Canton Fair Autumn 2026: Dates, Phases, and What Indian Buyers Should Know

The Canton Fair (China Import and Export Fair) is the largest trade fair in China and one of the largest in the world, held twice a year in Guangzhou. For Indian buyers building a direct relationship with Chinese manufacturers, it's one of the few places to meet hundreds of suppliers across almost every product category in a single trip.

Autumn 2026 dates and phases

The 140th session runs October 15 to November 4, 2026, split into three phases by product category:

• Phase 1 (Oct 15-19): Electronics, appliances, machinery, tools, vehicles, new energy, lighting
• Phase 2 (Oct 23-27): Consumer goods, gifts, home decor, furniture, building materials, ceramics, gardening
• Phase 3 (Oct 31-Nov 4): Textiles and garments, shoes, bags, food, medical and health products, toys, office supplies

Each phase runs independently, so you only need to attend the phase matching what you're actually sourcing - trying to cover all three back to back is a long trip for most first-time buyers.

Why it's worth attending in person

• See and handle actual product samples instead of judging quality from photos
• Meet dozens of suppliers in your category in a few days, instead of weeks of back-and-forth messaging
• Negotiate pricing and MOQ face to face, which tends to move faster than over chat
• Spot red flags early - a supplier's booth, staff, and samples tell you a lot about how real the operation is

How to prepare

• Confirm the exact phase dates on the official Canton Fair website before booking travel - third-party schedules, including this one, can lag behind official updates
• Apply for your visa and any required fair invitation letter well in advance - this can take longer than expected for first-time applicants
• Bring business cards and a clear one-page summary of what you're sourcing - you'll repeat your pitch dozens of times a day
• Shortlist categories and halls ahead of time; the fair is large enough that wandering without a plan wastes real time
• Carry a portable charger and comfortable shoes - the halls are genuinely enormous

If you can't make the trip

Not every buyer can spend a week in Guangzhou. IndiaChinaB2B exists for exactly that gap - browse reviewed Chinese supplier profiles and product catalogues, and send inquiries directly, without needing to travel.