Canton Fair Phases: What Is Sold in Each Phase

Choose your phase by product, before booking travel

The Canton Fair’s formal name is the China Import and Export Fair. It takes place in Guangzhou in spring and autumn. For the 140th session, products are divided between three phases, so match your buying list to the relevant phase before booking travel.

This guide uses the official categories for the 140th Canton Fair, autumn 2026. The table groups related categories for easier planning and highlights selected specialist categories and zones from the official session introduction.

For phase dates and travel planning, use our Canton Fair hub. Check the selected session’s official exhibitor directory and layout before committing to flights or accommodation.

What is sold in each Canton Fair phase?

Use these categories to shortlist the relevant phase, then search for your exact product. Confirm with each exhibitor which products it plans to display.

Product combinations that can require different phases

A homeware range can span phases: household electrical appliances are in Phase 1, furniture and tableware in Phase 2, and home textiles in Phase 3. Map each product separately.

For a children’s range, start with Phase 3 for toys, children’s clothing and children, baby and maternity products. If your shopping list also includes furniture or electrical products, check their relevant categories and exhibitors separately.

For accessories, distinguish Phase 2’s fashion jewellery zone from Phase 3’s fashion accessories, shoes and bags. Search the actual item and confirm the booth with the supplier.

These are itinerary examples based on the category split. Confirm individual products and supplier attendance separately.

How to plan a visit across phases

Build a product list with intended use, materials, quantity, destination market and must-have specifications. Assign each item to a likely phase, then confirm suppliers and booth locations through the official directory.

Attend a single phase if it covers your confirmed shortlist. Add another phase when it contains products or supplier meetings that justify the extra accommodation, travel and time away.

Allow for the changeover intervals between the published exhibition phases. Plan exhibition visits within the phase dates and use our Canton Fair hub to check the schedule before arranging meetings.

If you plan factory visits during an interval, confirm the factory address, travel time and appointment separately. Ask your contact to confirm access to the production site.

Keep a consistent record of each meeting: supplier identity, booth, product reference, sample, quoted specification, minimum order, delivery terms and follow-up questions. Consult our buyers’ pack when preparing.

If you are deciding whether the trip is justified at all, read is the Canton Fair worth going to?.

What to establish before placing an order

Whether you are buying as an individual, a small business or a larger procurement team, ask about minimum orders, sample availability, customisation, production timing and packaging. Agree what the quotation includes before comparing unit prices.

Before payment, verify the contracting business, agree a written specification and establish how samples, inspection and any required testing will be handled.

State the destination market early. Check the requirements applicable to your exact product and obtain supporting evidence before ordering.

A destination-cost example: importing into the UK

When using HMRC’s Method 1 transaction-value method, include transport, insurance, loading and handling costs connected with delivery to the UK border unless already included in the price.

Import VAT valuation starts from customs value. Add applicable import duties and other import charges, excluding VAT itself, and relevant incidental expenses not already included. These include costs to the first UK destination and transport-related costs to a further UK destination known at importation. Check the applicable inclusions and exclusions when calculating landed cost.

This is a UK valuation example. Have the valuation method and product requirements checked for the actual destination before ordering.

Turn your phase shortlist into a buying brief

Before seeking help from Cambridge China Bridge, prepare your product list, intended quantities, destination, relevant phases and any suppliers already identified. Use this brief to define the sourcing work you need.

For a later session, recheck category allocations before using this table to plan travel. Start with our 2027 Canton Fair planning page if that is the visit you are considering.

Sources

The Canton Fair’s official materials and the Ministry of Commerce’s 140th-session introductions support the phase breakdown. HMRC’s Method 1 and import VAT valuation guidance support the UK example. Check individual exhibitor attendance and booth details separately.