Canton Fair 2025: Dates, Location, Cost & Full Guide

Walking into the China Import and Export Fair’s Pazhou Complex for the first time is an almost physical shock: 1.5 million square meters of exhibition space packed with 70,000 booths, each one a potential supply chain breakthrough. If you are an international buyer planning to attend the 138th Canton Fair this autumn, the sheer scale of it can feel overwhelming unless you go in with a clear strategy. Below is everything verified and practical you need to plan a focused, productive visit from October 15 through November 4, 2025.

Location: Pazhou Complex, Guangzhou ·
Autumn 2025 Dates: October 15 to November 4 ·
Frequency: Twice a year (Spring and Autumn) ·
Phases: 3 phases covering electronics, consumer goods, etc. ·
Official Site: cantonfair.org.cn

Where is the Canton Fair 2025 exhibition?

The 138th Canton Fair occupies the Pazhou Complex in Guangzhou’s Haizhu District, an area purpose-built for the event and now recognized as Asia’s largest exhibition center at over 1.18 million square meters (Xnova International, trade consultancy). The address to keep handy is near Xingang East Road, easily reachable via Metro Line 8 at Xingang Station or Pazhou Station.

Pazhou Complex details

• Total exhibition space exceeds 1.18 million sqm across multiple halls
• 70,000+ booths available during each session
• Dedicated international buyer service areas on-site

Guangzhou access tips

Most international buyers fly into Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN), then take the Metro Line 3 to Kecun or Line 8 to Pazhou. During the fair, shuttle buses also operate from key downtown hotels. From Hong Kong, the high-speed rail connects in roughly 1 hour to Guangzhou South Station, making a day trip feasible for some buyers.

The implication: arriving prepared with a metro card and hotel near Pazhou saves hours compared to relying on taxis during peak morning entry.

How much does it cost to attend the Canton Fair?

Entry is free for buyers who complete pre-registration through the official buyer portal at cantonfair.org.cn (official fair organizer). Walk-in registration without a badge is discouraged because queues on the first day can exceed two hours.

Entry fees

• Pre-registered buyer badge: free with verified business credentials
• On-site QR code collection: possible but time-intensive
• Individual visitors without business registration: not formally supported

Registration costs

First-time international buyers can obtain a free badge by submitting an e-invitation through the official site or approved third-party channels like the WorldFirst Guide PDF (trade finance platform). The process asks for company registration details and a valid passport.

Additional expenses

• Flights from major hubs: $600–$1,500 round-trip depending on origin
• Hotel near Pazhou: $80–$200 per night during fair weeks
• Interpreter services if not Mandarin-proficient: $150–$300 per day
• Local transport and meals: budget $50–$80 daily

Canton Fair 2025 Dates and Phases

The 138th Canton Fair runs from October 15 to November 4, 2025, split across three distinct phases, each lasting five days with a brief dismantling period between them (The Canton Fair China, phase schedule specialist).

Autumn 2025 full schedule

• Phase 1: October 15–19, 2025
• Dismantling/Setup gap: October 20–22, 2025
• Phase 2: October 23–27, 2025
• Dismantling/Setup gap: October 28–30, 2025
• Phase 3: October 31–November 4, 2025

What is Phase 2 of Canton Fair October 2025?

Phase 2 centers on home and lifestyle products, covering furniture, ceramics, kitchenware, gifts, and home décor categories (WorldFirst, trade insights). This phase tends to attract retailers and design professionals sourcing for retail shelves or private-label programs.

Phase 1 and Phase 2 overview

Phase 1 covers industrial and electronics categories including new energy vehicles, hardware, tools, machinery, appliances, and lighting equipment. Phase 3 rounds out the fair with textiles, clothing, health products, toys, shoes, and food items.

The pattern: three distinct buying audiences—OEM engineers, home-goods retailers, and FMCG importers—each find their core sourcing window within these five-day windows.

Timeline at a glance

The phase breakdown below organizes 21 days of fair activity into discrete sourcing windows, each separated by three-day changeover periods when suppliers reset their booths.

Is 2 days enough for the Canton Fair?

Two days is insufficient for most buyers. The Pazhou Complex spans over 1.18 million square meters with more than 70,000 booths; covering even a single phase thoroughly requires multiple days (Kanod Windows, buyer playbook).

Recommended visit duration

• Single phase: minimum 3 days per phase
• Two phases: 5–6 days total
• All three phases: 10+ days including dismantling gaps

Phase coverage strategy

Most first-time buyers focus on one or two phases aligned with their product categories. Phase 1 works best for engineers and OEM sourcing. Phase 2 suits retailers and product designers. Phase 3 is essential for fast-moving consumer goods importers.

Visiting tips

• Arrive before 9:30 AM to clear security without 45-minute queues
• Use the official Canton Fair app to map booths before each day
• Request supplier business cards and scan QR codes on-site
• Schedule follow-up meetings at the dedicated buyer lounges

What this means: serious buyers should commit at least three full days per phase to maximize booth coverage and supplier negotiations.

What currency is used at the Canton Fair?

Transactions at the Canton Fair primarily use Chinese Yuan (CNY), though many suppliers accept major credit cards or wire transfers in USD or EUR if arranged in advance (WorldFirst, trade finance platform).

Payment options

• Chinese Yuan (CNY) cash for small (samples)
• Credit cards accepted at most major booth suppliers
• Bank transfers for bulk orders arranged through supplier contracts
• Alipay or WeChat Pay for smaller purchases

Guangzhou weather and best visit months

October is among the best months to visit Guangzhou—temperatures range from 18°C to 26°C with lower humidity than summer months. November cools further but remains comfortable for walking the vast exhibition halls. Avoiding peak summer (July–August) is strongly advised due to high humidity and temperatures above 33°C.

Which month to avoid Guangzhou?

• Avoid: July and August due to heat, rain, and typhoon risk
• Cautious: September can still see typhoon warnings
• Ideal: October through mid-November

The catch: October 15–November 4 coincides with Guangzhou’s trade fair season hotel shortage. Prices within walking distance of Pazhou often triple during fair weeks—booking six months ahead is not premature.

How to register for Canton Fair 2025

Registration for the 138th Canton Fair runs entirely through the official portal at cantonfair.org.cn (official fair organizer). The process takes 10–15 minutes if you have your business registration documents ready.

1. Visit cantonfair.org.cn and select “Buyer Registration”
2. Complete the e-invitation application with company details and passport scan
3. Receive confirmation email with QR code within 48 hours
4. Present QR code and passport at the international buyer badge counter on arrival
5. Collect your physical buyer badge and fair guide from designated zones

Hong Kong residents have a separate streamlined registration process detailed in the Cathay Pacific guide (airline travel insights).

The implication: international buyers who complete registration before September 2025 lock in their badge before on-site queues peak on opening day.

What We Know vs. What Remains Unclear

What this means: the confirmed information covers your core logistics—dates, phases, costs, and venue—but several operational details will only firm up 4–6 weeks before opening day.

What Buyers and Experts Say

“Running Oct 15 – Nov 4, 2025 at Guangzhou’s Pazhou Complex, this Asia trade giant packs 1.5 million sqm with 70,000 booths.”

— Kanod Windows Guide (Trade Buyer Playbook)

“The Canton Fair is one of the world’s largest trade events, connecting buyers and suppliers across various industries.”

— WorldFirst (Trade Finance Insights)

“Since its creation in 1957, the Canton Fair has evolved to become a benchmark for international trade.”

— Xnova International (Trade Consultancy)

The pattern: experienced buyers consistently emphasize preparation before arrival and focus on a single phase rather than attempting to cover all three.

Bottom line

The 138th Canton Fair (Autumn 2025) is a world-class sourcing opportunity that rewards preparation. First-time international buyers should pre-register immediately at cantonfair.org.cn, choose one or two relevant phases, and budget $2,000–$4,000 for logistics. Phase 1 (electronics and machinery) runs October 15–19, Phase 2 (home goods) runs October 23–27, and Phase 3 (textiles and consumer goods) runs October 31–November 4. For serious OEM buyers, engineers, and FMCG importers willing to plan ahead, the fair offers access to competitive pricing and supplier relationships that post-fair inquiries simply cannot match.