140th Canton Fair 2026: Dates, Phases, Registration and Visa Guide for Indian Travellers

The 140th Canton Fair takes place in Guangzhou, China, from mid-October to early November 2026, across three separate phases. For Indian buyers, exporters, and business travellers, this event is one of the largest sourcing opportunities of the year, covering everything from electronics and machinery to home goods, textiles, and consumer products.

Canton Fair dates are important for planning flights, accommodation, China visa applications, and business meetings.

This guide covers the exact dates and phases, what each phase includes, how registration works, the visa process for Indian passport holders, and what to plan for before booking travel. By the end, you should know exactly what to do next.

When Is the 140th Canton Fair 2026?

The 140th Canton Fair runs from 15 October to 4 November 2026 in three phases: Phase 1 (15–19 October) covers electronics, machinery, and manufacturing; Phase 2 (23–27 October) covers home goods, gifts, and furniture; Phase 3 (31 October–4 November) covers textiles, garments, and consumer products. Indian visitors need a Chinese visa to attend, and separate registration is required to receive a Buyer Badge for entry.

What Is the Canton Fair?

The Canton Fair, officially the China Import and Export Fair, is a trade exhibition held twice a year in Guangzhou, China. It is organised by the Ministry of Commerce of China together with the People's Government of Guangdong Province. The fair began in 1957 and has continued as a spring and autumn session every year since.

The Canton Fair is held in Guangzhou at the China Import and Export Fair Complex on Pazhou Island. It is divided into three phases, each dedicated to a different set of industries, which allows buyers to focus on the phase most relevant to their sourcing needs rather than attending the entire multi-week event. The fair draws buyers from more than 200 countries and regions, making it one of the largest B2B trade platforms in the world.

When Is the 140th Canton Fair 2026? (Dates and Phases)

Each canton fair phase covers distinct product categories, so the dates you attend should match what you are sourcing.

Exhibition hours are generally 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM on show days. Buyers are not required to attend all three phases and can register for only the phase that matches their product category. Attending the wrong phase for your industry is one of the most common planning mistakes among first-time visitors, since exhibitor halls change completely between phases.

Who Can Attend the Canton Fair?

The Canton Fair is a B2B (business-to-business) event, meaning attendance is intended for trade buyers, importers, distributors, and company representatives rather than general tourists. Indian companies in electronics, textiles, home goods, machinery, and consumer products commonly send representatives to source new suppliers or meet existing ones in person.

Attendance typically requires:

• A registered Buyer Badge, obtained through pre-registration or on-site registration
• A valid Chinese visa appropriate to the purpose of travel
• Company-related documentation, such as a business card, company letter, or invitation, depending on the registration route used

Individuals attending purely for observation without a trade purpose may face restrictions, since the fair prioritises verified trade buyers over general visitors.

If your sourcing requirements span multiple categories, attending more than one phase may make sense.

However, staying for multiple phases means planning additional accommodation, local transportation and travel time in Guangzhou.

How Do You Register for the Canton Fair?

Registration is separate from the visa application and must be completed before arrival to receive entry access. The process generally follows these steps:

1. Create an account on the official Canton Fair Buyer Service System or the official Canton Fair mobile app.
2. Select the phase or phases you plan to attend, based on your product category.
3. Enter buyer details, including company information and contact details.
4. Submit supporting documents, such as a business card or company letter, if requested.
5. Complete verification, which may take a few days depending on the volume of applications.
6. Receive Buyer Badge confirmation, which is used for entry at the exhibition halls.

First-time overseas buyers, including many Indian applicants, are sometimes asked for an invitation letter to complete registration. This letter can also serve as supporting documentation for the visa application, so it is worth requesting it early rather than close to the travel date.

Do Indians Need a Visa for the Canton Fair?

Yes. Indian passport holders require a Chinese visa to attend the Canton Fair; there is no visa-free entry arrangement for Indian citizens for this purpose. Most business attendees apply for an M visa (commercial and trade), commonly referred to as a China business visa, while some visitors without direct trade activity may apply for an L visa (tourism/visitor), depending on individual circumstances.

Holding a visa does not by itself guarantee entry into China. Visa issuance is decided by the Chinese Embassy or Consulate based on the application and supporting documents, and final entry clearance is determined by immigration authorities at the port of entry. Similarly, receiving an invitation letter from the Canton Fair or a Chinese company supports the application but does not guarantee visa approval on its own.

What Documents Do Indian Travellers Need?

Indian applicants generally need to provide the following for a Chinese business visa application:

• Passport with at least six months' validity remaining and a minimum of two blank visa pages
• A recent passport-size photograph meeting Chinese visa specifications
• A completed visa application form
• Proof of business purpose, such as an invitation letter, Canton Fair registration confirmation, or a letter from the inviting Chinese company
• Confirmed flight itinerary and hotel booking details
• Additional financial or employment documents, if requested by the consulate or visa centre

Requirements can vary depending on the applicant's profile, prior travel history, and current consular guidance, so it is advisable to confirm the exact document list with the Chinese Embassy, Consulate, or an authorised visa service centre before applying.

How Much Does It Cost and How Long Does Processing Take?

Visa fees and processing times for Chinese visas can vary depending on the visa category, processing speed selected (standard, express, or urgent), and the visa centre handling the application. These figures are periodically revised by the issuing authorities, so it is best to check the current fee schedule and turnaround time directly with the Chinese Embassy or Consulate, or with an authorised visa application centre, before budgeting for the trip.

As a general planning guideline, Indian applicants are advised to begin the visa process at least three to four weeks before travel, which allows time for document preparation, submission, and any additional verification the consulate may require.

How Should You Plan Your Trip to Guangzhou?

Guangzhou is connected to major Indian cities primarily through one-stop routes, commonly via Hong Kong, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, or Singapore. The nearest airport is Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN), located roughly 30 to 40 minutes from the Canton Fair Complex depending on traffic.

A few practical planning points:

• Transport to the venue: Guangzhou Metro Line 8, with a stop at Pazhou Station, connects directly to the Canton Fair Complex and is usually faster than road transport during show hours.
• Accommodation: Hotel rates near Pazhou rise significantly during fair weeks, and rooms can sell out; booking two to three months in advance is advisable.
• Trip duration: Most business buyers plan three to five days per phase, allowing time for both exhibition visits and factory or supplier follow-ups.
• Payments: Setting up a digital payment method such as Alipay before arrival is useful, since cash and foreign cards are not accepted everywhere in Guangzhou.
• Season and climate: Late October to early November in Guangzhou is generally mild, though travellers should check the forecast closer to the travel dates.

Common Mistakes Indian Travellers Should Avoid

• Applying for the visa too late. Processing can take longer than expected during peak travel seasons, so leaving the application until the last minute risks missing the fair entirely.
• Registering for the wrong phase. Since each phase covers different industries, confirming your product category before registering saves both time and travel cost.
• Booking flights before confirming visa approval. Non-refundable tickets booked ahead of visa clearance can lead to financial loss if the application is delayed or documentation is incomplete.
• Relying on outdated fee or requirement information. Visa fees, processing times, and entry requirements change periodically, so information from a previous year's trip should always be reconfirmed.
• Not booking accommodation early enough. Hotels near the venue fill up quickly during fair weeks, often at higher rates closer to the event.
• Skipping the invitation letter request. Waiting too long to request an invitation letter can delay both registration and the visa application.

Plan Your Canton Fair Trip With GoKite Travel & Tours

Attending the Canton Fair from India involves coordinating several moving parts: choosing the right phase, applying for the correct visa, securing an invitation letter, and booking flights and accommodation before availability tightens. Getting any one of these steps wrong can delay or derail the trip.

Go Kite Travel & Tours assists Indian business travellers with Canton Fair visa documentation, invitation letter coordination, flight routing from Indian cities, hotel bookings near the venue and the complete canton fair tour packages designed to simplify business travel to Guangzhou. If you are planning to attend the 140th Canton Fair, the practical first step is to confirm which phase matches your product category, then begin your visa and travel arrangements well ahead of the event dates.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Canton Fair?

The Canton Fair, officially the China Import and Export Fair, is a biannual trade exhibition held in Guangzhou, China. It connects Chinese manufacturers with international buyers across industries such as electronics, home goods, and textiles, and is organised by the Ministry of Commerce of China.

When is the 140th Canton Fair in 2026?

The 140th Canton Fair runs from 15 October to 4 November 2026, held in three phases: Phase 1 (15–19 October), Phase 2 (23–27 October), and Phase 3 (31 October–4 November).

Do Indian citizens need a visa to attend the Canton Fair?

Yes, Indian passport holders need a Chinese visa, typically a business (M) visa, to attend the Canton Fair. There is no visa-free entry for this purpose, and the application should be supported by relevant business documentation.

How early should I apply for a China business visa?

It is generally advisable to start the visa application process three to four weeks before your planned travel date, allowing time for document preparation and consular processing.

Can I attend more than one phase of the Canton Fair?

Yes, buyers can register for one, two, or all three phases depending on their sourcing interests, though each phase requires separate registration for the relevant dates.

How do I get to the Canton Fair venue from the airport?

From Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, most visitors travel by taxi or connect to Guangzhou Metro Line 8, which has a direct stop at Pazhou Station near the Canton Fair Complex.