027 dates drop, plus a monthly China business calendar. Unsubscribe anytime.

Canton Fair 2026: Dates, Phases & Buyer Planning Guide