Canton Fair Registration: How Overseas Buyers Register

Register online before collecting your buyer badge

The Canton Fair, officially the China Import and Export Fair, takes place in Guangzhou. Start with the organiser’s Buyer Service System.

Use this guide to prepare your application, whether you buy independently or for a purchasing team. Describe your actual buying activity and organisation accurately; do not invent company details to complete an application. Check eligibility separately.

The steps below identify the publication dates of the official guidance supporting them. Recheck your session’s eligibility rules, procedures, service locations and invitation arrangements before travelling.

Check your eligibility and whether an existing badge still works

The badge notice dated 26 September 2026 lists these accepted identity documents: a foreign passport; a Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents; a Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents; or a Chinese passport together with an overseas permanent residence permit or permanent residence visa.

That notice says valid previous-session Overseas Buyer Badges allow entry after verification without activation. However, badges issued on a work-visa basis at or before the 134th session are no longer valid; affected holders must apply for a Purchasing Agent Badge as required.

If your documents fall outside the listed categories, ask the organiser which badge category applies before booking travel. Do not rely solely on an account option or an older guide to establish current eligibility.

Follow the official registration steps

The invitation guide dated 13 August 2025 explains the account and badge workflow. The pre-registration notice dated 14 February 2026 describes first-time and returning attendee routes for the 139th session. These are dated workflow references; check your session’s instructions and portal prompts before applying.

Collect at the fair, or use an eligible alternative office

The organiser’s overseas buyer badge notice dated 26 September 2026 says new applications, replacements and renewals are free. Check the policy for your session before relying on older fee information.

Check the current office list and opening hours before choosing where to collect. Save your receipt for offline access and carry the original documents used for your application.

For packing and meeting preparation, use the Canton Fair buyer’s pack. For broader visit planning, see the Canton Fair overview.

Request an invitation separately from checking your right to travel

The invitation guide dated 13 August 2025 describes an invitation menu for returning buyers and an option for new buyers to generate an invitation alongside their badge application. Use it as a workflow reference, rather than confirmation of a later session’s application window or eligibility.

Follow the invitation options and instructions displayed for your session. If you cannot generate a letter, contact official buyer support before committing to travel. Check the entry requirements for your journey separately and follow the organiser’s badge collection instructions.

If you cannot attend in person

The official buyer portal provides exhibitor and product searches and a facility for posting sourcing requests. Use these to build a shortlist, explain your requirements and request information remotely.

For each shortlisted supplier, request the same specification, sample information, packaging details and delivery terms so that replies are comparable. Agree how samples, supplier checks and any inspection will be handled before placing an order.

Decide whether travel adds enough value with is the Canton Fair worth going to?. For 2027 planning, consult the 2027 Canton Fair page and reconfirm registration requirements for your intended session.

After registration: check the cost of importing into your destination

Ask for the product specification, quantity, delivery terms, packing and transport assumptions in writing. For destinations such as the EU or US, consult the relevant customs authority before accepting a landed-cost estimate.

For UK imports, HMRC’s customs valuation guidance includes relevant transport and insurance costs to the place of introduction into the UK. Import VAT valuation starts with customs value and adds applicable import duties, levies and other import charges, excluding VAT itself, plus relevant incidental expenses not already included. These expenses include packing, commission, transport and insurance to the first UK destination, and expenses arising from transport to a further UK destination known at importation.

Before discussing sourcing support, prepare your intended use, destination market, quantity, specification and delivery requirements.

Sources and session changes

The sources below are official organiser and HMRC materials. The 26 September 2026 badge notice concerns the 140th session; the 14 February 2026 pre-registration notice concerns the 139th. Earlier workflow guidance is dated explicitly. Check your session’s notices and the live Buyer Service System before acting.