The Canton Fair is the largest trade show on earth — about 75,700 booths across 54 sectors, held twice a year in Guangzhou. For importers from Africa and the Middle East, it is where most of them meet their suppliers, and increasingly, where they plan their vehicle purchases too.
This guide covers the 140th Canton Fair (October 2026) step by step: dates, venue, registration, visa, budget, payment and sourcing tactics — with a section on combining the trip with vehicle buying in Dongguan.
1. 140th Canton Fair: Dates and Phases
| Phase | Dates (2026) | Theme | Key Sectors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | October 15–19 | Advanced Manufacturing | New Energy Vehicles & Smart Mobility, Vehicle Spare Parts, Machinery, Electronics, Construction & Agricultural Machinery |
| Phase 2 | October 23–27 | Quality Home Life | Ceramics, Furniture, Household Items, Gifts & Premiums |
| Phase 3 | October 31 – November 4 | Better Life | Textiles, Clothing, Food, Health Products, Sports & Travel |
| Intervals | Oct 20–22, Oct 28–30 | — | Fairground closed — best days for factory and vehicle-yard visits |
If your interest is vehicles: the automotive sectors are only on the floor in Phase 1 (October 15–19). Book that phase, and use an interval day for the Dongguan yard visit — 30 minutes by high-speed rail from Guangzhou.
2. Venue and Getting Around
The fair is held at the China Import and Export Fair Complex, Pazhou, Guangzhou — about 1.55 million m² of exhibition space. The complex sits on metro Line 8 (Xingang East station), with direct access to Guangzhou South Railway Station for connections to Dongguan, Shenzhen and the rest of the Pearl River Delta.
3. Registration and Badges (Free)
- Pre-register online — free, year-round, at cantonfair.org.cn.
- Get the badge — during the fair, badges are also issued at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, Guangzhou South Railway Station, the Pazhou Ferry Terminal and designated hotels.
- Bring your passport and invitation letter — the invitation letter from the fair system supports both your visa application and badge issuance.
4. Visa and Entry
Most buyers need a China visa. The Canton Fair buyer invitation letter materially supports the application — apply 6–8 weeks before departure. Some nationalities qualify for visa-free entry or transit arrangements; check with the Chinese embassy or consulate in your country before booking flights.
5. Budget and Payment
| Item | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| On-site expenses | RMB cash plus Alipay/WeChat Pay; international cards work at major hotels |
| Order settlement | USD quotes under EXW/FOB/CIF; T/T bank transfer standard, L/C for larger or repeat orders |
| Vehicle deposits | Typical 30% deposit (or full proforma payment for first-time buyers), balance against bill of lading |
| Contingency | Keep 10–15% above your order budget for port fees, inspection and inland logistics |
6. Sourcing Tactics for Importers
- Send your sourcing list before you fly — specs, quantities and target prices; book vendor meetings by phase in advance.
- Compare three quotes minimum — ask for the same FOB price with port handling itemised.
- Verify the supplier — business licence, export licences and, for used cars, the MOFCOM export filing.
- Never pay full amount on a promise — standard terms are deposit + balance against documents.
- Plan logistics before you negotiate — destination port, volumes and container strategy decide the price you can accept.
7. Adding Vehicle Sourcing to the Same Trip
China's used-car export cluster sits in Dongguan, about 70 km from the Pazhou fairground. In 2025, China exported approximately 615,000 used vehicles — up 41% year on year — to more than 160 countries. A single afternoon at a licensed Dongguan yard lets you inspect real stock, negotiate FOB pricing and lock shipping from Nansha Port — all while your fair trip is still on. Exhibitors at the fair sell vehicles too, but the wholesale price sits with direct suppliers: factory-level sourcing, a 25-year first-hand network and a yard stocked with BYD, Changan, Jetour, GAC and 30+ models, heavy on hybrids and new-energy units.
One-day combination (illustrative example only)
Morning: Phase 1 automotive zones at the fair. → Afternoon: rail to Dongguan, yard inspection, price negotiation. → Evening: order confirmed, shipping arranged from Nansha Port, back in Guangzhou the same night.
8. Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Canton Fair in 2026?
The 140th Canton Fair runs October 15 to November 4, 2026: Phase 1 October 15–19, Phase 2 October 23–27, Phase 3 October 31–November 4.
Is it free for buyers to register?
Yes. Pre-registration is free and open year-round on cantonfair.org.cn. Badges can also be issued at Baiyun Airport, Guangzhou South Station and designated hotels during the fair.
Which phase has automotive products?
Phase 1 (October 15–19) covers New Energy Vehicles and Smart Mobility, Vehicle Spare Parts, machinery and electronics.
Can African importers buy cars on the same trip?
Yes. Dongguan's used-car export cluster is about 70 km from the fairground — 30 minutes by high-speed rail — and a yard inspection plus order can be completed in one afternoon.
How do importers pay Chinese suppliers?
Orders are quoted in USD (EXW/FOB/CIF) and settled by T/T bank transfer, or L/C for larger orders. On-site expenses are easiest in RMB cash or Alipay/WeChat Pay.
What documents do I need to get a visa?
Passport plus a buyer invitation letter issued through the Canton Fair system. Apply 6–8 weeks ahead; confirm visa-free eligibility with your local Chinese embassy or consulate.
Published by Leo Car Export (Zhongqi Auto Overseas) — a licensed used-vehicle direct supplier at Liaobu, Dongguan. Factory-level wholesale pricing is backed by our founder’s 25 years of first-hand sourcing in China’s automotive trade, across BYD, Changan, Jetour, Toyota, GAC and 30+ models — with a deep stock of hybrids and new-energy vehicles. Every unit loads at Nansha Port, 40 minutes away, with dedicated freight partners for fast customs clearance. The Canton Fair floor is full of vehicles; the factory-yard wholesale prices are in Dongguan — about one hour from the fair by city rail or taxi.
Add a yard visit to your fair trip →Primary sources: Canton Fair official website · MOFCOM — 140th Canton Fair announcement · China Association of Automobile Manufacturers / China Automobile Dealers Association used-car export statistics (2025). Schedules and figures are indicative — verify with official channels before booking.