China Fair Guide

Fair calendar / Canton Fair

141st session · Guangzhou · April–May 2027, expected

Interpreters for the Canton Fair (China Import and Export Fair)

The Canton Fair runs each spring and autumn in three phases at the Canton Fair Complex in Pazhou, Guangzhou. Importers and sourcing managers come to meet exporting factories in every sector, from machinery to toys.

Book for the Canton Fair Ask on WhatsApp

Interpreters provided by Canton Interpreters · Guangzhou, since 2003

1.55million sqmexhibition area, 140th session (autumn 2026)
30,000+exhibitors expected at the 140th session, about 2,800 of them brand exhibitors
314,000overseas buyers at the 139th session (spring 2026)
220countries and regions

Figures are MOFCOM's, for the 140th and 139th sessions.

Dates and venue

April – May 2027expectedCanton Fair Complex, Pazhou

The organiser has not announced the 141st session (spring 2027) yet. The dates below follow the fair's usual spring pattern and will be replaced by the official dates when the notice is out.

  1. Phase 1about 15–19 April 2027

    140th session: advanced manufacturing (machinery, electronics, automation, new-energy vehicles, service robots)

    1. T15
    2. F16
    3. S17
    4. S18
    5. M19
  2. Phase 2about 23–27 April 2027

    140th session: quality home life (building materials, furniture, housewares, fashion jewellery)

    1. F23
    2. S24
    3. S25
    4. M26
    5. T27
  3. Phase 3about 1–5 May 2027

    140th session: better life (toys, children's products, apparel, food, medical devices)

    1. S1
    2. S2
    3. M3
    4. T4
    5. W5

The 141st grouping will be in the official notice.

Venue
Canton Fair Complex (China Import and Export Fair Complex), PazhouNo. 380 Yuejiang Zhong Road, Haizhu District, Guangzhou
Organiser
Ministry of Commerce of the PRC and the People's Government of Guangdong Province
Industry
Export goods across all sectors, in three phases
Official site
www.cantonfair.org.cn
Checked against MOFCOM's notice. Interpreters are provided by Canton Interpreters.
01

Dates and phases

The Canton Fair (China Import and Export Fair) runs twice a year, in spring and autumn, and each session has three phases at the Canton Fair Complex in Pazhou, Guangzhou. Each phase fills the halls with a different set of trades, so check the phase before you book flights.

For the 140th session (autumn 2026) the organiser grouped the phases like this: Phase 1 advanced manufacturing (machinery, electronics, automation, new-energy vehicles, service robots); Phase 2 quality home life (building materials, furniture, housewares, fashion jewellery); Phase 3 better life (toys, children's products, apparel, food, medical devices). The 141st grouping will be in the official notice.

02

Badges

  1. Pre-registerbuyer.cantonfair.org.cn, open all year
  2. Collect the badgeBaiyun Airport, Guangzhou South Station, Pazhou Port or a designated hotel
  3. Interpreter badgein the same buyer system, under your registration, at least two days before

Overseas buyers pre-register at buyer.cantonfair.org.cn, open all year, and collect the badge at Baiyun Airport, Guangzhou South Station, Pazhou Port or a designated hotel.

Your interpreter needs a badge too, and you apply for it in the same buyer system under your own registration, at least two days before the day you need it. Under the 139th session rules the organiser charged RMB 300 per day plus RMB 50, paid by you to the organiser. That is why the booking page takes Canton Fair dates from two days ahead and shows the badge fee in your quote.

03

Getting to the halls

  • Area AXingangdong station, Metro Line 8
  • Areas B and CPazhou station, Metro Line 8

The Canton Fair Complex is at 380 Yuejiang Zhong Road, Haizhu District. Metro Line 8 stops at Xingangdong for Area A and at Pazhou for Areas B and C.

04

What the interpreter handles at the stands

Most booths have a salesperson with some English. The trouble starts when you ask for anything off the price sheet: a different carton count, your own logo, a mould change, a lower MOQ for a trial order. That conversation goes to the boss or the factory engineer, often on WeChat voice, in Chinese. An interpreter keeps you in that conversation instead of waiting for a summary.

On a typical day the interpreter notes the quoted FOB price, MOQ, lead time, sample cost and whether it is refunded on order, and which certificates the supplier actually holds. Ask to see the certificate itself. In Phase 3, for toys, children's products and medical devices, that question decides whether the product can enter your market.

Noted at each boothFOB priceMOQLead timeSample costRefunded on orderCertificates held
05

After the fair

  1. Foshanafter Phase 2furniture
  2. Shantouafter Phase 3toys

Many buyers keep the same interpreter for factory visits once the phase ends: Phase 2 buyers often go on to Foshan for furniture, Phase 3 toy buyers to Shantou. Factory visits are booked on the same page.

Questions buyers ask

When is the next Canton Fair?

The 141st session in spring 2027 has not been announced. Going by the usual pattern, Phase 1 runs about 15–19 April, Phase 2 about 23–27 April and Phase 3 about 1–5 May 2027. The dates here change as soon as the organiser publishes them.

Does my interpreter need their own Canton Fair badge?

Yes. You apply for it in the official buyer system under your own registration, at least two days ahead. Under the 139th session rules the organiser charged RMB 300 per day plus RMB 50.

How far ahead should I book an interpreter for the Canton Fair?

The booking page takes Canton Fair dates from two days ahead, because the badge has to be applied for at least two days before use. Booking earlier gives you more choice of interpreter for the busiest days of each phase.

Can the same interpreter come to factory visits after the fair?

Yes. Factory visits are booked on the same page and priced as factory visits. The interpreter who sat in on the booth negotiation then knows what was agreed.

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