140th Canton Fair · Autumn 2026 · Guangzhou

The Canton Fair buyer checklist

Everything to do before, at and after the fair — written for Indian importers. Tick items off on your phone (saved on this device) or print it.

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🗓️ Decide and book

6–8 weeks before · 0/8

Pick your phasePhase 1 · 15–19 Oct — Advanced manufacturing: electronics, appliances, machinery, vehicles, lighting, hardware & tools. Phase 2 · 23–27 Oct — Quality home: ceramics, kitchenware, home décor, gifts, furniture & building materials. Phase 3 · 31 Oct–4 Nov — Better life: toys, fashion, textiles, shoes, bags, food, health & personal care.
Pre-register as an overseas buyer on the official Canton Fair websitePre-registering online is free and gets you the buyer badge reference and the invitation letter.
Download the invitation letter for your visaFrom your buyer account once the registration is approved.
Apply for the China business (M) visaInvitation letter, passport valid 6+ months with blank pages, photo, flight and hotel bookings. Allow 2–4 weeks; check the current rules with the Chinese Visa Application Service Center.
Book flights to Guangzhou (CAN)Direct, or via Hong Kong, Singapore or Bangkok. Fares rise as the fair gets closer.
Book the hotel nowRates jump in fair weeks. Stay near Metro Line 8 (Pazhou / Xingangdong stations) or where a fair shuttle runs.
Travel insurance with medical coverKeep the policy number in the app's safety section.
IEC and GST in placeYou need your Importer Exporter Code and GSTIN to import and to claim the IGST back.

2–4 weeks before · 0/8

Write your product listFor each product: specification, target landed price in ₹, quantity, quality must-haves, packing and labels.
Check India rules for each productHSN code, duty and IGST, and the certificates customs will ask for (BIS, WPC, EPR, FSSAI, CDSCO). Many goods can't be cleared without the factory's BIS licence.
Shortlist exhibitors from the directorySearch by product, category and hall; star the ones to visit and give each a day.
Print 200+ business cardsName, company, WhatsApp, WeChat, email — a Chinese line on the back helps.
One-page requirement sheetYour company intro plus specs, target quantity and price basis (FOB port). Hand it over at serious booths.
MoneyAn international card, some CNY cash, and Alipay or WeChat Pay linked to your card. Tell your bank you're travelling.
Phone and dataInternational roaming or an eSIM with data. Many Western and Indian apps don't work on local Chinese SIMs without roaming.
Install the appsWeChat (suppliers live on it), Alipay, a translator with offline Chinese, a map that works in China, and MyTripTrack added to your home screen.

The week before · 0/8

Passport, visa, printed invitation letter and hotel booking
Badge confirmation / registration reference
Business cards and requirement sheets
Comfortable shoesThe complex is huge — expect 10–15 km of walking a day.
Power bank in hand luggageUnder 100 Wh, never in checked bags.
Travel adaptorChina uses type A, C and I sockets — many Indian plugs don't fit.
Backpack or small trolley for catalogues, plus a tape measure
Medicines, a water bottle and snacksVegetarian food can be hard to find inside the halls — carry some ready-to-eat food.

On arrival in Guangzhou · 0/4

Collect your badgeTake your passport to the registration point a day early and skip the morning queue.
Check the routeMetro Line 8 to Pazhou or Xingangdong; note the hall entrances for your first booths.
Open fair mode once onlineThe exhibitor list and your plan download to the phone, then everything works with no signal.
Plan tomorrowHalls and booths for day 1, must-sees first.

During your phase · 0/6

Must-see booths in the morningBig suppliers get crowded after lunch.
Log every booth as you goBooth number, card photo, products, price with currency, MOQ, lead time.
Shortlist the serious ones and give them a dayMark Must have / Interested / Maybe so the evening review is quick.
Pace yourselfFewer, better conversations beat 80 rushed booths.
Evening: compare and follow upCompare the same product across sellers, then message your top booths on WeChat or email the same day while they remember you.
Keep the receiptsSnap taxi, meal and hotel bills into trip expenses as you go.

Weeks after · 0/9

Follow up within 48 hoursSend your requirement sheet and ask for a formal quotation (PI).
Compare landed cost, not unit pricePrice + freight + insurance + duty + IGST + CHA and port charges.
Order samples and test themUse an Indian lab if your product needs BIS registration.
Check the supplierBusiness licence, a factory video call, or a third-party audit for big orders.
Agree the PI in detailSpecs, packing, labels, inspection standard, delivery date and the penalty for delay.
Pay only the company's bank accountThe account name must match the supplier on the PI. A 'new bank account' email is a classic fraud.
Inspect before the balanceThird-party pre-shipment inspection (AQL sampling).
Freight and customsBook the forwarder and CHA, and have every certificate ready before the goods land.
Clear and claimFile the Bill of Entry, pay duty, then claim the IGST as input credit.

MyTripTrack turns this checklist into your fair plan — and keeps every booth you visit.

📒Find suppliers before you fly

Search 12,000+ Phase 1 exhibitors by product, hall and category; shortlist and plan them day by day.

📶Works with no signal

Booths, products, photos and prices save on the phone and upload when you're back online.

₹Every quote in rupees

Type USD or CNY at the booth; see the rupee price, then compare sellers cheapest first.

🛃India rules built in

HSN, duty, IGST and the BIS / WPC certificates customs asks for — per product category.