What Is the Canton Fair?
The Canton Fair (China Import and Export Fair) is held twice a year in Guangzhou — Phase 1 in April and Phase 2 in October. It is the world’s largest trade exhibition, with over 60,000 exhibitor booths spanning electronics, homewares, building materials, clothing, furniture, gifts, and machinery. For NZ businesses sourcing from China, attending the Canton Fair is one of the most efficient ways to meet dozens of potential suppliers in a single trip.
The catch? The Fair is enormous, entirely in Mandarin, and full of exhibitors who look like manufacturers but are actually trading companies. Without preparation and a guide, most first-time attendees leave with a pile of business cards and no clear next steps.
What the Canton Fair Companion Service Includes
- Pre-Fair research — We review the exhibitor directory, identify booths matching your product categories, and prepare a curated list with hall numbers, booth locations, and priority notes
- On-ground guide — Our Mandarin-speaking sourcing specialist accompanies you at the Fair for the day(s) you attend. They translate conversations, help negotiate pricing, ask the right technical questions, and flag red flags in real time
- Supplier information capture — We document every supplier you engage with: business card details, product photos, quoted pricing, MOQs, and your notes — organised into a structured report
- Post-Fair supplier vetting — After the Fair, we verify your shortlisted suppliers: business registration, factory legitimacy, export history, and production capability. This step separates real manufacturers from booth-only traders
- Factory visit coordination — While you are in Guangdong, we can arrange visits to factories in Foshan, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, or Dongguan so you see the production floor, not just the showroom
- Sample coordination — After the Fair, we manage your sample orders from shortlisted suppliers — coordinating with factories in Mandarin and reviewing samples on arrival
Who Attends Canton Fair from NZ?
NZ businesses attending the Canton Fair typically fall into three categories: first-time attendees who want to explore product opportunities and meet suppliers face to face; experienced importers who attend regularly but want a Mandarin-speaking guide to access new halls and negotiate better; and retail buyers, interior designers, and procurement managers sourcing specific product categories at scale.
All three groups benefit from having a guide who speaks the language, knows the layout, and can vet suppliers on the spot.
Canton Fair vs Online Sourcing
Online platforms like Alibaba let you find suppliers from your desk. The Canton Fair lets you see, touch, and compare products side by side — and meet the people behind the factory. For NZ businesses making large purchasing decisions, there is no substitute for being in the room. The Companion Service ensures your time in the room is productive, not wasted.
What Nina from Epic Sourcing Did for One NZ Client
Stacey Anastasiou attended the Canton Fair in Guangzhou and worked with Nina from Epic Sourcing. In her Google review, Stacey shared that Nina helped her navigate the Fair effectively and she would have struggled without the on-ground support. This is exactly the kind of experience the Companion Service delivers — practical, language-fluent, commercially focused support.
Practical Details
When: Canton Fair runs twice a year — Phase 1 (April) and Phase 2 (October/November). Each phase runs approximately two weeks with three sub-phases covering different product categories.
Where: Canton Fair Complex, Guangzhou (Pazhou), China. Easily accessible from Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport.
Pricing: The Companion Service is quoted as a flat project rate based on the number of days you need on-ground support and whether you want post-Fair supplier vetting and factory visits included. No commission on any orders you place.
Ready to Attend Canton Fair with a Guide?
Make Every Hour at the Fair Count.
Book a free discovery call. Tell us what products you are looking for and when you plan to attend. We will prepare a curated booth list, arrange your on-ground guide, and make sure you leave Guangzhou with verified suppliers — not just business cards.
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