The 140th China Import and Export Fair - commonly called the Canton Fair - will take place in Guangzhou in October and November 2026. Pakistani buyers should choose their phase before booking travel because each phase displays different product categories.
Official Autumn 2026 dates
| Phase | Dates | Main focus |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | 15-19 October 2026 | Advanced manufacturing, electronics, machinery, vehicles, new energy, lighting, hardware and tools |
| Phase 2 | 23-27 October 2026 | Housewares, gifts, decoration, building materials, sanitary products and furniture |
| Phase 3 | 31 October-4 November 2026 | Fashion, textiles, footwear, bags, toys, baby products, food, health, personal care, office and sports products |
The fair is held at the China Import and Export Fair Complex, No. 382 Yuejiang Zhong Road, Guangzhou.
Phase 1 product categories
Phase 1 is best for industrial and technology-focused buyers. Official sections include:
- Household electrical appliances.
- Consumer electronics and information products.
- Industrial automation and intelligent manufacturing.
- Processing machinery and equipment.
- Power machinery and electric power.
- General machinery and mechanical basic parts.
- Construction and agricultural machinery.
- New materials and chemical products.
- New-energy vehicles and smart mobility.
- Vehicles and vehicle spare parts.
- Motorcycles and bicycles.
- Lighting equipment.
- Electronic and electrical products.
- New-energy resources.
- Hardware and tools.
Pakistan examples: solar and battery businesses, fan and appliance manufacturers, auto-parts importers, machinery buyers, hardware wholesalers, lighting retailers, packaging factories and industrial suppliers.
Phase 2 product categories
Phase 2 is strongest for home, construction, hospitality and gift businesses. Official sections include:
- General ceramics.
- Kitchenware and tableware.
- Household items.
- Glass artware.
- Home decorations.
- Gardening products.
- Festival products.
- Gifts and premiums.
- Clocks, watches and optical instruments.
- Art ceramics.
- Weaving, rattan and iron products.
- Building and decorative materials.
- Sanitary and bathroom equipment.
- Furniture.
- Prefabricated house and courtyard facilities.
Pakistan examples: furniture dealers, tile and sanitary importers, kitchenware businesses, wedding and gift suppliers, hotel procurement companies, home-decor sellers and construction-material traders.
Phase 3 product categories
Phase 3 covers a broad range of consumer products. Official sections include:
- Toys.
- Children, baby and maternity products.
- Kids' wear.
- Men's and women's clothing.
- Underwear.
- Sports and casual wear.
- Furs, leather, down and related products.
- Fashion accessories and fittings.
- Textile raw materials and fabrics.
- Shoes.
- Cases and bags.
- Home textiles.
- Carpets and tapestries.
- Office supplies.
- Medicines, health products and medical devices.
- Food.
- Sports, travel and recreation products.
- Personal-care products.
- Toiletries.
- Pet products and food.
- Traditional Chinese specialties.
Pakistan examples: apparel brands, textile businesses, footwear and leather-goods importers, sports companies, toy sellers, medical distributors, cosmetics businesses, stationery wholesalers and food importers.
Which phase should you attend?
Choose the phase that contains your main commercial category, not the phase with the cheapest flight. Use this simple rule:
- Products with a motor, circuit, industrial function or energy component: start with Phase 1.
- Products for the home, building, decoration, kitchen or furniture: start with Phase 2.
- Products worn, consumed, used for health, children, sport, beauty or office: start with Phase 3.
Some businesses need two phases. A home-appliance retailer may combine Phase 1 and Phase 2. A textile business selling bags, shoes and clothing can normally focus on Phase 3. A construction supplier may need Phase 1 for machinery and Phase 2 for finishes.
Step-by-step: how to attend from Pakistan
Step 1: Define your product and buying goal
List the exact products, specifications, target quantity, target FOB price, target landed cost and intended Pakistani market. This determines phase, supplier shortlist and travel duration.
Step 2: Create an overseas buyer account
Register through the official Canton Fair buyer system. Use the same name and passport details that will appear in your visa application and travel documents.
Step 3: Pre-register and apply for the buyer badge
Upload the requested photograph and company/identity information. The official buyer guide says pre-registration is available year-round.
Pre-registered overseas buyers can collect the buyer badge at designated locations, including the airport, Guangzhou South Railway Station, Pazhou Ferry Terminal, designated hotels and registration offices at the complex. Carry your original passport.
Step 4: Apply for a Canton Fair invitation if needed
The official Canton Fair invitation can be used as a supporting document for a China visa. It is requested through the official Buyer E-Service Tool and is free of charge. Approval and issuance are handled through the Canton Fair system.
For Pakistani business visitors, a Canton Fair Invitation Letter is one of the invitation routes recognized for the M visa under the current Chinese Embassy instructions.
Step 5: Prepare the China visa application
Select the visa application location based on permanent residence:
- Sindh and Balochistan: Karachi.
- Punjab, except Rawalpindi: Lahore Visa Application Service Centre, with the application handled by the Embassy in Islamabad.
- Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan: Islamabad.
Complete the application and upload documents online. Wait for online approval. After receiving the Visa Application Certificate, submit the passport and required original documents at the relevant centre.
Step 6: Book flexible travel and accommodation
Book flights and hotels early because prices increase during fair dates. Where possible, use changeable bookings until your visa is issued. Staying near Pazhou saves time, while Tianhe and Yuexiu can offer more dining and city options with a longer commute.
Step 7: Shortlist exhibitors before arrival
Use the official platform to search products and exhibitors. Create a daily hall plan and arrange meetings with priority suppliers.
Step 8: Arrange translation and factory visits
English may be sufficient for simple booth discussions, but a Mandarin translator is valuable for technical details and negotiation. Factory visits should be arranged in advance, especially in Guangzhou, Foshan, Dongguan and Shenzhen.
Step 9: Prepare payment and import compliance
Speak to your Pakistani bank, freight forwarder and customs adviser before travel. Understand the likely HS code, import restrictions, duties, sales tax, regulatory certificates and payment method. Do not promise an order until you understand landed cost and compliance.
Documents to carry to Guangzhou
- Original passport and China visa.
- Canton Fair registration and invitation records.
- Buyer badge collection confirmation.
- Hotel and return-flight details.
- Travel insurance.
- Business cards.
- Digital and printed product brief.
- Existing supplier quotations.
- Company profile and registration details.
- Power bank and charging adapters.
- Copies of key documents stored securely online.
How many days should you stay?
For one phase, allow at least five fair days plus travel and arrival time. A practical business itinerary can include:
- Arrival and orientation day.
- Three to five days at the fair.
- One or two days for factory visits.
- Departure or an extension to Foshan, Dongguan, Shenzhen or Yiwu.
Attending two phases requires a longer stay because there are gap days between phases. Use those days for factory visits, market visits and supplier follow-up rather than treating them as idle time.
Buyer badge questions
Is pre-registration required?
Overseas buyers are strongly advised to pre-register. It reduces delays and supports advance badge processing.
Is the pre-registered buyer badge free?
The official 2026 attendance guide states that pre-registered overseas buyers can collect the buyer badge free of charge at designated registration locations.
Can someone else collect my badge?
The badge is tied to the buyer's identity. Carry the original valid passport and follow the official collection requirements.
Visa and invitation questions
Does the Canton Fair invitation replace the visa?
No. It supports the visa application but does not permit entry by itself.
Is the invitation free?
The official Canton Fair states that its online invitation application is free of charge. Private agents may charge for assistance, document preparation or other invitation routes.
Does an invitation guarantee approval?
No. The Embassy or Consulate has full authority over the decision, validity, entries and permitted stay.
ChinaChallo Autumn 2026 delegation
ChinaChallo is accepting applications for phase-matched Autumn 2026 delegations. The service is designed around Pakistani importers and manufacturers and can include visa-document coordination, buyer registration, flights, hotel, halal arrangements, bilingual support, transport, factory meetings, sourcing strategy and post-trip follow-up.
Apply with your product category and ChinaChallo will recommend the most relevant phase or combination.
Official sources for this update
- Canton Fair, 2026 Attendance Guide for Overseas Buyers.
- Canton Fair official invitation service.
- Canton Fair official exhibition categories.
- Chinese Embassy in Pakistan, current visa instructions.
Dates and sections can be adjusted by the organizer. Verify the official Canton Fair platform before final travel. ChinaChallo is not a government authority and cannot guarantee visa issuance.
ChinaChallo is not an embassy, consulate or government department. Visa rules, fees, processing times and fair arrangements can change. This page is informational and is not a promise of visa approval, supplier performance or customs outcome. See official sources.