The Canton Fair is one of the most direct ways for Singapore businesses to meet Chinese suppliers in person. This guide breaks down how you can plan your first visit
Key takeaways
- The Canton Fair, officially the China Import and Export Fair, is held twice a year in Guangzhou — typically in April–May (spring) and October–November (autumn).
- The fair runs in three phases, each covering different product categories, so timing your visit to the right phase matters.
- Singapore passport holders can enter China visa-free for short business stays, but still need to register and obtain a Buyer Badge to attend.
The Canton Fair is China’s largest and longest-running trade event, held twice a year in Guangzhou. For Singapore businesses sourcing products from China, whether for e-commerce, retail, manufacturing or wholesale, it’s one of the most direct ways to meet thousands of suppliers in person.
It also gives business owners inspect product samples and negotiate face-to-face. This guide covers how to register for the Canton Fair and make the most of your visit.
What is the Canton Fair?
The Canton Fair, officially known as the China Import and Export Fair, has been running since 1957 and is the longest-running and the largest trade fair in China. It’s held twice a year in Guangzhou:
- Spring session which is organized in late April-May
- Autumn session which is organized in October-November
The fair connects international buyers with Chinese manufacturers and suppliers across thousands of product categories. Business owners can take this opportunity to meet suppliers in person, inspect samples instead of waiting for them to get delivered, negotiate pricing directly, and build long-term business relationships when sourcing products from China.
Date: October 15 to November 5, 2026
- Phase 1: October 15th to 19th
- Phase 2: October 23rd to 27th
- Phase 3: October 31st to November 5th
Opening hours: 9:30am to 6pm local time
Location: Canton Fair Complex, No. 380, Yuejiang Zhong Road, Guangzhou, China
The three phases of the Canton Fair
The Canton Fair is split into three phases, each lasting about five days, with each phase focusing on different product categories. Time your visit to the phase that matches the products you’re sourcing.
How to attend the Canton Fair from Singapore
Step 1: Register online and request an e-invitation
You need to get an e-invite and Buyer Badge to be able to attend the fair. And to do that, you need to visit the Canton Fair website and sign up using the Buyer E-service tool. New buyers can create an account by providing their business and personal details, including passport information. Returning buyers can log in with their previous year’s Buyer Badge number.
Step 2: Receive your e-invitation
The invitation letter is typically issued within a few days to a week by email. You can print this and use it if you need to apply for a Chinese visa.
Step 3: Get your Buyer Badge
The Buyer Badge is your official entry pass to the fair and works across all three phases. It can be shared with you online and you can scan the QR code at entry or you can also collect your badge on-site at the fair venue.
Do Singapore passport holders need a visa for China?
Singapore passport holders can enter mainland China visa-free for short business and tourism trips, under the visa-free arrangement between Singapore and China. For a typical Canton Fair visit of one to two weeks, you generally won’t need to apply for a separate business (M) visa.
Note: Even if you’re entering visa-free, your Canton Fair e-invitation and Buyer Badge are still required to enter the fair venue.
How much does it cost to attend?
While the cost can vary depending on your travel style, here’s what a rough budget for a Singapore-based buyer attending one phase of the Canton Fair could look like:
- Buyer Badge: Free if pre-registered online; around RMB 100 if its collected on-site
- Flights (Singapore to Guangzhou, return): Approximately SG$400-900 depending on season and booking time
- Accommodation: SG$100-300 per night depending on hotel category and proximity to the fair
- Local transport: Budget SG$20-50 per day for taxis, ride-hailing apps and metro
- Meals: SG$30-80 per day depending on choice of restaurants
- Interpreter (optional): RMB 400-800 per day for English-language interpreters
For a five-day trip, the total budget typically falls between SG$1,500 and SG$3,500, depending on choices.
How to reach the Canton Fair in Guangzhou
There are several direct flights from Singapore Changi Airport to Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, with flight time of around four hours. Once you arrive, there are three main ways to reach the fair venue:
- Direct shuttle services: Shuttles run from Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport to the fair venue during all three phases, typically between 1pm and 6pm, with a new shuttle approximately every 30 minutes. Many appointed hotels also run shuttles to the venue
- Metro: Take Line 8 to Pazhou Station (exits A, B or C) or Xingang Dong Station (exit A)
- Taxi or ride-hailing: DiDi is the main ride-hailing app in China. Just make sure to have your destination address saved in Chinese characters to share with the driver
Managing supplier payments after the fair
Finding the right suppliers is only half the work. The other half is making sure you pay them as per the terms once you’re back in Singapore. Timely payments help ensure your products are also shipped on time without any delays.
International supplier payments through traditional banks can be slow, with SWIFT transfers can take several days and high FX fees can eat into your margins.
WorldFirst is an international payments provider that helps businesses manage cross-border payments. Through the World Account, Singapore businesses can hold and send funds in 15+ major currencies including CNH, USD, GBP, EUR, SGD and AUD, with local currency account details for receiving payments.
With a World Account, you can:
- Open a dedicated CNH account to pay Chinese suppliers without needing to set up a Chinese entity or a Chinese bank account
- Pay 1688.com suppliers directly via World Pay, the only authorised international payment provider for 1688.com
- Lock in exchange rates for up to 24 months using forward contracts to protect your margins
- Send same-day or next-day payments at competitive rates (cut-off times apply)
- Collect payments from 130+ global marketplaces including Amazon, Etsy, Shopify and PayPal
FAQ
When is the Canton Fair held?
The Canton Fair is held twice a year in Guangzhou–once in spring (typically April–May) and once in autumn (typically October–November). Each edition runs in three phases over about three weeks, with each phase focused on different product categories.
How much does it cost to attend the Canton Fair from Singapore?
A five-day trip typically costs between SGD 1,500 and SGD 3,500, including flights, accommodation, local transport and meals. The Buyer Badge itself is free if you pre-register online.
How should I pay Chinese suppliers after the fair?
You can make direct international bank wire transfers (SWIFT) opt for a multi-currency account such as a World Account that supports CNH payments. With a dedicated CNH account, you can hold CNH funds and pay like a local.
This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. This article should not be regarded as constituting an offer or a solicitation to buy or sell any regulated or financial products or services. WorldFirst makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or applicability of the content, and readers are encouraged to consult with legal professionals or other professionals for advice tailored to their specific situation. WorldFirst does not guarantee the accuracy and completeness of this article and expressly disclaims any and all liability to any person in respect of the consequences of anything done or omitted to be done wholly or partly in reliance on this article.
