When and where
The fair runs twice a year — a spring session in April and an autumn session in October — at the China Import and Export Fair Complex in Pazhou, Guangzhou. Each session has three phases with different product categories.
| 140th session (autumn 2026) | Dates | Main categories |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | 15–19 October | Electronics, appliances, machinery, hardware, lighting, vehicles, new energy |
| Phase 2 | 23–27 October | Housewares, gifts, decoration, building materials, furniture, ceramics |
| Phase 3 | 31 October – 4 November | Textiles, clothing, footwear, bags, toys, personal care, health, food, office supplies |
Phase allocations change between sessions. Check the official site before booking flights.
Step 1: register as a buyer (free)
- Create an account on the official Buyer Service System or the Canton Fair app
- Request a buyer badge with your passport details exactly as printed, and your company details
- Select the invitation letter if you need one for a visa
- Registration, badges, and invitation letters are free — be wary of anyone charging for them
Step 2: the China visa
Egyptian citizens need a visa before travel. For the fair, apply for a business (M) visa through the Chinese Visa Application Service Center (CVASC) in Cairo or Alexandria. Typical documents include:
- Passport valid for at least six months, and a recent photo on a white background
- The Canton Fair invitation letter
- Company documents: commercial register and tax card, or an employer letter
- A recent bank statement
- Flight and hotel bookings
Fees and processing times change. Confirm them with CVASC and apply several weeks before the phase you plan to attend.
Step 3: prepare before you fly
- Pick the phase that matches your product — you do not need all three
- Write a one-page specification: materials, sizes, packing, target price, and quantity
- Check whether your product is on the Decree 43 list — if so, you can only buy from registered factories
- Estimate the landed cost in Egypt so you know your real maximum price
- Set up WeChat for supplier contact, and carry business cards
Read more: Decree 43: registering foreign factories with GOEIC before you importThe landed cost of importing to Egypt
At the fair
- Collect your badge at the airport, hotel, or registration offices with your passport
- Photograph each booth, the product, and the business card together
- Ask directly: are you the factory or a trading company? Where is the factory?
- Ask about MOQ, lead time, samples, and GOEIC registration
- Do not pay deposits at the booth
After the fair: where deals are really made
- Shortlist and compare quotations on the same basis (same Incoterm, same specification)
- Verify the company and request samples
- Visit or audit the factory before a large first order
- Agree terms in a written proforma invoice, with payment only to the company’s own bank account
Read more: How to verify a Chinese supplierIncoterms explained for importers
Combine the trip with factory visits
Many buyers extend the trip to manufacturing hubs near Guangzhou — furniture around Foshan, electronics in Shenzhen — or travel to Yiwu for small commodities. Planning visits by product saves days of travel.
Pacific’s team in China can help you plan your Canton Fair visit, verify the suppliers you meet, and follow up with factories after you return to Egypt.
Sources
General guidance. Requirements vary by product, route, and date, so they are confirmed for each request.