Canton Fair Guide

Where can you find a supplier you can trust?

Are you looking for new fashion selling items to increase selling?

Do you want to know Canton Fair?

Well, if you answered yes to all or any of the questions then the Canton Fair is perfect for you.

from below, you will have all the information about the Canton Fair and provide helpful tips for your business. let’s get started:

Chapter 1: Information about Canton Fair

in this Chapter you will get information about the Canton Fair, let’s dive into:

1.1: What is the Canton Fair?

The full name of the Canton Fair is also  China Import and Export Fair. It was first introduced in 1957 and is held twice a year(in April and October)

Well, Canton Fair just happens to be the largest supplier trade show in the world! Yup, that’s true until today. Over 25000 vendors and 18000 buyers attending the fair and it holds 124 times already. in the Canton Fair, you can find every product you need and you can compare it very quickly.

Here are some statistics for the past 2018 year:

2018 year 124th Canton Fair

1.2 Where is the Canton Fair?

Since the Canton Fair has been running for more than 6 decades now it has its own place which is the China Import and Export Fair Complex in Guangzhou. The Canton Fair address is No. 382 Yuejiang Zhong Road, Guangzhou.China.

Now there are different gates and entrances of the fair so don’t think you’ll only find it in one street. The fair is so big that it occupies multiple buildings across different streets. So make sure to study the Canton Fair location before going. It’s not about getting lost outside but you might get lost inside amongst the thousand exhibitors.
Where is the Canton Fair?

1.3 Canton Fair Official Website

To find out more of the details in the Canton Fair, visit their website at http://www.cantonfair.org.cn. You will find dates, schedules, maps and even a complete service offer from booking a hotel to getting a translator in the site.]

1.4 Canton Fair Dates and Hours

Each year there are three (3) phases of the fair. These phases are categorized and held on different dates each period.

Spring Session, 125th Canton Fair – April 15 to May 5, 2019

Phase 1: April 15 – 19, 2019 9:30 – 18:00

Phase 2: April 23 – 27, 2019 9:30 – 18:00

Phase 3: May 1 – 5, 2019 9:30 – 18:00

Autumn Session, 126th Canton Fair – Oct 15 to Nov 4, 2019

Phase 1: October 15 – 19, 2019 9:30 – 18:00

Phase 2: October 23 – 27, 2019 9:30 – 18:00

Phase 3: October 31 – November 4, 2019 9:30 – 18:00

1.5 Phases of the Canton Fair

on the below, you will the Canton Map and find every product exhibit in which hall:

Phase 1 : April 15-19, 2019  9:30-18:00

• Consumer Electronics and Information Products(Hall:4.1/5.1/ 3.1/ 5.1Y)
• Electronic and Electrical Products(Hall:10.3/11.3)
• New Energy Resources(Hall:10.3)
• Household Electrical Appliances(Hall1.2/2.2/ 3. 2/ 4.2/ 5.2)
• Lighting Equipment(Hall12.2/13.2)
• Bicycles(Hall16.2)
• Motorcycles(Hall12.1/13.1)
• Vehicle Spare Parts(Hall2.1/6.1/7.1/6.0/2.1Y)
• Vehicles(Hall13.0)
• Power and Electrical Equipment(Hall 3.1/3.1Y)
• Construction and Agricultural Machinery(Hall 1.1/2.1/1.1Y)
• Construction and Agricultural Machinery(Hall 4.0)
• Hardware(Hall 15.3/16.3/14.4/15.4/16.4)
• Tools(Hall 14.1/15.1/14.2/15.2/16.2/14.3/15.3)
• Building and Decoration Materials( Hall 9.1/9.2/10.2/11.2)
• Sanitary and Bathroom Equipment(Hall 10.1/11.1/12.1)
• Chemical Products(Hall 14.4)
• International Pavilion(Hall 5.2/9.3)
• Construction and Agricultural Machinery(Outdoor)(Hall 5.0/9.0/12.0)
• General Machinery, Small Processing Machinery and Industrial Accessories(Hall 7.1/8.1/8.0/2.1Y/3.1Y/4.1Y)

Phase 2 : April 23-27, 2019  9:30-18:00

• Kitchenware & Tableware(Hall 1.1/2.1/3.1/4.1/6.0/6.1/1.1Y/2.1Y/3.1Y)
• General Ceramics(Hall 1.2/2.2/3.2/4.2/5.1Y)
• Household Items(Hall 14.3/15.2/15.3/16.3/14.4/15.4/16.4)
• Personal Care Products(Hall 16.2)
• Toiletries(Hall 16.3)
• Clocks, Watches & Optical Instruments(Hall 5.2)
• Toys(Hall 14.1/15.1/14.2/15.2)
• Gifts and Premiums(Hall 9.1/10.1/11.1/9.2)
• Festival Products(Hall 11.1/12.1/13.1)
• Art Ceramics(Hall 4.2/5.2/5.1Y)
• Glass Artware(Hall 6.1/7.1/8.1/8.0/3.1Y)
• Weaving, Rattan and Iron Arts(Hall 4.0/8.0)
• Home Decorations(Hall 9.3/10.3/11.3)
• Gardening Products(Hall 4.1/5.1/4.1Y/5.1Y)
• Stone/Iron Decoration & Outdoor Spa Equipment(Hall 9.0/12.0/13.0)
• Furniture(Hall 9.2/10.2/11.2/12.2/13.2)
• Pet Products & Food(Hall 5.2)

Phase 3 : May 1- 5, 2019  9:30-18:00

• • Men and Women’s Clothes(Hall 2.1/3.1/4.1/5.1/7.1/8.1/1.1Y/3.1Y/4.1Y/5.1Y)
  • Kid’s Wear(Hall 8.1)
  • Underwear(Hall 6.1)
  • Sports and Casual Wear(Hall 1.1/2.1/2.1Y)
  • Furs, Leather, Down & Related Products(Hall 6.1)
  • Fashion Accessories and Fittings(Hall 4.0/8.0)
  • Home Textiles(Hall 14.1/15.1/14.2/15.2/16.2/14.3/15.3/16.3)
  • Textile Raw Materials & Fabrics( Hall 16.3/14.4/15.4/16.4)
  • Carpets & Tapestries(Hall 16.4/5.1Y/1.1Y)
  • Shoes(Hall 9.1/10.1/11.1/12.1/13.1)
  • Office Supplies(Hall 1.2/2.2/3.2)
  • Cases and Bags(Hall9.2/9.3/10.3/11.3)
  • Sports, Travel and Recreation Products(Hall 3.2/4.2/5.2)
  • Medicines, Health Products and Medical Devices(Hall 10.2/11.2)
  • Food(Hall 12.2/13.2)
  • International Pavilion(Hall 11.2/15.1)
  • Traditional Chinese Specialties(Hall 6.0)

1.6 Who Should Go to the Canton Fair?

• If you want something new and want to develop new products or search for new hot selling items. most companies release their products first during the fair before it goes public.
• If you’ve already search suppliers from Alibaba and want to save times, save money. Alibaba and Ali Express are popular sourcing websites for online sellers around the world. But let’s be frank: conducting product research online and weeding through the dozens of potential suppliers is incredibly time-consuming. However much time you think it will take, triple it. Luckily, you don’t have to watch your time drain away as you spend months searching online. After just 7 days in China, you’ll find a unique product to sell online and you’ll enjoy the comfort of knowing you’ve set the foundation for a life-long relationship with a supplier you can trust. You won’t have to wait for weeks on end for your supplier to email you. You won’t have to give your money to a complete stranger. You’ll get to interact face-to-face with your supplier, something that sellers who source products online rarely get the chance to do.

• If you want to change your supplier and can’t find a reliable one over the internet. you can communicate with suppliers, Being able to see, touch, and test products with the supplier right in front of you offers wonderful advantages,

• If you are importing a lot of goods for your business. then you can need to go to find more market information.

Chapter 2: Prepare Before Going-how to get canton fair invitation and prepare Visa application?

So the question now is how to get an invitation letter to apply for Visa and get Canton Fair buyer badge? Now that you have decided to be a “buyer” then it’s time to go to the fair. Getting a buyer badge is all you need. To help you get ready, here are a few steps we have prepared for you.

before you register, for our friendly advice, we suggest you get a new email address or an email address you are prepared to be spammed after. Make sure you use this new email address in the business cards you will be carrying with you, too. Second friendly advice, use another email provider besides Google because if you don’t know yet, Google is banned and blocked in China. So get another map application too besides Google Maps just to be sure.

During registration, you will be asked where you would pick up your buyer badge. So decide if you’re staying or coming from Hong Kong or should you just pick it up in Guangzhou. There are hotels in Guangzhou who are accredited to print buyer badges. You may be booking one of them so check before you register. pls check the website.

After you register, you will receive a Canton Fair Invitation through your email. You can use this for a visa application to go to China.

2.1Visa Application for China

Should you want to get a business visa, you may use the invitation received. But if you plan to just go on a tourist visa you may not have to show the invitation. Depending on your country, it is better to apply ahead. Based on those who have gone to the fair, they received their Visa at most 3 weeks from application.

If you plan to keep coming back to the fair or in China, we suggest you apply for multiple entry visa.

2.2 Getting your Canton Fair Buyer Badge

After your registration, you need to get a buyer badge so you can get in and out of the fair. You may do this on-site or pick it up before going. Remember, if you get it on site, expect a line up especially on the first day and that could mean half to an hour wasted waiting in line.

Here are the things you need for your buyer badge:

• A recent passport size photo
• Your passport
• A business card
• b. Personal documents (More details please see notes)

In the registration, you have already chosen where to pick up your buyer badge. It would also be better if you print out your buyer badge should they send it to your email. If you have accidentally lost your buyer badge, you may claim a copy in the fair but expect to spend half an hour or more. Plus there’s also a minimal fee for it. And if you decide to not pick up your badge in Hong Kong and just go straight, too the same fee applies.

2.3 Plan Your Trip Ahead

The key is to be ready for your trip. If you are planning to go and just see what they have, you might be overwhelmed. If you have existing suppliers and want to meet them or want to change them, then prepare a good checklist. Yes, we suggest a checklist!

If you have been doing e-commerce for a while and want to level up this time, then you already know what you are looking for. If you’re new in your business and don’t know what to purchase out, it is still better to set priorities. Because based on the things you want to see in the fair, you will know which phase you would be going. So make a list of the things you want to see. This will help you sort the suppliers and manufacturers you would be talking to.

Visa application takes time for those who need it so months is better than weeks. Register and apply for your visa at least 6 weeks before you go. Booking your hotels and flights would be the same.

Chapter 3: Canton Fair Airport, Hotels and Transportation

3.1 Canton Fair Airports

option 1: If it’s your first time to go to China, the closest Canton Fair airport is accessible through the Guangzhou Baiyun Airport. The Guangzhou Baiyun Airport is still about 40-50 minutes drive away from the Canton Fair location.

Option 2: you also can fly to HongKong airport.

and from Hongkong airport to Hongkong West Kowloon Station need about 30 minutes.

then you can take High-Speed Rall from the Hongkong West Kowloon Station to the Guangzhounan Station. This would take about one hour.

from Guangzhounan to Canton Fair complex is about 26.2km. (by the way, you also can choose the bus directly from the airport)

3.2 Hotels Around the Canton Fair

Guangzhou is the third largest city in China with more or less 10 million people so there are many hotels. You would have to do due diligence in finding the best hotel based on your budget. Logistically, the nearest hotels are the best ones for the fair. But this also means they are the most expensive with some reaching up to $500 a night.

Here you will see the nearest hotels in pink fonts.

The best hotels we would recommend would be those along Metro 8 or Line 8 because this is the subway that passes along the Pazhou or Xingang Dong stations. These are the stations that are directly on the side entrances of the fair. It is best to stay near so you can commute back and forth.

Local Transportation Around the Fair

1.The Metro

As stated above, the Metro train is the best option for easy access to the Canton Fair. Besides this will help you avoid expensive hotels. The train fare is not even expensive and you can buy unlimited passes or reloadable cards.

Here you will see which exhibits are nearest to each subway station.

Visit the Canton Fair website and look for the layout to find the exhibits under each color.

2. Use Hotel Buses

Shuttle buses are also offered by most hotels. Make sure to ask if this is available upon booking your hotel. Shuttle buses have a specific pickup and drop-off location and time. So know when and where you should be waiting for your shuttle buses. These shuttle buses are generally free of charge.

3. Car Services are Didi

Just like Uber or Grab, the available car service in China is called Didi. You may opt to use this service but keep in mind that most drivers don’t speak English. So if you can’t communicate where you should get pick-up you may end up having no car at all. Use this service if you’re confident enough to be able to communicate with the driver. The advantage is that you’ll less likely be scammed. You can see on the map where you are going and the fare is fixed.

4.Last Resort – Taxi

If you plan to just take a taxi, we have to warn you that most drivers may ask for 100 Yuan in advance or might take you around before getting to your hotel. Should you have to use a taxi, make sure they know your hotel. If not, get another taxi until you find the right one. Also, make sure to note if the meter is running, you might get to pay more because he forgot to turn the meter on.

Chapter 4: What to Wear and Bring in the Fair?

1.comfortable Clothes and shoes: The average low and high temperatures in April are respectively 19 °C (66 °F) and 25 °C (77 °F), and you can bring suitable clothes. then You have to start imagining that this means walking and walking around the fair. So decide the best footwear for you.

2.bring your exhibit map. You will find this in the Canton Fair website. This would go hand in hand with your checklist. Make a checklist of the things you want to see in the fair and plan it according to how they are arranged in the exhibit map. There are thousands of exhibitors and you don’t want to be going around anywhere.

3.Your business card. You should have enough to give to suppliers you talk to. A business card at hand means a serious buyer. Bring a lot because you might have a different expectation when you arrive.

4. bring a bag. This would be to carry all of the materials you’ll accumulate, and it is also for catalogues and samples. And we mean big bags or a backpack.

5. bring a notebook and 2 pens. Suppliers and manufacturers may be giving you their business cards but it is better to note what they offer and to note important details discussed. This will help you sort their differences and which would best fit your needs.

6. Your badge and/or registration approval.

7. A fully charged cell phone for photo purposes, ideally with backup power supply. you will photo for interesting items during the fair.

And in case you wondering if you need to bring an interpreter or translator? You don’t really need to. With hundreds of thousands of foreign buyers coming in each year, these suppliers and manufacturers have English speaking staffs.

Translators

If you simply plan to go to the Canton Fair and do business, there is nothing to worry about. Most of the owners can speak English and at least one of their team members can speak English, too. They won’t be able to sell if they can’t, right? So they know the need that someone would be able to articulately explain deals with their buyers. But if you want someone to translate for your own language, you may check the Canton Fair website for translation services.

Internet and Communication

By now, you already know that Google, Gmail, and Facebook are all blocked in China. WeChat is their counterpart for Facebook and you may find other Chat applications should you need to communicate outside. If your phone is not locked to your carrier you may simply purchase a local sim when you get to China. Another option is to purchase a VPN (Virtual Private Network) service app. Just make sure to test it out before you get there. Also, most hotels provide wifi. But if you’re thinking of connecting to the free wifi at the Canton Fair complex, you might get frustrated on how slow it is. Well, just imagine, that everyone in there is trying to connect to it.

ATMs, Money Exchange, and Credit Cards

ATMs are widely used in China. Though Credit Cards can be used in hotels and some big business establishments, going around China means little cash at hand. Thus the ATMs. The ATMs do good and better exchange rates so we suggest you do money exchange there. If you want to do it over the counter, make sure you go with a reliable store or mall.

Chapter 5: Tips for visiting Canton Fair and negotiation with vendors

1.Negotiation with Suppliers

Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Most of the suppliers and manufacturers are happy to explain their process and price. If you want a price list, chances are they will quote you directly during the fair or maybe email this to you later, Not because they don’t want to give it but they simply don’t want competitors to know.

For Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ), most would quote large numbers that you may not need. Simply ask how to go about having trial bulk orders first and how many would you often need. Suppliers are always willing to listen and negotiate. If you also can’t decide which among their products would be good for your business, ask them the top-selling items. They are more willing to share this with you.

Another, don’t expect samples to be given away. If you’re interested to get samples, you may opt to go on the last day at the last hours. But if you really think about it, you’re doing a last minute shop and you won’t have ample time to talk to them. Samples are usually given when you visit their factories and when they see you as a serious buyer.

2. How to Save Time in the Fair?

If you think you could just walk in and walk around the fair to start your search, you are already about to waste your time. Well, you will definitely find something but you will be amazed at the number of suppliers in the fair. So here are some steps we suggest:

1.we suggest you create your checklist. Before you even get to the fair, have a list of suppliers and research about them. You can find the manufacturers list from the Canton Fair website.  Get to know more about them. Most of them have websites or listings where you can find what they offer.

2. List down your questions and take note of your priority suppliers.

• Where is the Supplier based? Who are their main customers?
• What is a trial order quantity?

• What is the exact detail of this product (hopefully you know the important specifications), what is the hot selling item and new items?
• Can I make it in Pantone colour/size and if so, how much does it cost?
• Do products have any test certificate?
• carton size to calculate the freight cost: What are the package dimensions? How many items per carton?

3. Check in Time: Canton fair opening time is 9:30 so you can go earlier than 9:30 and no have many peoples, and time from 9:40-10:00 have lot peoples to checking in. it is waste a lot of time.

3.Importing From China

After going to the fair and talking to the supplier,  and you also need a supplier to send you a sample to test the quality, then you might think all is well. Typically that is true. But depending on the items you’re importing, make sure to calculate the total cost: products cost+ freight cost+importing tax +importing local charge to see whether is worth to import.

you also can discuss importing regulations with the supplier. Make sure to know all details and fees before deciding to sign a contract with them.

Conclusion

if you have any question about Canton Fair or you need help during the Canton Fair, you can add my WhatsApp: 86-18960356383. Superain umbrella has attended the fair every year. we are happy to help you!