Canton Fair: dates, buyer badge, getting there

Before you go

The 140th Canton Fair (China Import and Export Fair) is planned in three phases at the Canton Fair Complex in Guangzhou: 15–19 October, 23–27 October, and 31 October–4 November 2026. Interval days between phases are 20–22 and 28–30 October. Check the official Canton Fair or MOFCOM notice before you travel.

China entry (visa-free, transit, arrival card) is separate from Fair badges. Use our existing visa-free tracks and arrival card pages; for any visa application, check with the Chinese embassy or consulate. A Fair invitation is not entry approval.

China's visa-free transit requires a confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region. How long you can stay, where, and which ports apply are set by the NIA transit policy (Chinese); see our visa-free tracks. Border officers decide entry.

Buyer registration & invitation

Overseas buyers need a Canton Fair Buyer Badge to enter the Complex. Canton Fair and MOFCOM say overseas buyer pre-registration is open year-round on the official site or app (buyer.cantonfair.org.cn).

MOFCOM says new overseas buyers can finish pre-registration online and apply for badges free of charge at alternative offices such as Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, Guangzhou South Railway Station, Pazhou Ferry Terminal, designated hotels, and the Fair’s Hong Kong office — hours and lists can change by session.

Canton Fair also lets buyers apply for a Fair invitation letter in the Buyer Service System. The Fair’s Hong Kong office page says a Canton Fair Invitation “can be used to apply for China Visa” and is “not necessary” if you do not need a visa. That is not a visa and does not guarantee entry. Follow embassy rules and our visa-free tracks / arrival card pages.

Getting to the venue

Venue address on the Fair site: China Import and Export Fair Complex, No. 382 Yuejiang Zhong Road, Guangzhou. Opening hours listed as 9:30–18:00.

A Fair transport note (for a recent session) points to Guangzhou Metro Line 8 (Pazhou / Xingangdong) and Line 11 (Pazhou) exits for the Complex. For airport landing and city rail tickets, use our airport exit and rail 12306 pages.

The Canton Fair says overseas buyers holding a foreign passport can get their badge free at its reporting point at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport. Bring your passport, pre-registration receipt and business card. Check the Canton Fair's notice (Chinese) for location and opening hours.

Last checked 2026-10-14
Canton Fair Hong Kong Representative Office: Remote badge collection notice (Chinese)

Metro during the Fair

Metro service plans may change. Check Guangzhou Metro's notices before you travel.

During the Canton Fair, Guangzhou Metro says it is running extra trains on Lines 4, 8 and 11 to cut waiting times.

Pazhou station is served by Lines 8 and 11. To change between them you walk outside through dedicated transfer gates; Guangzhou Metro says this is charged as one trip if you transfer within 30 minutes.

At closing time, Guangzhou Metro plans to send extra empty trains to Pazhou, Xingang East and Wanshengwei. Expect crowds and follow staff directions.

Guangzhou Metro says fair-themed 1-, 3- and 5-day metro passes are on sale; the 5-day pass is sold only at the Fair venue.

Paying by foreign card: see Metro and bus codes.

Last checked 2026-10-14
Guangzhou Metro news, 13 Oct 2026 (Chinese)

Paying on site

Canton Fair and MOFCOM pages we checked do not publish Fair-only rules for foreign cards, Alipay, WeChat Pay, cash, or ATMs at the venue. For everyday payment options in China, see our paying pages.

Fair dates, registration and transport details may change. Last checked 7 Oct 2026.