Verified information source
Official Canton Fair Website
- Authority
- China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair)
- Official buyer system
- buyer.cantonfair.org.cn
Canton Fair China • Autumn 2026
Planning to Visit the Canton Fair 2026 from India?
From selecting the right Canton Fair phase and completing buyer registration to obtaining your invitation letter and preparing your China Business Visa application — Visadesk helps Indian business travellers understand the complete journey.
140th Canton Fair • Guangzhou, China
Official links and Visadesk assistance are different
Official links open organizer or visa-authority systems. Visadesk buttons request independent private guidance; they do not submit an organizer or government application automatically.
The world's business marketplace
What is the Canton Fair?
The China Import and Export Fair, widely known as the Canton Fair, is one of China's major international trade exhibitions. Held in Guangzhou, it brings together manufacturers, suppliers, exporters and international buyers across a wide range of industries.
IndiaGuangzhouCanton FairSuppliersBusiness opportunities
Product sourcing
Finding manufacturers
OEM/ODM discussions
Import opportunities
Supplier discovery
Machinery sourcing
Electronics
Home products
Building materials
Consumer products
Textiles
Fashion
Medical products
New product discovery
International business networking
140th Canton Fair • Autumn 2026
Canton Fair 2026 dates & phases
Each phase serves different sourcing sectors. Compare the official category groupings before registering and planning travel.
Phase 1
Advanced Manufacturing
15–19 October 2026
Household Electrical AppliancesConsumer ElectronicsInformation ProductsIndustrial AutomationIntelligent ManufacturingProcessing MachineryPower MachineryElectrical EquipmentGeneral MachineryEngineering MachineryAgricultural MachineryNew MaterialsChemical ProductsNew Energy VehiclesSmart MobilityVehiclesAuto PartsMotorcyclesBicyclesLightingElectronic & Electrical ProductsNew EnergyHardwareTools
Best for
Technology • Machinery • Electronics • Automotive • Industrial Buyers
Phase 2
Quality Home Life
23–27 October 2026
General CeramicsKitchenwareTablewareHousehold ItemsGlass ArtwareHome DecorationsGardening ProductsFestival ProductsGifts & PremiumsClocks & WatchesOptical ProductsArt CeramicsWeaving ProductsRattan ProductsIron ProductsBuilding MaterialsDecorative MaterialsSanitary EquipmentFurnitureIntegrated HousingOutdoor / Courtyard Products
Best for
Home • Furniture • Décor • Gifts • Construction • Lifestyle Buyers
Phase 3
Better Life
31 October–4 November 2026
ToysBaby & Maternity ProductsChildren's ClothingMen's ClothingWomen's ClothingUnderwearSportswearCasual WearFashion AccessoriesTextile Raw MaterialsFabricsShoesBagsHome TextilesCarpetsOffice SuppliesMedicinesHealth ProductsMedical DevicesFoodSports ProductsTravel & Recreation ProductsPersonal CareBathroom ProductsPet Products
Best for
Fashion • Textile • Healthcare • Food • Toys • Personal Care • Consumer Products
Interactive phase finder
Tell us what you source
Choose one product group. We recommend a phase only where it clearly maps to the official category breakdown.
Venue
Where is the Canton Fair held?
China Import and Export Fair Complex
No. 382 Yuejiang Zhong Road, Haizhu District,
Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
Fair hours: 9:30 AM–6:00 PM
Open in Maps
Overseas buyer registration
How to register for Canton Fair 2026
Use the official Buyer Service System and follow the fields and evidence currently requested there.
- 01
Create your buyer account
Visit the official Canton Fair Buyer Service System and register as an overseas buyer.
Register as Overseas Buyer - 02
Complete company information
Enter genuine company and business details that match your business records.
- 03
Complete personal information
Add the passport, photograph, contact, company and business-card details currently requested by the system.
- 04
Apply for the Overseas Buyer Badge
Open Canton Fair Badges, choose Overseas Buyer Badge, complete the required details and submit.
- 05
Select your phase
Choose Phase 1, 2 or 3 according to the products and suppliers relevant to your business.
- 06
Review and submit
Check every entry carefully, submit for verification and follow the status shown in the official system.
Entry credentials
How to get your Buyer Badge & QR code
The QR code supports the applicable badge verification and collection process. It does not itself replace the physical Buyer Badge.
- 1Buyer registration
- 2Complete personal + company details
- 3Submit Buyer Badge application
- 4Application review
- 5Badge number generated
- 6Open “Show QR Code”
- 7Carry QR code + original passport + business card
- 8Collect the physical Buyer Badge at an applicable registration location
QR code is not the physical badge
Show the applicable QR code with your original passport and company business card when instructed for badge collection. Collection locations and session-specific rules must be verified in the official system closer to the fair.
Open Official Buyer SystemKeep these ready for buyer registration
Purpose-of-travel support
How to get your Canton Fair Invitation Letter
Eligible overseas buyers can follow the applicable invitation workflow in the official Buyer Service System. Availability and exact screens may be updated by the organizer.
- 01Register or log in
- 02Complete the Buyer Badge application
- 03Complete company and personal information
- 04Select “Generate Invitation Letter Simultaneously” where currently available
- 05Submit the application
- 06After processing, open Invitation Letter → My Invitation Letters
- 07View, print or download the applicable Canton Fair invitation
Already attended before?
Returning overseas buyers can log in, open Invitation Letter → My Invitation Letters → Apply for Invitation Letter, confirm the information, submit, and complete the applicable phase attendance pre-registration.
Why the invitation matters
It can support the purpose-of-travel documentation for an applicable China business visa. It does not guarantee a visa; issuance remains with the relevant Chinese authorities.
Apply through Official Buyer SystemChina visa for Canton Fair
Which visa do Indians usually need?
For an eligible Indian business traveller attending for commercial or trade purposes, the relevant category is generally the M Visa — Commercial / Trade.
China M Visa
Intended for eligible applicants travelling to China for permitted commercial and trade activities. An applicable trade-fair or Chinese-entity invitation can form part of the supporting documentation.
Get China Business Visa Assistance
Interactive document checklist
China M Visa documents for Indian applicants
Use this to organize your file. The official checklist for your profile and submission location remains binding; profile-dependent travel evidence is not universally mandatory.
Basic documents
Business documents
Canton Fair documents
Profile-dependent travel support
Photographs should follow the latest official Chinese Visa Application Service Centre specifications; the commonly displayed format is 33mm × 48mm, colour, white background.
Commercial invitation contents
What should an applicable M Visa invitation contain?
For Canton Fair visitors, use the applicable official invitation generated through the buyer system. The current authority checklist determines what is accepted for each case.
Applicant information
- Full name
- Gender
- Date of birth
Planned visit
- Purpose
- Arrival and departure dates
- Places to visit
- Relationship with inviting organization
- Financial source for expenses
Inviting organization
- Organization name
- Contact number
- Address
- Applicable official stamp
- Authorized representative's signature, where required
India application journey
China visa application process
China introduced an updated online visa-processing system for applicants in India in December 2025. Use the current Visa Application Service Centre workflow instead of outdated appointment instructions.
- STEP 01
Register for Canton Fair
- STEP 02
Apply for Buyer Badge
- STEP 03
Generate or obtain the applicable invitation letter
- STEP 04
Prepare China M Visa documents
- STEP 05
Complete the official China visa application online
- STEP 06
Upload the required application materials
- STEP 07
Follow the applicable Visa Application Centre submission instructions
- STEP 08
Visa processing by the relevant authority
- STEP 09
Passport or visa collection
- STEP 10
Travel to Guangzhou and attend the fair
Official China visa source
Chinese Visa Application Service Center
Create or sign in to an account, complete the online form, upload current application materials and follow the status and physical-passport submission instructions shown by the official centre.
How long is a China Business Visa valid?
M Visas may be issued with different validity periods, number of entries and permitted duration of stay depending on the applicant, supporting documents, invitation, travel requirement and the authority's decision.
Single entryDouble entryMultiple entry
Visa validity is not the same as permitted duration of stay. Check both fields on the issued visa.
Recommended planning window
When should Indians start the Canton Fair process?
For Phase 1 starting 15 October 2026, applicants who have not begun should start as soon as practical. These windows are planning guidance, not official processing guarantees.
6–8 weeks before travel
- Research the fair
- Decide the phase
- Start buyer registration
- Prepare the company profile
- Check passport validity
- Plan travel
4–6 weeks before travel
- Complete Buyer Badge application
- Request the applicable invitation
- Prepare visa documents
- Draft company covering letter
- Prepare travel itinerary
Around 3–4 weeks before travel
- Aim to have the visa process underway
- Allow for document requests
- Account for holidays
- Keep review buffer
- Avoid final-week applications
Independent professional assistance
Going to Canton Fair? We can help with the process.
Canton Fair registration guidance
Buyer Badge registration guidance
Invitation Letter assistance
China Business Visa assistance
Visa Application Form assistance
Document checklist
Company covering letter guidance
Travel itinerary assistance
Flight assistance
Hotel assistance
Canton Fair travel planning
Before leaving India
Canton Fair travel checklist
Tap items as you prepare
Business preparation
Prepare before you enter the fair
Build a stronger sourcing visit
Original visual story
Experience the Canton Fair
Original AI-created exhibition scenes inspired by international sourcing and business travel. They are not official Canton Fair photography and contain no event logos or endorsements.
Continue your research
Useful Visadesk resources
Frequently asked questions
Canton Fair 2026 questions, answered
Planning to Attend Canton Fair 2026?
Let Visadesk help you prepare for Guangzhou — from choosing the right phase and understanding buyer registration to invitation-letter and China Business Visa assistance.
Important independent-service disclaimer
Canton Fair dates, product categories, registration procedures, invitation processes and buyer-badge requirements may be updated by the organizers. Always verify the latest information on the official Canton Fair website before travel.
Chinese visa requirements, validity, permitted duration of stay, processing times and document requirements are determined by the relevant Chinese authorities and may vary by applicant and application.
Visadesk Global LLP is an independent visa assistance service provider and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Canton Fair, China Foreign Trade Centre, Chinese Embassy, Chinese Consulates or Chinese Government unless explicitly stated. Visa approval remains solely at the discretion of the relevant Chinese authorities.