i L i f e I m p o r t

Canton Fair 2026

Dates, Phases, Product Categories &
Indian Importer Guide

Your Shortcut From Guangzhou Sourcing to India-Bound Imports

Three phases. 54 exhibition sections. Thousands of potential suppliers. One sourcing decision can affect your entire business.

For Indian importers, the challenge at the China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair) is not simply finding products. It is knowing which phase to attend, where to go, which suppliers to meet, what to verify and what happens after you return to India.

The 140th Canton Fair will take place in Guangzhou from October 15 to November 4, 2026, across three phases. The official fair currently gives buyers access to a broad range of consumer, industrial, technology, home, fashion and healthcare products.

Here is the important part: attending the wrong phase can mean spending valuable time in halls that do not match your sourcing requirements.

China Import Products | Product from China | China Sourcing

This guide covers the overview you need: Canton Fair 2026 dates, phases, product categories, buyer registration, route planning, supplier evaluation and the next steps after finding a supplier.

So, which Canton Fair 2026 phase should an Indian importer attend—and how can you turn a few days in Guangzhou into a structured China-to-India sourcing plan?

What Is Canton Fair 2026?

The Canton Fair, officially the China Import and Export Fair, is held every spring and autumn in Guangzhou. It was established in 1957 and is organised by the China Foreign Trade Centre, with the Ministry of Commerce of China and the People's Government of Guangdong Province.

The 2026 autumn edition is the 140th Canton Fair.

For Indian buyers, its value lies in the concentration of suppliers and product categories in one exhibition complex. Instead of contacting manufacturers individually across different Chinese cities, buyers can use the fair to:

  • Discover new products and manufacturers
  • Compare suppliers face-to-face
  • Discuss MOQ and pricing
  • Review product samples
  • Explore private-label or OEM possibilities
  • Understand manufacturing capabilities
  • Collect quotations and catalogues
  • Build a shortlist for further verification

The scale is significant. The official Canton Fair reports that the 139th Canton Fair attracted 314,000 overseas buyers from 220 countries and regions, while the fair's current exhibition information lists around 1.55 million square meters of exhibition area and 32,000 exhibitors.

For an Indian importer, that scale creates opportunity—but it also makes preparation essential.

Canton Fair 2026 Dates & Phases

The 140th Canton Fair 2026 will be held in three phases:

PhaseDatesMain Theme
Phase 1October 15-19, 2026Advanced Manufacturing
Phase 2October 23-27, 2026Quality Home Life
Phase 3October 31-November 4, 2026Better Life

Phase 1: October 15–19, 2026

Phase 1 focuses heavily on technology, manufacturing and industrial sourcing.

Typical areas include:

  • Electronics & appliances
  • Manufacturing
  • Vehicles & two-wheelers
  • Light & electrical products
  • Hardware and tools

Detailed planning: Canton Fair 2026 Phase 1: Schedule and Key Categories

Phase 2: October 23–27, 2026

Phase 2 is centred around home, lifestyle and building-related sourcing.

Key areas include:

  • Housewares
  • Gifts & decorations
  • Building & furniture

Detailed planning: Canton Fair 2026 Phase 2: Where Home, Kitchen & Gift Sourcing Begins

Phase 3: October 31–November 4, 2026

Phase 3 focuses on products connected with fashion, textiles, children, stationery and health.

Key areas include:

  • Toys & children, baby and maternity
  • Fashion
  • Home textiles
  • Stationery
  • Health & recreation

Detailed planning: Canton Fair 2026 Phase 3: Textiles & Healthcare Products to Source

What Products Can Indian Buyers Source at Canton Fair 2026?

The official Canton Fair platform currently groups exhibits into 13 categories and 54 exhibition sections.

The three-phase structure makes it easier to decide when to attend.

Phase 1 - Advanced Manufacturing

  • Electronics & Appliance: household electrical appliances, consumer electronics and information products.
  • Manufacturing: industrial automation, processing machinery, power equipment, machinery parts, construction machinery, agricultural machinery, new materials and chemical products.
  • Vehicles & Two Wheels: new energy vehicles, smart mobility, vehicles, auto parts, motorcycles and bicycles.
  • Light & Electrical: lighting equipment, electronic and electrical products and new energy resources.
  • Hardware & Tools: hardware and tools.

Phase 2 - Quality Home Life

  • Housewares: ceramics, kitchenware, tableware and household products.
  • Gifts & Decorations: glassware, home décor, gardening products, festival products, gifts, premiums, watches, optical products, art ceramics and rattan/iron products.
  • Building & Furniture: building materials, sanitaryware and furniture.

Phase 3 - Better Life

  • Toys & Children, Baby & Maternity: toys, children's products and kids' wear.
  • Fashion: garments, underwear, sportswear, leather/down products, fashion accessories, fabrics, footwear and bags.
  • Home Textiles: home textiles, carpets and tapestries.
  • Stationery: office supplies.
  • Health & Recreation: medical devices, food, sports and recreation products, personal care, toiletries and pet products.

Product-to-Phase Guide for Indian Importers

Use this table as a planning reference, not as a substitute for the official 140th Canton Fair hall map.

The official site currently shows the 140th exhibition dates and categories, while the final 140th hall layout should be checked through the official Canton Fair platform/app before travelling.

What I want to source
Canton Fair Category
Exhibition Section
Area / Hall Reference
Home appliances
Electronics & Appliance
Household Electrical Appliances
Area A – Halls 1.1–5.2*
Consumer electronics
Electronics & Appliance
Consumer Electronics & Information Products
Area A – Halls 1.1, 6.1, 7.1, 8.1, 6.0, 8.0*
Industrial automation
Manufacturing
Industrial Automation & Intelligent Manufacturing
Area D – Hall 20.1*
Processing machinery
Manufacturing
Processing Machinery Equipment
Area D – Halls 18.1, 19.1, 20.1*
Power equipment
Manufacturing
Power Machinery & Electric Power
Area D – Halls 17.1, 18.1*
Machinery parts
Manufacturing
General Machinery & Mechanical Basic Parts
Area D – Halls 17.2, 18.2, 19.2, 20.2*
Construction machinery
Manufacturing
Construction Machinery
Area A – Hall 4.0*
Agricultural machinery
Manufacturing
Agricultural Machinery
Area A – Halls 5.0, 8.0*
New materials & chemicals
Manufacturing
New Materials & Chemical Products
Area D – Hall 17.2*
Electric vehicles / smart mobility
Vehicles & Two Wheels
New Energy Vehicles & Smart Mobility
Area A – Hall 8.1*
Vehicles
Vehicles & Two Wheels
Vehicles
Area B – Hall 13.0 / outdoor*
Auto parts
Vehicles & Two Wheels
Vehicle Spare Parts
Area B – Halls 9.1–11.1*
Motorcycles
Vehicles & Two Wheels
Motorcycles
Area C – Hall 15.1*
Bicycles
Vehicles & Two Wheels
Bicycles
Area C – Hall 16.1*
Lighting products
Light & Electrical
Lighting Equipment
Area C – Halls 14.3–16.4*
Electrical products
Light & Electrical
Electronic & Electrical Products
Area C – Halls 14.1–16.2*
Renewable energy
Light & Electrical
New Energy Resources
Area C – Halls 15.1, 16.1*
Hardware
Hardware & Tools
Hardware
Area B – Halls 9.1–13.1*
Tools
Hardware & Tools
Tools
Area B – Halls 9.2–13.2*
Ceramics
Housewares
General Ceramics
Area A – Halls 3.1–5.1*
Kitchenware
Housewares
Kitchenware & Tableware
Area A – Halls 1.2–5.2*
Household products
Housewares
Household Items
Area C – Halls 14.1–16.1*
Glass products
Gifts & Decorations
Glass Artware
Area C – Halls 14.2, 15.2*
Home décor
Gifts & Decorations
Home Decorations
Verify final 140th map*
Gardening products
Gifts & Decorations
Gardening Products
Area A – Halls 5.2, 6.2*
Festival products
Gifts & Decorations
Festival Products
Area A – Halls 3.1, 4.1*
Gifts & premiums
Gifts & Decorations
Gifts & Premiums
Area D – Halls 17.2–20.2*
Watches & optical products
Gifts & Decorations
Clocks, Watches & Optical Instruments
Area D – Hall 20.2*
Art ceramics
Gifts & Decorations
Art Ceramics
Area B – Hall 11.2*
Rattan & iron products
Gifts & Decorations
Weaving, Rattan & Iron Products
Area A – Halls 3.1–5.1*
Building materials
Building & Furniture
Building & Decorative Materials
Area B – Halls 11.1–13.2*
Sanitaryware
Building & Furniture
Sanitary & Bathroom Equipment
Area B – Halls 9.1–11.1*
Furniture
Building & Furniture
Furniture
Area B – Halls 9.3–11.3 / outdoor*
Children's products
Toys & Children Baby and Maternity
Children, Baby & Maternity Products
Area D – Hall 20.1*
Toys
Toys & Children Baby and Maternity
Toys
Area D – Halls 17.1–19.1*
Kids' clothing
Toys & Children Baby and Maternity
Kids' Wear
Area A – Hall 1.1*
Garments
Fashion
Men's & Women's Clothing
Area A – Halls 1.1–5.1*
Underwear
Fashion
Underwear
Area A – Hall 1.2*
Sportswear
Fashion
Sports & Casual Wear
Area A – Halls 2.2, 3.2*
Leather & down products
Fashion
Furs, Leather, Downs & Related Products
Area A – Hall 1.2*
Fashion accessories
Fashion
Fashion Accessories & Fittings
Area A – Halls 3.2–5.2*
Textile raw materials
Fashion
Textile Raw Materials & Fabrics
Area C – Halls 14.1–16.3*
Footwear
Fashion
Shoes
Area D – Halls 17.1–20.2*
Bags
Fashion
Cases & Bags
Area B – Halls 9.1–13.1*
Home textiles
Home Textiles
Home Textiles
Area C – Halls 14.1–16.3*
Carpets
Home Textiles
Carpets & Tapestries
Area A – Hall 5.2*
Office supplies
Stationery
Office Supplies
Area B – Halls 10.2–13.2*
Medical devices
Health & Recreation
Medicines, Health Products & Medical Devices
Area B – Halls 9.2, 10.2*
Food products
Health & Recreation
Food
Area D – Halls 18.1–20.1*
Sports & recreation
Health & Recreation
Sports, Travel & Recreation Products
Area B – Halls 9.2, 9.3, 10.3, 11.3*
Personal-care products
Health & Recreation
Personal Care Products
Area B – Halls 9.1, 10.1*
Toiletries
Health & Recreation
Toiletries
Area B – Halls 9.1, 10.1*
Pet products & food
Health & Recreation
Pet Products & Food
Area B – Halls 9.1, 10.1*

Which Canton Fair Phase Should Indian Buyers Attend?

The simplest way to decide is to start with your product, not your travel schedule.

If your business covers products across different phases, plan for multiple visits rather than trying to compress unrelated sourcing into one day.

Recommended phase

Phase 1

Your sourcing requirement

  • Electronics, appliances and consumer electronics
  • Industrial machinery and automation
  • Electrical, lighting and renewable-energy products
  • Hardware, tools and machinery components
  • Vehicles, auto parts, motorcycles and bicycles
Recommended phase

Phase 2

Your sourcing requirement

  • Kitchenware and household products
  • Home décor, gifts and festival products
  • Furniture, sanitaryware and building materials
Recommended phase

Phase 3

Your sourcing requirement

  • Toys and children's products
  • Garments, footwear, bags and fashion accessories
  • Home textiles and carpets
  • Stationery and office supplies
  • Medical, personal-care, sports and recreation products

Before travelling, Indian buyers should review the official 2026 Attendance Guide for Overseas Buyers published by the Canton Fair. The official guide is available in English and several other languages.

For invitation applications, the official Canton Fair system distinguishes between new overseas buyers and regular buyers.

New buyers can register, complete company and personal information, apply for an Overseas Buyer Badge and then apply for an invitation where required.

Do not rely on unofficial badge or invitation services to avoid being scammed or penalised

The official buyer system provides services covering areas such as:

  • Overseas buyer pre-registration
  • Buyer Badge application
  • Canton Fair invitation application
  • Buyer services
  • Supplier and product search
  • Exhibition guidance
  • On-site services

The fair itself is only one part of the trip. Your preparation should begin before you board the flight from India.

What Indian Buyers Should Complete Before Travelling

Use this pre-travel checklist:

  • Create or log in to your official Canton Fair Buyer Service account.
  • Complete your personal information.
  • Enter your company information accurately.
  • Keep your passport information ready.
  • Upload the required buyer photo/profile information.
  • Select the phase or phases you would like to attend.
  • Complete Overseas Buyer Badge pre-registration.
  • Download or print the Return Receipt / registration confirmation.
  • Apply for an invitation if required for your travel or visa process.
  • Carry company business cards.
  • Keep copies of important travel and business documents.
  • Save digital copies of your supplier meeting schedule and product requirements.

The official Canton Fair process has historically required overseas buyers to provide valid identification and business information, and official guidance recommends completing pre-registration before arrival.

Documents Required for Canton Fair Buyer Badge: Indian Buyers

For an Indian buyer attending as an overseas buyer, prepare:

  • Original valid Indian passport
  • Return Receipt / buyer registration confirmation
  • Company business card
  • Application information and required buyer photo/profile details
  • Applicable China travel/entry documentation
  • Canton Fair invitation, where required

The exact collection procedure and accepted documents can change between sessions, so verify the latest 2026 requirements on the official Canton Fair website before departure.

A Buyer Badge is not the same thing as permission to enter China. Keep your Canton Fair registration, travel documents and China entry/visa requirements as separate checklist items.

Do not enter the Canton Fair Complex without a route.

Use this simple sequence:

Product→Phase→Exhibition Section→Area/Hall→Supplier/Booth→Meeting Schedule

For example:

Kitchen appliances→Phase 2?

Check the official category first: household electrical appliances belong to the electronics/appliance grouping and are associated with Phase 1.

That simple distinction can prevent wasting time planning an entire trip around the wrong phase.

Before arriving, prepare a spreadsheet containing:

FieldWhat to record
SupplierCompany name
BoothBooth number
HallHall / area
ProductExact product
MOQMinimum order
Target priceYour expected buying range
Supplier quoteQuoted price
CustomisationOEM/ODM/private label
CertificationsRelevant certificates
Lead timeProduction timeline
NotesMeeting observations
Next stepSample / quotation / inspection / verification

Use the official Canton Fair platform and app for the latest navigation information rather than relying only on an old hall map.

The biggest mistake is arriving with only a product name.

Arrive with a buying brief.

Before leaving India, define:

  • Target product
  • Product specifications
  • Expected quantity
  • Target purchase price
  • Desired MOQ
  • Packaging requirements
  • Branding requirements
  • Required certifications
  • Target delivery timeline
  • Preferred Incoterm
  • Approximate landed-cost ceiling
  • Target Indian selling price

Prepare a list of questions for every serious supplier.

For example:

  • Are you the manufacturer or trading company?
  • What is your standard MOQ?
  • Can you provide OEM/private-label production?
  • What is your production lead time?
  • Which markets do you currently export to?
  • What product certifications can you provide?
  • Can I inspect a sample before placing a bulk order?

This makes supplier comparison much easier after the fair.

A good-looking booth is not proof of manufacturing capability.

When evaluating suppliers, look beyond the catalogue and ask about:

  • Manufacturing facilities (site visit, if possible)
  • Product specifications
  • Export experience
  • MOQ
  • Pricing
  • Production capacity
  • Lead time
  • Quality-control process
  • Certifications
  • OEM/ODM capability
  • Packaging
  • Payment terms
  • Sample availability

The goal is not to collect the largest number of business cards.

The goal is to create a shortlist of suppliers worth verifying.

For the complete process, see How to Find Reliable Suppliers at Canton Fair

Before treating a supplier as a serious candidate, check five broad areas:

Supplier Identity

Confirm company name, contact details, factory/trading status and business information.

Manufacturing Capability

Understand production capacity, machinery, facilities and product specialisation.

Product Quality

Compare samples, materials, specifications, finishing and packaging.

Commercial Terms

Record MOQ, unit price, payment terms, and production lead time.

Compliance

Identify the certifications, testing and Indian regulatory requirements applicable to your product.

Do not choose a supplier only because the quoted price is low.

Use the dedicated Canton Fair Supplier Checklist for Indian Buyers before finalising your shortlist.

The fair is the beginning of the sourcing process—not the end.

After returning from Guangzhou:

Organise every supplier's:

  • Business card
  • Quotation
  • Product catalogue
  • Product photographs
  • Specifications
  • MOQ
  • Payment terms
  • Lead time
  • Certifications
  • Meeting notes

Then compare suppliers using the same criteria.

For a detailed post-fair workflow, see What to Do After Finding a Supplier at Canton Fair 2026

A supplier's quoted price is not your final product cost.

Your landed cost can include:

Product cost+Origin charges+freight+insurance where applicable+customs duties+applicable taxes+clearance charges+local transportation+other applicable costs

For an Indian importer, this calculation should happen before confirming the purchase, not after the goods reach India.

Importers should also check product classification and applicable Indian regulatory requirements before placing an order. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade states that an Importer Exporter Code (IEC) is generally mandatory for import/export activities, subject to specified exemptions.

For the complete calculation framework, see How to Calculate the Landed Cost of Canton Fair Products in India

The Indian Importer's Canton Fair 2026 Checklist

Before the Fair

  • Identify products
  • Select the correct phase
  • Check official dates
  • Complete buyer registration
  • Arrange Buyer Badge
  • Check travel and entry documents
  • Carry business cards
  • Prepare supplier questions
  • Set target pricing and MOQ
  • Prepare product specifications
  • Shortlist suppliers/exhibitors
  • Plan halls to attend and meetings

At the Fair

  • Visit planned sections first
  • Record supplier details
  • Compare relevant suppliers at the end of the day, every day
  • Ask for quotations
  • Discuss MOQ
  • Check samples
  • Ask about certifications
  • Discuss OEM/private label
  • Record lead times
  • Photograph products where permitted
  • Categorise suppliers as high/medium/low priority
  • Schedule follow-up meetings where necessary

After the Fair

  • Organise quotations
  • Compare suppliers
  • Verify shortlisted suppliers
  • Review samples
  • Confirm product specifications
  • Calculate landed cost
  • Negotiate commercial terms
  • Decide inspection requirements
  • Confirm purchase order
  • Arrange freight
  • Plan customs clearance
  • Track delivery to India

Where iLife Import Fits Into the Canton Fair Journey

Finding a supplier in Guangzhou does not automatically solve the import problem.

Indian buyers still need to manage supplier coordination, freight, documentation, customs clearance and delivery.

iLife Import works as a China-to-India import and logistics partner, with services covering supplier screening and quality inspection, freight coordination, customs clearance, warehousing and delivery support.

This can be particularly useful when an Indian buyer has identified a supplier at Canton Fair but needs support turning that supplier relationship into an actual shipment.

Need Help Importing from China?

Get guidance on supplier sourcing, product verification, freight, customs clearance and delivery to India.

Talk to an Import Specialist at iLife Import

Talk to an Import Specialist

Final Takeaway: Plan the Fair Before You Enter the Fair

Canton Fair 2026 gives Indian importers access to a huge supplier and product ecosystem, but the size of the event can quickly become overwhelming without a plan.

Start with what you want to import. Then identify the right phase, shortlist the relevant sections and halls, schedule supplier meetings and prepare a consistent supplier evaluation process.

After the fair, shift your focus from finding suppliers to verifying suppliers, calculating landed cost and executing the import.

The most useful Canton Fair strategy is therefore not simply “Which products can I find in China?” but:

How can I turn the right Canton Fair supplier into a commercially viable import for my Indian business?

Got Questions?truck

Frequently Asked Questions

The Canton Fair is the China Import and Export Fair. It is hosted by China's Ministry of Commerce and the People's Government of Guangdong Province and organised by the China Foreign Trade Centre.

Indian buyers attending onsite should use the official Canton Fair Buyer Service System to complete overseas buyer pre-registration and apply for the required Buyer Badge. New buyers may also apply for a Canton Fair invitation where required.

Attendance varies by session. At the 139th Canton Fair in 2026, the organiser reported 314,000 overseas buyers from 220 countries and regions.

The official Canton Fair has stated that applying for, replacing or renewing an overseas Buyer Badge is free of charge. However, buyers still need to account for their own travel, accommodation, visa/entry requirements and other trip-related expenses.

It depends on the product category. Phase 1 focuses on electronics, manufacturing, vehicles, electrical products and hardware; Phase 2 focuses on housewares, gifts, decorations, building products and furniture; Phase 3 focuses on toys, fashion, home textiles, stationery and health/recreation.

Do not place a bulk order solely because you met a supplier at the fair. First compare quotations, verify the supplier, confirm specifications and samples, calculate landed cost, agree on commercial terms and determine whether a quality inspection is required. Then arrange the purchase order, freight, customs clearance and delivery.
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