Canton Fair draws a record 189,000 buyers as the gifts and toys phases begin

The first phase of the 140th Canton Fair closed in Guangzhou on October 19 with a record number of overseas buyers. According to the organiser, the China Foreign Trade Center, 189,000 overseas buyers from 214 countries and regions attended, up 13.3% on the same point of the previous session. We covered the opening of this session in our earlier article.

The first phase focused on advanced manufacturing, with more than 12,000 companies across 520,000 square meters. Its halls covered electronics and home appliances, industrial automation, lighting and electrical equipment, hardware and tools, and new energy vehicles.

The Remaining Phases Include:

• Phase 2, October 23 to 27. Themed "Quality Home Life", with housewares, kitchenware, ceramics, furniture, building materials, and gifts and decorations.
• Phase 3, October 31 to November 4. Toys, baby products, clothing and textiles, shoes and bags, office supplies, and health and recreation products.

For tabletop and creator brands, Phase 2 is the place for gifts, decorations and display pieces, while Phase 3 covers toys, plush, apparel and bags.

What it means for buyers

• Expect busy suppliers. Record attendance means factories in these categories are meeting many buyers this month. Follow up on quotes quickly after the fair, while your project is still fresh to them.
• Use the fair to compare, not to commit. A booth shows what a supplier can display, not always what it makes itself. Ask for the factory address and check it before you pay a deposit.
• Collect business licenses. A company name on a booth sign may not match the name on the contract. Ask for the license and make sure the names match.
• Plan around Chinese New Year. The holiday falls on February 6, 2027, and many factories close for two to four weeks around it. Orders placed at or after the fair should have samples approved before the end of the year.
• Cannot attend in person? Most exhibitors also list products on the fair's online platform, and many are happy to send catalogs and samples after the fair.

This article is general information and not purchasing or legal advice.

Top image: The elevated walkway at the Canton Fair Complex in Guangzhou. H2NCH2COOH, CC BY SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Source: People's Daily Online, citing the China Foreign Trade Center