Importers and traders
Wholesale buyers sourcing electronics, hardware, homeware and consumer goods for the Pakistani market.
Trade fair guide · Guangzhou
Canton Fair 2027: a guide for Pakistani buyers
The China Import and Export Fair in Guangzhou is the largest sourcing event many Pakistani importers attend. It runs twice a year in three phases, each with different product groups, so the first decision is which phase you need.
Key facts
Canton Fair at a glance
| Item | What to know |
|---|---|
| Session | 141st China Import and Export Fair (spring 2027) |
| Phase 1 | 15–19 April 2027: electronics and appliances, manufacturing, vehicles and two-wheelers, lighting and electrical, hardware |
| Phase 2 | 23–27 April 2027: houseware, gifts and decorations, building materials and furniture |
| Phase 3 | 1–5 May 2027: toys, children, baby and maternity, fashion, home textiles, stationery, health and recreation |
| Venue | China Import and Export Fair Complex, Pazhou, Haizhu district, Guangzhou |
| Opening hours | 09:30–18:00 |
| Organisers | Hosted by China’s Ministry of Commerce and the Guangdong provincial government; organised by the China Foreign Trade Centre |
Check before travel: visa rules, fees, processing times and event dates change without notice. This page was checked on 11 November 2026 against the Canton Fair’s official website (cantonfair.org.cn). Confirm on the official source, or ask us to check for your trip, before you book anything non-refundable.
Who goes
Who from Pakistan attends Canton Fair
Manufacturers
Factories looking for machinery, components and raw materials.
Retail and brands
Retail chains and brands building private-label ranges.
Phases
Pick the phase, then plan the trip
Each phase lasts five days, with gaps of a few days between them. Buyers who need two phases often stay in Guangzhou through the gap and use it for factory visits in Foshan, Dongguan or Shenzhen. Buyers who need only one phase should arrive a day before it opens: the first two days are the busiest and the best for meeting suppliers before stock and prices change.
Visa and registration
Buyer badge, invitation and M visa
Overseas buyers register online with the fair for a buyer badge, and the fair can issue an invitation that supports a China M visa application. Apply for the visa with that invitation through the Chinese visa application service centre covering your area. Leave several weeks before the phase you need.
- Register as a buyer early and keep the registration confirmation
- Use the fair’s invitation, or a supplier’s, for the M visa
- Carry passport-size photos for badge collection if required
On the ground
Hotels, transport and money
Hotels around Pazhou and along metro Line 8 sell out and raise prices sharply during each phase. Staying a few metro stops away is often better value. The metro is the fastest way to the complex during opening and closing hours.
Set up a Chinese mobile payment wallet before you fly, carry some cash, and arrange connectivity, as many Western apps do not work on Chinese networks. A local interpreter for negotiations is often a good investment.
Timeline
A planning timeline for Canton Fair
5–6 months out
Choose your phase and register as a buyer.
4 months out
Book hotels and flights; rates rise close to the fair.
8–10 weeks out
Apply for the M visa with the invitation.
2 weeks out
Payment wallet, roaming, interpreter and factory visits arranged.
After
Supplier follow-ups and any return visit for samples.
FAQ
Canton Fair questions
When is the Canton Fair in 2027?
The spring session (141st) runs in three phases: 15–19 April, 23–27 April and 1–5 May 2027. Autumn dates are announced later by the organiser.
Do Pakistani buyers need a visa?
Yes, usually a China M visa. The fair can issue an invitation to registered overseas buyers to support the application.
Which phase covers home textiles?
Phase 3 (1–5 May 2027) covers fashion and home textiles, with toys, children’s products, stationery and health products.
Where should we stay?
Near a metro line that runs to Pazhou. Hotels next to the complex are expensive in fair weeks; a few stops away is usually better value.
Plan with Go Global
Planning a Canton Fair delegation?
Tell us who is travelling, when and why. We reply with a plan, the visa route and a quote. Email insights@goglobal.pk or WhatsApp 0320-4111222.