Quick answer: the 140th Canton Fair runs October 15–November 4, 2026 in three phases. Phase 1 covers electronics, machinery and industrial products. Phase 2 covers home, gifts and furniture. Phase 3 covers fashion, toys, health and food. Pick your phase by product, not by the cheapest flight.
This is the decision to lock in before you book flights. If you are still preparing, start with our Canton Fair 140 Preparation Guide for the week-by-week plan, then read the Canton Fair M Visa Guide if you still need your visa. Our general Canton Fair Guide covers the venue and basics.
Choose the wrong phase and you could spend days at the world’s largest trade fair surrounded by suppliers who have nothing to do with your products. This guide explains all three phases and how to match them to your sourcing plan.
Disclosure: this page contains affiliate links. If you book through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It helps us keep these guides free.
📅 Canton Fair 140 Phase Dates
The fair takes place at the China Import and Export Fair Complex in Guangzhou’s Pazhou district. China’s Ministry of Commerce also publishes the official schedule, which matches the dates below.
| Phase | Dates | Main Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | October 15–19, 2026 | Advanced manufacturing: electronics, appliances, machinery, vehicles, tools |
| Phase 2 | October 23–27, 2026 | Quality home life: housewares, décor, gifts, kitchenware, furniture, building materials |
| Phase 3 | October 31–November 4, 2026 | Better life: fashion, textiles, toys, health, office supplies, food |
There are three-day changeover periods between phases: October 20–22 and October 28–30. No exhibition runs on those days, so they are ideal for factory visits, supplier meetings, sample reviews and wholesale markets.
Exhibitors change completely between phases. Category lists can be adjusted by the organizers, so confirm your exact products in the official exhibitor list on the Canton Fair website before you book.
🔧 Phase 1: Advanced Manufacturing
Phase 1 focuses on manufacturing, electronics, electrical products, machinery, vehicles, hardware and tools.
What can you find?
- Consumer electronics
- Household electrical appliances
- Industrial automation and intelligent manufacturing
- Machinery and equipment (construction, agricultural)
- Power and electrical equipment
- Vehicles, auto parts, motorcycles and bicycles
- Hardware and tools
- Lighting equipment
- New energy products and new materials
- Chemical products
Who should attend Phase 1?
Electronics importers, appliance buyers, machinery importers, hardware and tool distributors, auto parts buyers, industrial sourcing agents and e-commerce sellers sourcing electronics.
Example: if you want smart devices, appliances and hardware suppliers, Phase 1 makes far more sense than Phase 3.
Fitness equipment is a popular Phase 1 request. See our guide on where to buy gym equipment wholesale in Guangzhou for manufacturers and Chinese search terms.
🏠 Phase 2: Quality Home Life
Phase 2 moves away from heavy manufacturing and focuses on home, household, decoration, gifts and furniture.
What can you find?
- Kitchenware and tableware
- Household products
- General and art ceramics, glassware
- Home decorations and gardening products
- Festival products, gifts and premiums
- Clocks, watches and optical products
- Weaving, rattan and iron products
- Building and decorative materials
- Bathroom and sanitary equipment
- Furniture
Who should attend Phase 2?
Home-product retailers, kitchenware importers, furniture buyers, interior businesses, décor and gift retailers, hospitality suppliers and wholesale buyers.
Example: if you are sourcing kitchenware, furniture and home décor, Phase 2 should be the center of your schedule. Furniture buyers should also read our Best Furniture Suppliers at Canton Fair 2026.
👗 Phase 3: Better Life
Phase 3 focuses on fashion, textiles, toys, health, sports, food and office products.
What can you find?
- Clothing, textiles and garments
- Fashion accessories, shoes, cases and bags
- Home textiles
- Toys, children’s, baby and maternity products
- Office supplies
- Sports, travel and recreation products
- Food
- Health, medical and personal care products
- Pet products and food
Who should attend Phase 3?
Fashion buyers, clothing importers, footwear and bag retailers, toy wholesalers, baby-product businesses, health and personal-care companies, sports-product buyers, food distributors and office-supply wholesalers.
Example: if you are building a clothing and accessories business, there is little reason to spend your main sourcing time in Phase 1. Sportswear buyers should pair this phase with our Guangzhou sportswear sourcing guide.
🏨 Book Your Hotel Near the Canton Fair Complex
Fair-week hotels near Pazhou sell out and prices climb as the dates approach. Staying close saves hours of commuting between the halls and your supplier meetings.
Find Hotels Near Pazhou →Compare options first in our Top 10 Business Hotels near Pazhou.
⚖️ Quick Comparison: Which Phase Is Right for You?
| If you source… | Attend |
|---|---|
| Electronics, appliances, machinery, vehicles, auto parts, hardware, tools | Phase 1 |
| Home décor, kitchenware, tableware, furniture, gifts, building materials | Phase 2 |
| Clothing, textiles, shoes, bags, toys, children’s products, health, food, sports | Phase 3 |
🎯 Find Your Phase in 10 Seconds
Tap every product category you plan to source. The tool shows which phases you need and how to combine them.
🧠 How to Choose Your Phase
Ask yourself three questions.
1. What are you sourcing?
Start with your main product category. Electronics → Phase 1. Furniture → Phase 2. Clothing → Phase 3. Your primary category decides your starting point.
2. Are you sourcing several categories?
Some businesses do not fit one phase. Two common combinations:
Electronics + home products: Phase 1 (Oct 15–19) → factory visits and supplier meetings (Oct 20–22) → Phase 2 (Oct 23–27).
Home products + fashion: Phase 2 (Oct 23–27) → supplier meetings and market visits (Oct 28–30) → Phase 3 (Oct 31–Nov 4).
3. How much time can you spend in Guangzhou?
Most buyers attend only one phase. If you source one category, one phase is enough. Two phases suit multi-category buyers. Attending all three gives the broadest exposure but needs far more time and budget.
🗓️ Don’t Waste the Three-Day Gaps
Gap 1: October 20–22, between Phase 1 and Phase 2.
Gap 2: October 28–30, between Phase 2 and Phase 3.
Good uses for the gap days:
- Visit factories and meet suppliers at their facilities
- Review samples and compare quotations
- Negotiate MOQs and prices
- Visit Guangzhou’s wholesale markets
- Follow up with suppliers you met at the fair
- Take a rest day
Used well, the gaps turn an exhibition visit into a complete sourcing trip.
Guangzhou Culture Tour
Use a free gap day to unlock the history behind the city: guided day tours, historic sites and traditional performances.
China’s Luxury Bullet Train
Visiting factories in Shenzhen, Dongguan or beyond? China’s High-Speed Rail Business Class offers independent cabins and lie-flat seats. Book your gap-day trips in advance.
📋 A Simple Multi-Phase Itinerary
Suppose you want to source electronics and home products:
- October 15–19: Phase 1, electronics, machinery and industrial products
- October 20–22: factory visits, supplier meetings and sample reviews
- October 23–27: Phase 2, home, kitchen, furniture and gifts
- October 28: supplier follow-ups and rest
You cover two major product groups and still have dedicated time for suppliers outside the exhibition.
🎟️ Turn Your Gap Days Into Guided Experiences
Between phases you have three free days. Book guided city tours, skip-the-line attraction tickets and local experiences in advance, so your downtime in Guangzhou is easy to organize.
Browse Tours & Activities →📍 Practical Tips Before You Attend
Choosing the right phase is only step one. Before you fly:
Register as a buyer
Complete your buyer registration on the official Canton Fair website and follow the latest instructions for badge collection. Need a visa? Follow our M Visa guide. Some nationalities may not need one at all: check China Visa-Free Entry 2026.
Prepare your supplier list
Do not arrive without knowing what you want. For each supplier, note: product, booth number, target price, MOQ, required certifications, sample requirements and contact person.
Arrange meetings in advance
Contact key suppliers by email or WeChat before you arrive. Popular exhibitors have full schedules during the fair.
Bring business cards and stay connected
Include your company name, website, email and WeChat. You will also need mobile data from the moment you land.
📶 Get an eSIM Before You Land
Set up mobile data before you fly so you can use WeChat, maps and translation apps the moment you arrive. Not sure how it works in China? Read our China eSIM guide.
Get a China eSIM with Airalo →Prepare for a lot of walking
The complex is enormous. Wear comfortable shoes. Pazhou Station on Guangzhou Metro Line 8 is the easiest public transport link; check the Guangzhou Metro site for current maps and hours.
Need a Car in Guangzhou?
Skip the taxi hassle! Renting a car gives you the freedom to explore Guangzhou’s wholesale markets and top attractions at your own pace.
Sort out payments
Cash and foreign cards are far less useful than mobile payments in China. Our guide to linking your Wise card to Alipay will save you trouble at restaurants, taxis and markets.
Keep your documents organized
Keep your passport, buyer badge information and travel documents available both digitally and offline.
🛡️ Protect Your Trip
Flights, hotels and sample shipments add up. Travel insurance covers medical costs, delays and cancellations during a high-stakes sourcing trip.
Get a Travel Insurance Quote →❌ Common Mistakes Buyers Make
- Attending the wrong phase. Check the product categories before booking flights.
- Trying to see everything. The fair is enormous. Focus on the categories that matter to your business.
- Not contacting suppliers first. Important exhibitors get booked up quickly.
- Leaving during the gap days. Use them for factories and supplier meetings.
- Not recording supplier details. After a few days, dozens of suppliers blur together. Every evening, record booth number, supplier name, product, price, MOQ, contact details, sample information and follow-up notes.
- Forgetting shipping. Samples and orders need a plan. See our Shipping & Logistics guide before you place orders.
🌆 Make the Most of Your Free Evenings
A sourcing trip does not have to be all meetings. After the halls close, Guangzhou is one of China’s best food cities, and gap days are perfect for a break.
Guangzhou’s Food Scene
After a long day at the halls, taste the authentic flavors of Canton. Join a top-rated local food tour for traditional Dim Sum, hidden culinary gems and bustling tea houses.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Canton Fair 140?
October 15 to November 4, 2026, in three phases: October 15–19, October 23–27 and October 31–November 4.
Which Canton Fair phase should I attend?
Phase 1 for electronics, machinery and hardware. Phase 2 for home goods, furniture and building materials. Phase 3 for fashion, toys, health and food.
Do I need to attend all three phases?
No. Most buyers attend one phase. Attend more only if you source across several product groups.
What happens between the phases?
There are no exhibitions on October 20–22 and October 28–30. Exhibitors change over, so use the time for factory visits, markets and rest.
Do I need a visa for the Canton Fair?
It depends on your nationality. See our M Visa guide and the visa-free entry guide.
🔗 Your Road to Canton Fair 2026
This is Article 3 of the series. Continue your preparation:
💡 Final Takeaway
The 140th Canton Fair is three specialized sourcing events in one.
- Phase 1 (Oct 15–19): electronics, appliances, machinery, vehicles, hardware.
- Phase 2 (Oct 23–27): home products, kitchenware, décor, gifts, furniture, building materials.
- Phase 3 (Oct 31–Nov 4): fashion, textiles, shoes, bags, toys, health, food.
Sourcing one category? Attend one phase. Sourcing several? Combine two phases and use the three-day gap for factories and suppliers. Don’t plan your trip around the calendar. Plan it around your products.
