Planning to attend the Canton Fair but not sure where to start? You’re not alone.
Every year, thousands of international buyers fly into Guangzhou with one goal in mind: to find reliable suppliers, discover new products, and build long-term sourcing partnerships. But before you can even step onto the showroom floor, there’s paperwork to prepare, a visa to secure, and some logistics to figure out.
The process isn’t complicated — but it can be confusing, especially if it’s your first time.
In this step-by-step guide, we’ll walk you through exactly how to attend the Canton Fair as a foreigner in 2025. From registration and invitations to visas, badges, and travel tips, you’ll learn everything you need to make your sourcing trip smooth, legal, and stress-free.
Let’s get you ready for China’s biggest trade event — the smart way.
📨 1. Do You Need an Invitation to Attend?
Yes — in most cases, you absolutely do.
The Canton Fair invitation isn’t just a formal “welcome” — it’s an official document issued by the China Foreign Trade Centre that you’ll need for two key reasons:
✅ 1. To apply for your Chinese business visa (M visa)
Most Chinese embassies and consulates require this document as part of your visa application. Without it, your chances of getting approved drop significantly.
✅ 2. To register and receive your Buyer Badge
The invitation allows you to pre-register online and skip long queues when collecting your badge. It also gives you access to the “registration express lane” at the fair.
Technically, you can try to attend without it — but you’ll have to register manually on-site, present multiple documents (like a business card and proof of business activity), and possibly pay additional fees. It’s slower, less secure, and riskier for first-timers.
Bottom line: If you’re a foreign buyer, getting your Canton Fair invitation is essential for a smooth and professional experience.
👉 You can apply for your official e-invitation via the Buyer E-Service Tool (BEST). It’s free and takes just a few minutes to register.
🛂 2. How to Get a Business Visa (M Visa) for the Canton Fair
If you’re attending the Canton Fair as a foreign buyer, you’ll almost always need to apply for an M Visa, also known as a Chinese business visa. This visa allows you to legally enter China for commercial purposes — including trade shows like the Canton Fair.
Here’s how to get yours:
📄 a. What Documents Do You Need?
To apply for an M Visa, you’ll typically need to gather the following:
- Official invitation letter from the Canton Fair (downloaded from the BEST platform)
- Valid passport (must be valid for at least 6 months after your trip)
- Completed visa application form (available on your local Chinese embassy/consulate website)
- Proof of business activity, such as a business card, company license, or a letter from your employer confirming your trip
🧠 Tip: Make sure your name, company name, and passport number exactly match the invitation and the visa form to avoid delays.
🌍 b. Where and When to Apply?
You’ll need to apply for your visa at the Chinese embassy or consulate in your country. Some countries also allow you to go through authorized visa centers.
We strongly recommend applying at least 4 to 6 weeks before the fair to account for:
- Processing delays
- Appointment availability
- Corrections if needed
Once your visa is approved, it’s typically valid for 30 to 90 days depending on your itinerary and embassy policies.
📌 Don’t wait — your visa is your gateway to China and the fair. The earlier you apply, the smoother everything else will be.
🎟️ 3. How to Register and Get Your Buyer Badge
The Buyer Badge is your official pass to enter the Canton Fair. Without it, you won’t get past the security gates — so don’t skip this step.
Luckily, getting your badge is simple if you prepare in advance.
🖥️ Step 1: Register Online via the BEST System
Once you’ve received your official invitation, go to the Canton Fair’s Buyer E-Service Tool (BEST):
👉 https://invitation.cantonfair.org.cn
Create your account and complete your pre-registration profile using:
- Your full name and passport number
- Company details
- Contact information
This will allow you to save time on-site and avoid manual paperwork.
🏷️ Step 2: Pick Up Your Buyer Badge On-Site
Once in Guangzhou, you can collect your badge from several official pickup points:
- Canton Fair Complex (Pazhou) – main registration hall
- Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport – designated badge counters
- Official partner hotels – usually in lobby areas during the fair period
🧠 These locations are clearly marked and usually open 1–2 days before each phase begins.
🧾 Step 3: Bring the Right Documents
To get your badge, you’ll need to present:
- Your valid passport (the same one used during registration)
- A printed or digital copy of your invitation letter
Pro tip: Bring a few business cards — they’re often requested and useful for networking too.
📌 Once issued, your Buyer Badge is valid for all future sessions of the Canton Fair — so take care of it! You can reuse it next time and skip the registration process altogether.
🧳 4. How to Travel to Guangzhou and Get Around
Getting to the Canton Fair is easier than you think — as long as you plan ahead. Guangzhou is one of China’s most accessible cities, with a major international airport, high-speed rail links, and a modern metro system that gets you directly to the fairground.
✈️ Fly into Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN)
Guangzhou’s international airport is well-connected to Europe, the US, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East.
Once you land, you have several options to reach your hotel or the fairground:
- Taxi (fastest but most expensive)
- Metro Line 3 → transfer to Line 8 at Kecun → exit at Pazhou Station
- Hotel shuttle buses (available from select official hotels)
🧠 Airport signage is in both Chinese and English — and the metro is tourist-friendly.
🚄 Arriving by Train?
If you’re already in China, you can also take a high-speed train to:
- Guangzhou South Railway Station (most common for long-distance lines)
- Guangzhou East Station (closer to downtown)
From there, connect to the metro or take a taxi directly to your accommodation or to the Canton Fair Complex.
🏨 Where to Stay
The Canton Fair attracts hundreds of thousands of buyers, so accommodation fills up quickly.
Here are some tips:
- Book early — ideally 4 to 6 weeks before your trip
- Stay near Pazhou or Haizhu districts for quick access to the venue
- Consider official partner hotels, many of which offer badge pickup, translation services, or shuttle buses to the fair
Popular international chains and local business hotels alike participate in Canton Fair services — just check their listing or call ahead to confirm.
📌 With your flight, hotel, and badge ready — all that’s left is to walk into the fair with confidence. Guangzhou is built to welcome global buyers like you.
📅 5. Understand the Canton Fair Phases and Dates
The Canton Fair is not a one-week event — it’s split into three distinct phases, each dedicated to specific industries. Choosing the right phase to attend can save you time, money, and ensure you meet the suppliers that match your sourcing goals.
🏭 Phase 1: Industrial Goods, Electronics & Machinery
🗓 2025 Dates: April 15–19
If you’re sourcing:
- Consumer electronics
- Smart appliances
- Tools and hardware
- Industrial equipment
- Renewable energy products
This is your phase. It’s B2B-heavy, ideal for large-scale sourcing and innovation-driven buyers.
🛋️ Phase 2: Home, Decor & Lifestyle Products
🗓 2025 Dates: April 23–27
Best for:
- Furniture and lighting
- Kitchenware and household items
- Gifts, stationery, and personal accessories
This phase is perfect for e-commerce sellers, retailers, and brands looking for trend-driven consumer goods with high perceived value and visual appeal.
👗 Phase 3: Apparel, Textiles & Healthcare
🗓 2025 Dates: May 1–5
Targeting:
- Clothing and fashion accessories
- Fabrics and raw materials
- Beauty products and wellness items
- Personal protective equipment (PPE)
If you’re launching a private label fashion line, sourcing textiles, or expanding into cosmetics and self-care — this is where you want to be.
🧠 Which phase should you attend?
It depends on your business type:
- Amazon seller? → Phase 2 or 3
- Industrial importer? → Phase 1
- Retail buyer or lifestyle brand? → Phase 2
- Fashion startup or wellness brand? → Phase 3
Choose the phase that matches your product line — not just your curiosity. You can always attend multiple phases if needed, but focusing on one makes your trip more efficient and impactful.
🤝 6. Why Work With a Sourcing Agent?
Attending the Canton Fair is a powerful opportunity — but it can also be overwhelming if you don’t speak the language, aren’t used to Chinese business culture, or don’t have time to vet suppliers in detail.
That’s where a sourcing agent makes all the difference.
💬 Language & Cultural Bridge
Most suppliers speak limited English. A sourcing agent ensures nothing gets lost in translation, from product specs to payment terms.
🧭 Full On-Site Support
With an agent like HAI International Holding, you get:
- Pre-registration and badge pickup assistance
- Personal guide at the fair who knows the layout and your goals
- Help planning booth visits and supplier meetings
📋 Supplier Screening & Negotiation
An experienced agent helps you:
- Ask the right questions
- Spot red flags and fake factories
- Negotiate better terms, payment conditions, and lead times
🚚 Logistics & Follow-Up
Sourcing doesn’t end at the fair. Your agent can:
- Collect and consolidate samples
- Organize inspections, packaging, and compliance
- Arrange shipping and follow-up communication with factories
Working with a sourcing agent saves you time, money, and costly mistakes. Instead of wandering the fair, you’ll move with a plan — and close better deals.
💡 7. Tips to Make the Most of Your Visit
The Canton Fair is huge — and exciting — but without a plan, you can easily get lost in the noise. Here’s how to make your trip more productive, more efficient, and ultimately more profitable.
🎯 Know What You’re Looking For
Before you land in Guangzhou, define:
- Your target product(s)
- Desired specs and features
- MOQ, certifications, and price range
This will help you filter suppliers quickly and stay focused.
🧠 Bonus tip: Create a simple one-pager with your sourcing criteria to show suppliers — it makes communication smoother.
🧾 Bring Business Cards and Take Notes
Your business card is your passport inside the fair. It’s required for registration and helpful for every interaction.
Also:
- Bring a notebook or tablet to record key supplier details
- Take photos of booths and products (ask permission)
- Write down first impressions right after each meeting
After visiting 20 booths in a day, trust us — you won’t remember everything unless it’s written down.
🧪 Test Samples and Ask the Right Questions
Don’t just look — touch, open, weigh, and ask real questions:
- What’s your MOQ?
- Do you offer OEM/ODM?
- What are your lead times?
- Can I visit your factory?
Red flags? Vague answers, inconsistent claims, or resistance to questions.
🧠 If something feels too good to be true — dig deeper or move on.
With the right preparation, the Canton Fair becomes more than a trade show — it becomes your most powerful sourcing trip of the year.
🎯 Conclusion: From Confused to Canton-Ready
Attending the Canton Fair as a foreigner might seem complicated at first — but once you know the steps, it becomes a smooth and rewarding experience.
Let’s recap what you need to do:
- Get your official invitation through the Buyer E-Service Tool (BEST)
- Apply for your business (M) visa using the invitation
- Pre-register and collect your Buyer Badge upon arrival
- Book flights and hotels early, ideally near the fairground
- Choose the right phase based on your industry
- Prepare your product specs, strategy, and business cards
- Work with a sourcing agent to save time and avoid mistakes
With these steps in place, you’ll walk into the Canton Fair not as a tourist — but as a professional, ready to build valuable supplier relationships and unlock long-term business opportunities.
👉 Need help with the process? Book your SINO Assistant today — and make your sourcing trip to China simple, strategic, and successful.
💬 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I need an invitation to attend the Canton Fair?
Yes — if you're applying for a business visa or want to pre-register and access the fair efficiently, an official invitation is required. You can request it for free through the Buyer E-Service Tool (BEST). Without it, you'll need to register manually on-site and may face delays or extra fees.
Can I get a visa without an invitation?
It's unlikely. Most Chinese embassies require an official invitation from the Canton Fair to approve a business (M) visa. Without this document, your visa application could be rejected or delayed.
Do I need to speak Chinese at the fair?
No, but it helps. Many suppliers speak basic English, especially in international zones. That said, for detailed negotiations or complex specs, having a sourcing agent or interpreter can save time and prevent miscommunication.
Is the Canton Fair open to individuals or only companies?
Technically, individuals can attend — but you’ll need to show proof of business activity (like a business card or company registration) to register. The fair is designed for professional buyers, not tourists or general visitors. Having a registered business makes the process smoother.
