ACA Signature: Canton Fair Fall Session 2026

Canton Fair features thousands of exhibitors and attracts hundreds of thousands of buyers from around the world.
About this Event

The 2026 Canton Fair (China Import and Export Fair) will be held in Guangzhou, China, with thespring edition running from April 15 to May 5, 2026, and the autumn edition taking place in October and November. Each session is divided into three phases, with different product categories featured in each phase.

Autumn 2026 (140th Session)

• Phase 1: October 15–19, 2026 (Electronics, lighting, machinery, etc.)
• Phase 2: October 23–27, 2026 (Consumer goods, ceramics, etc.)
• Phase 3: October 31–November 4, 2026 (Textiles, medical products, etc.)

The Canton Fair is held at the China Import and Export Fair Complex (also known as the Canton Fair Complex), located on Pazhou Island in the Haizhu District of Guangzhou, China. It is one of the world's largest, most modern exhibition centers, spanning over 1.55 million square meters as of 2026, featuring three main areas (A, B, and C) and hosting thousands of exhibitors and hundreds of thousands of international buyers. Hotels are abundant in Guangzhou. However during the Canton Fairs, rooms can easily be sold out and we recommend that you book early through the Asia Chamber.

The Asia Chamber of America supports members accessing the Canton Fair by facilitating official, free, and expedited registration, and arranging trade missions to bridge U.S. businesses with Chinese suppliers. We offer logistical support to secure Chinese visas and provide networking opportunities to navigate the fair effectively. Side tours with factory visits and suppliers business matching can be arranged upon requests or invitation.

American buyers going direct to factories at the Canton Fair can save an average of 10% to 30% on product costs compared to sourcing from US distributors or using trading companies. For bulk orders, these savings can cover the entire cost of the trip for importers buying over $50,000 annually.

Key Savings Breakdown

• Factory Direct Advantage: By eliminating middlemen, importers typically see a 10%–30% drop in price, as trading companies often markup products by this margin.
• Negotiated Savings: Serious buyers can find factories that beat current market prices by as much as 30% through face-to-face negotiation.
• Typical Savings Range: While 30% is possible on specific items, consistent savings on initial, direct-from-factory orders generally range between 10% and 18% compared to online quotes, such as those found on Alibaba.
• Shipping & Logistics: By finding their own freight forwarder rather than using the supplier's, buyers can save an additional 10–20% on shipping costs.

Maximizing Savings at Canton Fair

• Identify True Factories: Approximately 60% of exhibitors can be trading companies. Ask for daily production capacity and offer to pay for a factory visit to verify a direct manufacturer.
• Negotiate Later: Experienced buyers often use the fair to identify potential partners and negotiate the best prices 1-2 weeks after the fair, when factories are back to work and competing for orders.
• Compare 3–5 Suppliers: Get quotes from multiple vendors and pit them against each other to achieve the lowest possible price.

Important Considerations for 2026

• Tariff Impact: US importers must account for tariffs, which are paid by the US importer, not the Chinese manufacturer.

Disclaimer: Savings can vary widely based on product category and negotiation skills.

The Asia Chamber of America (ACA) offers tiered participation packages for the Canton Fair that range from self-guided entry to all-inclusive guided tours with luxury amenities. Canton Fair Participation TiersThe pricing structure is designed to accommodate different levels of professional support, ranging from basic registration assistance to high-end delegation management.

• DIY (Members Only) – $200 per person
  This entry-level option is essentially a service fee for the Chamber to handle your official registration and invitation letter, which is required for a Chinese business visa. It does not include travel, lodging, or on-ground support.
• Savors Basic (Members Only) – $5,000 per person
  A member-exclusive "bridge" package that typically includes group-rate accommodation and access to some shared resources or networking events, providing a more structured experience than the DIY option.
• Savors Basic – $6,500 per person
  The standard rate for non-members for the basic guided package. This premium over the member price often reflects the added value of membership discounts for major events.
• Standard – $8,000 per person
  A comprehensive delegation package. It generally covers international airfare, mid-to-high-range hotel stays, daily transportation to the Canton Fair Complex, and guided tours of the fairgrounds.
• Delux (GICC Membership) – $11,999 per person
  The highest-tier offering, which typically requires a Gateway International Commerce Center (GICC) membership. This package includes five-star luxury accommodations, private translators, specialized factory tours outside of Guangzhou, and VIP networking sessions with high-level Chinese officials and industry leaders.

Sample travel plan for delegations, subject to changes.

Asia Electronics Show + Canton Fair Trade Mission
Sample 10–14 Day Delegation Program

Organized by the Asia Chamber of America

Day 1–3: Hong Kong Electronics Fair (HKTDC)

Location: Hong Kong

Participants arrive in Hong Kong to attend the annual electronics and innovation showcase hosted by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. The exhibition typically features:

• Consumer electronics
• Smart home technologies
• AIoT products
• Wearables and accessories
• EV components and battery technologies
• OEM/ODM sourcing opportunities

Activities

• VIP buyer registration and guided tours
• Supplier matchmaking sessions
• Investor networking receptions
• Meetings with Hong Kong trading companies and logistics providers

Optional Evening Programs

• Victoria Harbour networking cruise
• Hong Kong fintech and startup ecosystem tour

Day 4–8: Canton Fair

Location: Guangzhou

Delegates attend the Canton Fair, the world’s largest trade exhibition, divided into three phases:

Phase I

• Electronics
• Home appliances
• Industrial automation
• Machinery and vehicles

Phase II

• Consumer goods
• Home décor
• Kitchenware
• Furniture and gifts

Phase III

• Textiles and apparel
• Medical products
• Office supplies
• Pet products and beauty products

ACA Delegation Services

• Buyer badges and registration support
• Canton Fair transportation coordination
• Translation and sourcing assistance
• Private supplier introductions
• Visa applications and extensions, hotel and ground transportation coordination when necessary
• Evening networking dinners with manufacturers and local officials

Optional Post-Fair Excursions
Option A: Greater Bay Area Factory Tours

Locations: Shenzhen, Dongguan, Foshan, Zhongshan

Delegates travel in Mainland China for curated factory visits and industrial park tours throughout the Greater Bay Area (GBA), one of the world’s largest manufacturing ecosystems.

Typical Factory Categories

• Consumer electronics assembly
• Home appliance manufacturing
• Precision machinery
• Furniture and lighting
• Beauty and personal care products
• Pet supplies and packaging

Program Features

• Factory audits and supplier qualification
• OEM/ODM negotiation meetings
• Cross-border logistics and tariff briefings
• Investment and industrial park presentations

Option B: Guilin & Liuzhou Cultural and Industrial Tour

Locations: Guilin and Liuzhou

Designed for delegates seeking both cultural immersion and industrial insight.

Guilin Highlights

• Li River cruise
• Karst mountain landscape tours
• Rural revitalization and eco-tourism case studies

Liuzhou Highlights

• Automotive and industrial manufacturing visits
• EV and machinery supplier meetings
• Local specialty food and cultural programs

This option is popular for relationship-building and executive networking in a less formal setting.

Asia America Business Roundtable

The Asia Chamber of America will host the Asia America Business Roundtable during the upcoming APEC China 2026 in Shenzhen this November, bringing together business leaders, policymakers, investors, technology innovators, and community stakeholders from across the Asia-Pacific region. The roundtable will focus on trade, advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, supply chain resilience, workforce development, sustainability, and cross-border investment opportunities between the United States and Asia. Hosted alongside the broader APEC activities, the initiative aims to strengthen economic dialogue, foster strategic partnerships, and promote practical cooperation between American and Asian business communities at a time when Shenzhen is emerging as a central hub for innovation, digital economy collaboration, and regional economic integration. Register separately.