The Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, held biannually (in Spring and Autumn) in Guangzhou, is one of the biggest trade shows where manufacturers from a variety of industries in China and other parts of the world gather to display their latest products and services. Prior to 2023, the Canton Fair had been halted for 3 years and was being held online. In January of 2023, China finally eased its travel restrictions and with that, the Canton Fair is finally back to being held in-person!
In this article, we will answer some of the basic questions you may have about the Canton Fair, such as When, Where, How, and some important additional tips.
When is the Canton Fair 2023?
The Canton Fair is divided into 3 phases, each featuring different industries, with each phase lasting 5 days.
The dates for Phase 1 of the Canton Fair are April 15th to April 19th and this phase will feature manufacturers in the following industries: Electronics and Home Appliances, Lighting, Vehicles and Accessories, Machinery, Hardware Tools, Building Materials, Chemical Products, and Energy.
The dates for Phase 2 of the Canton Fair are April 23rd to April 27th and will mainly exhibit products such as daily consumer goods, gifts, home decorations, etc.
The dates for Phase 3 of the Canton Fair are May 1st to May 5th and this final phase is will feature products such as textiles and clothing, footwear, luggage and leisure products, medicine and healthcare, food, and confectionary.
Where is the Canton Fair?
The Canton Fair is held on Pazhou Island in Guangzhou (formerly known as Canton), a city in the southeast part of China. Guangzhou shares a land border with Shenzhen, which links Hong Kong to mainland China. The exhibition center, divided into 3 large halls (A,B, and C) is the largest in Asia, with the total indoor space occupying around 338,000 square meters and the outdoor space occupying around 43,600 square meters.
The Canton Fair is a 15-minute drive from Zhujiang New Town, the “new city center,” which features a host of five-star hotels such as the Four Seasons, The Ritz Carlton, as well as an array of international dining options.
How can we attend the Canton Fair in 2023?
Foreign business owners or enthusiasts alike are allowed to visit the Canton Fair. With China easing it’s Covid travel restrictions for international visitors, more regular flights are available in and out of the country. However, visa requirements may vary from nationality to nationality, therefore it is advisable to start planning as soon as possible.
Once you have obtained your visa, simply register yourself on the official website, https://www.cantonfair.org.cn/en-US, and you are good to go! The cost to obtain a “badge”, your entry card, is a one-time fee of 150 RMB (around USD $22), and can be used throughout all 3 phases.
Once inside Guangzhou, any taxi driver will be able to take you to the venue, conversely the metro/subway is another convenient mode of transportation and is directly connected to the venue.
Additional Tips:
1. Mandarin is the most spoken language in China, and although you’ll manage without speaking it inside the convention center, you will most likely require the assistance of a translator outside of it, as English is not as widely spoken.
2. Obtaining the Chinese visa will be easier than it has been in the past two to three years, but working with a travel agent may ease the process.
3. Come with a plan (and business cards!). The official website will present a full list of manufacturers present at their booth details. Use this information to make a list of suppliers you wish to meet so that you are not left aimlessly wandering the massive convention center! Business cards are important because hundreds of thousands of visitors flow through the venue and this becomes the only way a manufacturer can store your information.
5. Download WeChat! WeChat is the all-in-one application used by all the citizens of China and can fulfil just about any and all needs. From booking a taxi or airline tickets, to ordering food to basic translating . Having it will be crucial to making your stay in China more pleasant.
5. Food options are only present in the form of fast food such as McDonald’s or KFC, hence it is advisable for people with special dietary needs to arrange their own food.
6. The venue itself is massive and based on how long you stay inside, you can be expecting to walk tens of thousands of steps, so be prepared.
7. Upon departure, taxis are available outside the venue however the expected wait times can be anywhere from 10-60 minutes. Hence it is advisable to pre-book transportation to and from the venue to avoid wasting time and energy.
Being that Eleven International is present in Guangzhou (and has been for the past two and a half decades), we have vast knowledge about the Canton Fair, obtaining the Chinese visa, and other business services such as translating, procurement of goods, customs clearance, etc.
