Canton fair registration started!
Great news! Our clients just got their Canton Fair invitation letter—some of the very first ones! Now they can apply for a China business visa.
If you have a U.S. passport, this invite can get you a 10-year multiple-entry China business visa!
And if you’re from countries where it’s usually hard to get a Chinese visa—like Pakistan, Nigeria, Turkey, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Algeria, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Cameroon, Iraq, Iran, Tunisia or Syria and many others—this is your chance!
Exhibition time
The 138th Canton Fair is scheduled to be opened on October 15th, 2025.
The onsite exhibition:
Phase 1: October 15th to 19th
Phase 2: October 23rd to 27th
Phase 3: October 31st to November 4th
Time for booth dismantling and setup: October 20th to 22nd 2025, October 28th to 30th, 2025.
Category:
Phase 1: Consumer Electronics and Information Products, Household electrical appliances, Spare parts, Lighting Equipment, Electronic and electrical products, Hardware, Tools.
Phase 2: General ceramics, Household items, Kitchenware & tableware, Weaving, rattan and iron products, Gardening products, Home decorations, Festival products, Gifts and premiums, Glass artware, Art ceramics, Clocks, watches & optical instruments, Building and decorative materials, Sanitary and bathroom equipment, Furniture.
Phase 3: Home textiles, Carpets & tapestries, Men and women’s clothing, Underwear, Sports and casual wear, Furs, leather, downs & related products, Fashion accessories and fittings, Textile raw materials & fabrics, Shoes, Cases and bags, Food, Sports, travel and recreation products, Medicines, Health Products and Medical Devices, Pet Products & Food, Toiletries, Personal care products, Office supplies, Toys, Kids’ wear, Children, Baby & Maternity Products.
Obtain Your Invitation Letter (Required for Chinese Visa)
You need a Chinese Business (M) Visa. To apply for it, you need an Canton fair invitation letter from the Fair.
- How to get it: You can apply through the Canton Fair’s buyer center use our step-by-step to get canton fair invitation letter, or you can ask us to help you for a small extra cost.
- Visa Application: Use the invitation letter and our Step-by-Step Guide to Completing the China Online Visa Application(COVA), complete the COVA China online visa application form, Requirements are standard: passport, application form, invitation letter, driver license, Here you can find guide for apply 10 year multiple Chinese visa guide. Apply at least one month in advance.
Warm reminder: If you really don’t have time to apply for an canton fair invitation letter and a Chinese business visa, or don’t know where to start, you can entrust us to handle the application on your behalf. We provide end-to-end services from the canton fair invitation letter to the Chinese business visa.
Book Flights and Accommodation
- Flights: Fly into Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN). Major US carriers don’t fly direct; you’ll connect through hubs like Seoul, Tokyo, Taipei, Dubai, Qatar or Hong Kong.
- Hotels:BOOK EARLY. Prices skyrocket during the Fair. Online travel platforms like trip.com can be used to search for and book accommodation. When making a reservation, pay attention to the location, reviews, and amenities offered.
- Top Choice: Hotels on Pazhou Island, especially the China Import and Export Fair Complex is located. The Shangri-La and Canton Fair Hotel are supremely convenient but expensive.
- Good Alternatives: Hotels along Line 8 of the Guangzhou Metro (which goes directly to the fairgrounds). Look in the Yuexiu or Tianhe districts for more options and better value.
- Consider Airbnb in modern complexes for longer stays, but ensure they are foreigner-friendly.
Consider China eSIM
Want to travel to China but worried about internet restrictions? Then you definitely need to know about eSIM. eSIM is a virtual SIM card technology that has become increasingly popular in recent years. It doesn’t require a physical card—just scan a QR code or install it through an app, and you can quickly activate internet service. For Americans, eSIM is already quite common, and almost all U.S. phones support it.
For travelers heading to China for tourism, short business trips, or family visits, a China eSIM offers a lighter, more convenient internet option that works instantly, without the hassle of lining up to buy a SIM card or swapping one out.
Currently, the China eSIMs available for purchase in the U.S. come with network routing that bypasses the firewall, allowing you to smoothly use services like ChatGPT, Perplexity, Google, Gemini, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube while in China. I can always find the most cost-effective China eSIM on Trip.com
Whether you’re a leisure traveler, a business visitor, or a frequent flyer to China, eSIM makes your online experience faster and easier
but if you prefer traditional way, China has a vast mobile network. You can purchase a local SIM card at the airport or in a mobile phone store to stay connected. Make sure your phone is unlocked before you travel to China. Wi – Fi is also available in many hotels, restaurants, and cafes, but the connection speed may vary.
Travel insurance
Travel insurance is not mandatory for China, but highly recommended get one before trip. Travel insurance can minimize the considerable financial risks of traveling: accidents, illness, missed flights, canceled tours, lost baggage, theft, terrorism, travel-company bankruptcies, emergency evacuation or other seriously condition, we found safety wing always have good price for travel insurance.
Payment Method
In China, mobile payment is extremely popular, and both Alipay and WeXin Pay offer convenient payment solutions for foreigners.
- Download and Installation:
Both apps are available on the Apple Store and Google Play. It is recommended to download and set them up before arriving in China to avoid network connectivity issues after entry. - Account Registration:
You can register directly with your U.S. phone number. Simply receive and enter the SMS verification code to verify your number. - Identity Verification:
Follow the in-app instructions to upload a photo of your passport and complete facial recognition. This step is necessary to increase transaction limits; if skipped, some features and transaction limits may be restricted. - Linking Bank Cards:
You can add major international cards such as Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Discover, and Diners Club. - Payment Use:
Both in-store and online payments are smooth and easy to use throughout China.
Service Fees:
- For single transactions up to 200 RMB, there are generally no additional service fees.
- For single transactions above 200 RMB, users may be charged a service fee of approximately 3% of the transaction amount.
The Alipay app can be used for a wide range of services, including rideshare like DIDI, booking hotels, buying attraction tickets, taking public transportation, checking exchange rates, and more.
Getting Around
- Metro (Subway): The best way to get around. Line 8 goes directly to the Xingang Dong (新港东) and Pazhou (琶洲) stations, which exit right into the fair complex.
- Taxi/Didi: Didi is China’s Uber. The app works well, but you’ll need your Alipay connected for payment. Have your hotel write your destination in Chinese to show taxi drivers.
- Walking: The fair complex itself is enormous. Wear those comfortable shoes.
At the Fair: First Day Strategy
- Get Oriented: The complex is divided into three main areas (A, B, C) and dozens of halls. Use the directory maps.
- Get a Paper Map: While there’s an app, the paper map is easier to mark up.
- Scan, Don’t Carry: Suppliers will try to give you massive catalogs. Politely decline and ask them to scan the QR code on your badge. This digitally sends their catalog to your Fair account. Take a photo of the booth number and product instead.
- Be Strategic: Don’t try to see everything. Identify the halls for your industry and focus there.
Language and Culture
- Language: English is spoken in the booths, but proficiency varies. Speak slowly and clearly. Use simple terms. The Google Translate app (with camera function to translate signs) is invaluable.
- Culture: Be patient. Building guanxi (relationship) is important. Business is not always as fast-paced as in the US. A short, polite conversation before diving into business is appreciated.
Final Pro-Tips for Americans
- Jet Lag is Real: Guangzhou is 12-15 hours ahead of the US, Even more if have stopover. Give yourself a day to adjust if possible.
- It’s a Marathon: Pace yourself. The Fair is overwhelming. Don’t burn out on the first day.
- Network: Talk to other attendees. You can learn a lot from fellow importers.
- Enjoy Guangzhou! It’s a fantastic, modern city with incredible food (try Dim Sum!). Take an evening off to explore.
By following this guide, you’ll be well-prepared to navigate the Canton Fair successfully and turn it into a profitable sourcing trip. Good luck