Canton Fair Tips for First-Time Visitors — Insider Guide 2025

Register before you arrive

Registration for overseas buyers is done online at the Canton Fair's official website (cantonfair.net.cn). Register in advance — do not wait until you arrive. Registration is free and gives you access to the online catalogue, invitation letter requests, and your buyer badge.

Your buyer badge (a physical card or QR code) is your entry pass to the fair. Collect it at the overseas buyer registration area at the venue on arrival. Bring your passport and a copy of your pre-registration confirmation.

Prepare your product shortlist before you arrive

The fair has tens of thousands of booths. Walking in without a plan wastes days. Before you fly, use this directory to search by category, filter by product type, and build a list of 20–50 exhibitors you want to visit. Note their booth numbers and hall locations.

Download or print the fair map for the relevant hall(s) and phase(s) you are attending. The physical map at the venue helps, but having one in advance lets you plan your walking route.

What to bring every day

Business cards — bring at least 200 per day. Exchanging business cards is a critical part of the introduction ritual at the Canton Fair. Have them in both English and Chinese if possible.

A large, sturdy tote bag or backpack — you will collect a large volume of brochures, catalogues, product samples and promotional materials. Many seasoned buyers bring an extra foldable bag.

Comfortable walking shoes. The halls are enormous — expect to walk 15,000–25,000 steps per day. Foot comfort is essential.

Portable charger for your phone. You will use your phone heavily for photos, notes, WeChat scanning and communication. Battery runs low by lunchtime.

WeChat — this is China's dominant messaging platform and the primary way exhibitors will follow up with you. Set up a WeChat account before you arrive and bring your personal QR code to share with suppliers.

Alipay or WeChat Pay — cash is used less and less in China. Set up Alipay (which now accepts foreign cards) or WeChat Pay for metro fares, meals, and small purchases.

Communication and language

Most exhibitor booths at the Canton Fair will have at least one English-speaking staff member during the fair — it is, after all, an international event. However, English proficiency varies widely. Bringing a Chinese-English translation app (Google Translate, DeepL or similar) is useful for communicating technical specifications.

A VPN is essential for accessing Google services, Gmail, WhatsApp and Instagram while in China. These services are blocked by China's 'Great Firewall'. Download and set up a reputable VPN app before you leave home — they cannot be downloaded from within China on the App Store or Google Play.

WeChat is the standard business communication platform in China. Add exhibitors on WeChat during the fair — this is more effective than exchanging business cards alone as it enables instant follow-up messaging, voice notes and file sharing.

Payment and money

China is largely cashless — WeChat Pay and Alipay are the dominant payment methods. Alipay now supports foreign payment cards (Mastercard, Visa, American Express) via the 'International' version of the app. Set this up before arrival.

ATMs in China generally accept international cards with a daily withdrawal limit of RMB 2,500–5,000. Currency exchange is available at the airport, major bank branches and official exchange counters.

Credit cards from foreign banks have limited acceptance at restaurants and taxis — rely on Alipay or have RMB cash for smaller vendors.

How to get the most from each booth visit

At each priority booth: exchange business cards and WeChat QR codes, photograph the company's product range and price list (ask permission first — most exhibitors welcome photos of their catalogues), ask about MOQs, lead times, and whether they do OEM/custom work, and collect the official catalogue and any spec sheets.

Do not negotiate prices on the show floor unless you are ready to commit. The purpose of the fair is to identify potential suppliers — negotiation on price happens via email and WeChat after you return home with full specs and quantities.

Rank each booth visit immediately after leaving: 'interested / maybe / not suitable'. By day three you will struggle to distinguish between companies you saw on day one without notes.

Food, rest and stamina

The Canton Fair Complex has multiple cafeterias and restaurants inside the halls, but quality varies and queues are long at peak times (12:00–1:30 pm). Many experienced buyers bring snacks and eat a light lunch inside to maximise time on the floor.

Guangzhou's culinary scene is exceptional — allow yourself at least one proper Cantonese dinner per day. Dim sum in the morning (Guangzhou's traditional yum cha culture) is an experience in itself.

Pace yourself. The fair runs for five days per phase. Many buyers exhaust themselves in the first two days and underperform on days three through five. Start each day with your highest-priority meetings and use afternoons for secondary exploration.