Which Canton Fair Phase Should You Attend? Industry Breakdown by Phase

After 20 years of sourcing in China, I’ve seen too many first-time buyers waste precious days at the Canton Fair wandering through the wrong halls. The fair is enormous—over 400,000 square meters—and split into three distinct phases by industry. If you don’t plan which phase to attend, you’ll miss your best suppliers and burn out quickly. Here’s how to align your product category with the right phase so you can maximize every hour.

Canton Fair phases

Every importer who plans to source goods from China should attend the Canton Fair. It is an ideal opportunity to learn about Chinese suppliers and their products. The wide range of industries and exhibitors ensures that everyone will find the product they are looking for.

However, it is important to remember that the exhibition complex is so massive that getting around it all is impossible. This is why you should check in advance which phase of the fair you should attend based on your industry of interest and see the Canton Fair map. The following are the industries you will find at each phase of the Canton Fair.

• Organizer: China Foreign Trade Centre
• Location: Chinese Export Commodities Fair (Pazhou) Complex (address: Xingang Dong, Haizhu, Guangzhou, China)
• Fair area: approx. 400,000 m²
• Website: cantonfair.org.cn
• Spring session: April-May
• Autumn session: October-November

Canton Fair — phase 1

Spring session: from 15th to 19th April

Autumn session: from 15th to 19th October

From 9:30 am to 6 pm

During the first phase of the Canton Fair, you will find exhibitors from industries such as electronics, consumer electronics and appliances, lighting, vehicles and related parts, machinery, building materials as well as chemical products.

• Consumer electronics and information products
• Electronic and electrical products
• Household electrical appliances
• Lighting equipment
• Bicycles
• Motorcycles
• Automotive spare parts
• Vehicles
• Construction and agricultural machinery (indoor, outdoor)
• Machinery, small processing machinery, industrial accessories
• Large machinery and equipment
• Power machinery and electric power
• Computer equipment
• Tools
• Chemical products
• New energy resources
• International pavilion:
  • Electronics and electrical household appliances
  • Building materials, hardware
  • Machinery
  • Food and beverages
  • Home accessories.

Canton Fair — phase 2

Spring session: from 23rd to 27th April

Autumn session: from 23rd to 27th October

From 9:30 am to 6 pm

During the second phase of the Canton Fair, suppliers from the following sectors are exhibiting: consumer goods, gifts (souvenirs) and home furnishings.

• Building and decorative materials
• Sanitary and bathroom equipment
• Ceramics
• Household items
• Kitchenware and tableware
• Personal care products
• Pet products
• Clocks, watches and optical instruments
• Seasonal items
• Souvenirs
• Artistic ceramics
• Furniture
• Garden equipment
• Glass decor accessories
• Home decor
• Stone and iron decorations and spa equipment
• Weaving, rattan and iron products.

Canton Fair — phase 3

Spring session: from 1st to 5th May

Autumn session: from 31st October to 4th November

From 9:30 am to 6 pm

The third phase of the Canton Fair is dedicated to the following industries: textiles and clothing, office supplies, recreational products, medical equipment, and food.

• Animals’ products
• Toys
• Mom and baby products
• Toiletries
• Men’s and women’s clothing
• Kids’ wear
• Underwear
• Sports and casual wear
• Furs, leather, downs, and related products
• Fashion accessories and fittings
• Footwear
• Home textiles
• Textile raw materials and fabrics
• Carpets and tapestries
• Cases and bags
• Office supplies
• Sports, tourist, and recreational equipment
• Medicines, health products, and medical equipment
• Food
• International pavilion:
  • Electronics and electrical household appliances
  • Construction materials, hardware
  • Machinery
  • Food and beverages
  • Home accessories.

What is worth knowing about the Canton Fair?

We have outlined the Canton Fair phases and industries above. Be sure to find out what date and hall the exhibitors you are interested in will be attending.

If you are not sure which phase of the Canton Fair to attend, you can use the product and manufacturer search bar on the official Canton Fair website. There you will find all the products and exhibitors, along with information on when they will be at the fair.

Whether you’re sourcing electronics in Phase 1 or textiles in Phase 3, pre-planning your Canton Fair visit is half the battle. Once you’ve identified promising exhibitors, don’t stop there—have a China-Check team verify their credentials or conduct a quality inspection before you place a large order. A little upfront diligence saves months of headaches down the road.