With over 25,000 exhibitors spread across 1.5 million square meters, the Canton Fair is an importer's paradise. However, showing up on the wrong dates is a costly mistake. The fair is strictly divided into three phases, and each phase features entirely different product categories.
If you are booking a Canton Fair Tour Package, you must ensure your travel dates align perfectly with your industry's designated phase.
Phase 1: Heavy Industry, Tech, and Hardware
Dates: April 15-19 (Spring) | October 15-19 (Autumn)
Phase 1 is dominated by technology, machinery, and building materials. If your business imports heavy equipment or tech, this is your phase.
- Electronics & Appliances: Consumer electronics, computers, home appliances, and lighting equipment.
- Machinery & Tools: Heavy building machinery, agricultural machinery, power tools, and hand tools.
- Vehicles: Bicycles, motorcycles, automotive spare parts, and new energy vehicles.
Phase 2: Consumer Goods, Gifts, and Home Decor
Dates: April 23-27 (Spring) | October 23-27 (Autumn)
Phase 2 is the busiest phase for retail buyers, Amazon FBA sellers, and boutique owners. It focuses entirely on everyday consumer items.
- Home Decor: Furniture, glass art, ceramics, gardening products, and home decorations.
- Consumer Goods: Kitchenware, tableware, bathroom equipment, and personal care products.
- Gifts & Toys: Corporate gifts, festival products, plush toys, and educational toys.
Phase 3: Textiles, Fashion, and Medical
Dates: May 1-5 (Spring) | Oct 31-Nov 4 (Autumn)
Phase 3 caters to the fashion, textile, and healthcare industries.
- Textiles & Garments: Men's/women's clothing, underwear, sportswear, raw fabrics, and home textiles.
- Accessories: Footwear, cases, bags, and office supplies.
- Medical & Health: Medical devices, health products, medicines, and hospital equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Where can I find mobile phones and accessories?
Mobile phones, chargers, power banks, cases, and all related telecommunication accessories are exclusively exhibited during Phase 1 of the Canton Fair. This falls under the 'Consumer Electronics and Information Products' category.
If you are an Indian electronics importer, you will find massive pavilions in Area A and Area B dedicated entirely to smart devices, networking equipment, and electronic components. Do not book travel for Phase 2 or 3 if mobile accessories are your primary sourcing goal.
2. Which phase features furniture and home decor?
Furniture, home decorations, and interior design products are the centerpiece of Phase 2. This phase is entirely dedicated to consumer goods and lifestyle products, making it the most popular phase for global retail buyers and interior designers.
You will find extensive exhibitions covering indoor living room furniture, outdoor patio sets, office furniture, hotel furnishings, glass art, ceramics, and woven rattan products. If you import for home goods retail, Phase 2 is mandatory.
3. Are clothes and shoes in the same phase?
Yes, both clothing (garments) and footwear (shoes) are exclusively exhibited during Phase 3 of the Canton Fair. This final phase is heavily focused on the fashion, textile, and apparel industries.
The fair features distinct pavilions for men's and women's clothing, kids' wear, sports and casual wear, underwear, and fashion accessories. Separately, there are massive halls dedicated solely to men's, women's, and children's shoes, as well as sports and specialized industrial footwear.
4. Where do I find toys for children?
The entire toy industry—including baby toys, educational toys, electronic and remote-control toys, action figures, and plush dolls—is showcased during Phase 2. Toys are categorized under 'Gifts and Premium Products'.
For Indian importers, Phase 2 provides a critical opportunity to meet directly with toy manufacturers to ensure their products meet the stringent BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) certification requirements necessary for legal import into India.
5. Which phase has heavy machinery and tools?
Heavy machinery, industrial equipment, and hardware tools are strictly featured in Phase 1. This phase is the industrial backbone of the Canton Fair, catering to construction, manufacturing, and agricultural importers.
You will find everything from large-scale construction machinery and CNC routers to small agricultural equipment, power tools, hand tools, and welding equipment. The heavy machinery is often displayed in the outdoor exhibition areas of the Pazhou Complex.
6. Where can I source medical equipment?
Medical devices, hospital equipment, and health products are exclusively exhibited during Phase 3. This section of the fair caters to healthcare importers, hospital administrators, and pharmaceutical distributors.
The medical pavilions feature a wide range of products, including diagnostic equipment, surgical instruments, hospital beds, massage and rehabilitation devices, traditional Chinese medicine, and general health and wellness supplements.
7. Are car parts and auto accessories in Phase 1?
Yes, the 'Vehicles and Spare Parts' category is a major component of Phase 1. If you import automotive accessories into India, you will find an enormous selection of suppliers during the first five days of the fair.
This category includes spare parts for cars and motorcycles, vehicle electronics, tires, automotive maintenance tools, and decorative accessories. Phase 1 also features complete vehicles, including bicycles, electric scooters, motorcycles, and specialized utility vehicles.
8. Which phase is best for Amazon FBA sellers?
While Amazon FBA sellers can find products in all three phases, Phase 2 is by far the most popular and relevant for e-commerce sellers. Phase 2 focuses on consumer goods, kitchenware, home decor, and gifts—the exact types of products that dominate Amazon's marketplaces.
Phase 2 allows you to source lightweight, high-margin consumer products that are easy to ship and store in FBA warehouses, such as kitchen gadgets, pet supplies, bathroom accessories, and festival decorations.
9. Where do I find building materials like tiles?
Building and decorative materials, including ceramic tiles, sanitary ware, flooring, and bathroom hardware, are exhibited during Phase 1. This phase caters to real estate developers, contractors, and building material importers.
You will find massive displays of plumbing fixtures, shower cabins, wall panels, wallpaper, and specialized architectural glass. If you are sourcing materials for a construction project, Phase 1 is essential.
10. Are raw fabrics and yarn sold at the fair?
Yes, Phase 3 features a massive 'Textile Raw Materials and Fabrics' pavilion. In addition to finished garments, you can source the raw materials required for manufacturing clothing and home textiles.
This section includes suppliers of cotton, silk, synthetic fibers, yarns, industrial textiles, and specialized fabrics. Indian textile manufacturers frequently attend Phase 3 to source innovative synthetic blends and advanced manufacturing materials.
11. Which phase features cosmetics and personal care?
Cosmetics, beauty products, toiletries, and personal care items are exhibited during Phase 2. This falls under the broader 'Consumer Goods' category.
Importers can source makeup, skincare products, bath accessories, perfumes, and professional salon equipment. However, buyers must be aware of India's strict CDSCO regulations regarding the import and registration of foreign cosmetics before placing large orders.
12. Where can I find lighting and LED products?
The entire lighting equipment industry is featured prominently in Phase 1. The Canton Fair is famous for its dazzling lighting pavilions, which take up several entire halls within the complex.
You will find suppliers for LED lighting, commercial and industrial lighting, decorative chandeliers, outdoor and street lighting, and smart home lighting systems. If you deal in electricals or lighting, you must attend Phase 1.
13. Are food and agricultural products at the fair?
Yes, food and native produce are typically exhibited during Phase 3. This section features suppliers of tea, coffee, snacks, canned foods, spices, and various agricultural products.
However, it is important to note that the food pavilion at the Canton Fair is relatively small compared to massive specialized food expos like SIAL or Anuga. The Canton Fair is primarily focused on manufactured goods and industrial products rather than fresh agriculture.
14. Can I find office supplies and stationery?
Office supplies, stationery, and writing instruments are exhibited during Phase 3. This category includes everything from pens, notebooks, and folders to calculators, shredders, and desktop organizers.
Additionally, Phase 3 also features the 'Cases and Bags' pavilion, where you can source backpacks, briefcases, luggage, and laptop bags, which often overlap with the office supply and back-to-school retail sectors.
15. What if my products are in two different phases?
It is very common for diverse trading companies to require products from multiple phases (e.g., Electronics in Phase 1 and Home Decor in Phase 2). In this case, you simply need to stay in Guangzhou for a longer duration.
Your single Canton Fair Buyer Badge grants you entry to all phases. During the 3-day changeover interval between phases, you can use the downtime to visit local wholesale markets, inspect nearby factories, or simply explore the city until the next phase opens.
