The Canton Fair 2027 spring session is the 141st edition of China’s largest trade fair, and it is the one most buyers will plan around next year. It runs in three phases at the China Import and Export Fair Complex in Pazhou, Guangzhou, each with its own product categories. Pick the wrong phase and you walk halls full of suppliers you do not need.
This guide is about planning, not results. (For what happened at the autumn 2026 session, read our Canton Fair 2026 recap.) It covers the expected dates, which phase fits which buyer, how to use the days between phases for factory visits, the May Day holiday, and the entry and registration rules as they stand today. Where something is not yet official, we say so.
Key takeaways
- Dates are expected, not confirmed. If the spring 2026 pattern holds, Phase 1 runs 15–19 April, Phase 2 23–27 April and Phase 3 1–5 May 2027.
- Choose your phase by category: Phase 1 for advanced manufacturing and electronics, Phase 2 for home goods and building materials, Phase 3 for textiles, toys, health and lifestyle.
- The changeover days (20–22 and 28–30 April) are for factory visits. Intercity trains from Pazhou reach Dongguan West in about 30 minutes and Foshan West in about 40.
- Phase 3 may overlap the May Day holiday, as it did in 2026. Book trains and hotels early.
- Check entry rules before you book. The 30-day visa-free entry for most EU countries and the UK currently ends on 31 December 2026. Buyer registration is free and open all year.
Canton Fair 2027 dates: what to expect
As of 29 October 2026, neither the organiser (cantonfair.org.cn) nor China’s Ministry of Commerce has published dates for the 141st session. Some listing sites already show dates for 2027, but they simply repeat the 2026 calendar. Treat them as estimates.
The best guide is the spring 2026 (139th) session. It ran in three five-day phases, open 9:30–18:00, with three changeover days between phases (MOFCOM; organiser buyer guide, PDF). If 2027 follows the same pattern, expect:
| Phase | Expected 2027 dates | Official 2026 dates |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | 15–19 April 2027 | 15–19 April 2026 |
| Changeover | 20–22 April 2027 | 20–22 April 2026 |
| Phase 2 | 23–27 April 2027 | 23–27 April 2026 |
| Changeover | 28–30 April 2027 | 28–30 April 2026 |
| Phase 3 | 1–5 May 2027 | 1–5 May 2026 |
Until the organiser confirms, book flights and hotels you can change or cancel. We will update this post when the official Canton Fair 2027 dates are published.
Canton Fair Phase 1, 2 and 3: which one fits your category
Each phase has a theme and its own set of product sections. The 141st session’s list is not out yet, so the table uses the organiser’s latest official guide, the 2026 Attendance Guide for Overseas Buyers (PDF). The phase themes come from the Guangdong Foreign Affairs Office. Sections can move between sessions, so check the official list once it is published.
| Phase | Theme | Main sections (2026 guide) |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | Advanced manufacturing | Household appliances; consumer electronics and information products; industrial automation and intelligent manufacturing; machinery; new materials and chemicals; new energy vehicles, vehicles and spare parts; lighting; electronic and electrical products; new energy; hardware and tools |
| Phase 2 | Quality home life | Ceramics; kitchenware and tableware; household items; home decorations; gardening; festival products; gifts and premiums; building and decorative materials; sanitary and bathroom equipment; furniture |
| Phase 3 | Better life | Toys; children, baby and maternity products; clothing, underwear and sportswear; textiles and fabrics; shoes, cases and bags; home textiles; office supplies; medicines, health products and medical devices; food; personal care; pet products |
How to choose
- Electronics, machinery, auto parts, lighting or tools: Phase 1. Leave half a day for Shenzhen’s Huaqiangbei electronics market if you buy components.
- Homeware, furniture, building materials or gifts: Phase 2.
- Apparel, textiles, toys, health or personal care: Phase 3. For context on how the garment supply chain works, see inside China’s fashion ecosystem.
- Categories across two phases: plan for the changeover days in between, which work well for factory visits (see below).
The 2026 guide also mentions a Service Robots Zone and an Intelligent Healthcare Zone. Demand is rising too. By 17:00 on 27 October, the current autumn session had counted 278,000 overseas buyers, up 13.4% on the same point of the previous session (Xinhua). That is an interim figure, with final numbers due after the session closes on 4 November. It is still a good reason to book hotels early.
Canton Fair factory visits: use the changeover days
A booth is a sales office. To see capacity, process control and whether you are dealing with a manufacturer or a trading company, you need to visit the factory. The changeover days are the natural window: if the 2026 pattern holds, that means 20–22 April and 28–30 April 2027. Shortlist suppliers in the halls, then visit the best candidates. If this is your first time, read our guide to visiting Chinese factories first.
The complex has its own Guangdong Intercity station, called Pazhou, alongside Metro Lines 8 and 11. Foreign Visa, Mastercard and UnionPay cards work at Guangzhou Metro gates (Guangzhou Daily). Typical travel times from Pazhou:
Dongguan
Pazhou to Dongguan West takes about 30 minutes by intercity train, and the fare is ¥19. Before the line opened in September 2025, the trip took 84 minutes (Guangzhou Daily).
Foshan
Pazhou to Foshan West takes about 40 minutes by intercity, according to a published timetable. Stopping trains continue to Zhangcha, Shunde North, Beijiao West and Chencun (Nanfang+).
Shenzhen
A direct intercity train runs from Pazhou to Shenzhen Airport (Bao’an) in 61 minutes. When it launched in July 2026, only about five trains a day ran southbound, the last at 18:19 (Guangzhou government portal).
For central Shenzhen, change at Guangzhou South (reached from Pazhou by intercity via Panyu station). The fastest G trains to Shenzhen North take about 29 minutes (published timetable).
Timetables change. Check times and buy tickets on 12306, China Railway’s official booking site. Intercity trains run like a metro: a same-day ticket is valid on any train that day.
May Day 2027: expect Phase 3 to be busy
China’s State Council has not yet published the 2027 public holiday calendar. The 2026 notice came out on 4 November 2025. That year, the May Day holiday ran from 1 to 5 May (State Council General Office), the same days as Phase 3. The legal minimum is two days, 1 and 2 May (State Council Decree No. 795). In 2027, 1 May falls on a Saturday.
If 2027 follows the 2026 pattern, Phase 3 will overlap the holiday again. Expect peak demand for trains, flights and hotels, so book refundable options early. Factory visits during the holiday may be harder to arrange, so plan them for the changeover days instead.
Canton Fair buyer registration and entry rules
Rules as of 29 October 2026, from official sources only. Check them again before you travel.
Buyer registration is free and open all year
Overseas buyers can pre-register at any time at buyer.cantonfair.org.cn (organiser notice). First-time attendees take three steps:
- Create an account.
- Complete the pre-registration questionnaire.
- Apply for a badge.
The badge is free, including replacements and renewals, and a valid badge from a previous session still works (Badge Guide). Pre-registered buyers can collect the badge quickly at the complex, the airport or designated hotels. Bring your original passport, a business card and the pre-registration QR code.
Invitation letter
New buyers can tick “Generate invitation letter simultaneously” when they apply for the badge. Returning buyers request the letter in the Buyer Service System (Guide on Invitation Application). The letter supports a visa application. The application window for the 141st session has not been published.
EU and UK buyers
Most EU countries and the UK get 30 days visa-free for business, and trade fairs count (Chinese Embassy FAQ). The policy currently runs until 31 December 2026 (National Immigration Administration; MFA on the UK). No extension into 2027 has been announced. The last extension was announced in November 2025 (gov.cn).
The Czech Republic and Lithuania are not on the 30-day list. Citizens of those countries need a visa or the 240-hour transit option. UK readers can also check GOV.UK travel advice.
Singapore buyers
Singapore and China have a mutual 30-day visa exemption, in force since 9 February 2024, with no end date (ICA).
US buyers
The US is not on the 30-day list. US citizens can use the 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit, but you must arrive with a confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region and enter through a designated port (National Immigration Administration). Guangzhou Baiyun is one of these ports. Ten days covers one phase at most, and Phase 1 to Phase 3 spans 21 days. If you plan to attend more than one phase, get a visa.
Visa rules change, especially around year-end. Before you book, check the latest notices from the National Immigration Administration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or your nearest Chinese embassy.
A simple planning timeline
- Now: pre-register as a buyer and list the categories you need, then match them to a phase.
- November 2026: watch for the visa-free extension decision (past extensions were announced in November) and the State Council’s 2027 holiday notice.
- When the 141st dates are published: confirm flights and hotels, and request your invitation letter if you need a visa.
- Four to six weeks before the fair: contact shortlisted suppliers and fix factory visits for the changeover days.
FAQ
When is the Canton Fair 2027?
The spring session (141st) has no official dates yet. Based on the 2026 pattern, it is expected to run in three phases: 15–19 April, 23–27 April and 1–5 May 2027. Check cantonfair.org.cn for confirmation.
Which Canton Fair phase should I attend?
Phase 1 covers advanced manufacturing, electronics, machinery and vehicles. Phase 2 covers home goods, furniture and building materials. Phase 3 covers textiles, toys, health and lifestyle products. This is based on the 2026 buyer guide, as the 2027 list is not out yet.
Is Canton Fair buyer registration free?
Yes. Pre-registration is open all year at buyer.cantonfair.org.cn, and badge applications, replacements and renewals are free (Badge Guide).
Do I need a visa for the Canton Fair 2027?
It depends on your passport. Most EU citizens and UK citizens can currently enter for 30 days visa-free, but the policy ends on 31 December 2026 unless extended. Singapore has a mutual 30-day exemption. US citizens need a visa for more than one phase.
Can I combine the Canton Fair with factory visits?
Yes. The changeover days between phases (expected 20–22 and 28–30 April 2027) are the best time. Dongguan and Foshan are under an hour from Pazhou by intercity train.
Does the Canton Fair overlap the May Day holiday?
In 2026, Phase 3 fell on exactly the same days as the May Day holiday (1–5 May). The 2027 holiday has not been announced, but expect a similar overlap and busy trains and hotels.
Join our sourcing and factory-visit expedition
Turn a fair visit into supplier decisions. Our sourcing and industrial expedition is built for buyer groups and procurement leaders: walk pre-screened factory floors, meet owners directly, and leave with multiple qualified suppliers. Every route is bespoke, designed around your own agenda.
