Canton Fair 2026 Dates: Phase 1, Phase 2 & Phase 3 Full Schedule
Official Canton Fair 2026 dates for Phase 1, Phase 2, and Phase 3 (Spring & Autumn sessions). Check product categories, exhibition halls, and buffer days.
1. Canton Fair 2026 Sessions: Spring (139th) & Autumn (140th)
The China Import and Export Fair (widely known as the Canton Fair) is staged twice each year at the China Import and Export Fair Complex (Pazhou Complex) in Guangzhou. Spanning over 1.55 million square meters with more than 28,000 verified manufacturing exhibitors, it represents the world's most comprehensive trade exhibition.
In 2026, the fair operates across two landmark sessions:
- Spring Session (139th Canton Fair): April 15 – May 5, 2026
- Autumn Session (140th Canton Fair): October 15 – November 4, 2026
Each session is strictly split into three distinct 5-day phases, separated by an official 3-day buffer interval during which exhibition halls are cleared, cleaned, and restocked with entirely new exhibitor booths. Understanding which phase showcases your product line is the most important preparatory step before booking flights and hotels.
2. 140th Canton Fair Autumn 2026 Official Dates & Products
The Autumn Session is traditionally the largest session of the year, drawing over 200,000 international buyers preparing their seasonal inventory for the upcoming financial year:
| Phase | Official 2026 Dates | Core Product Categories | Target Indian Business Profiles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | October 15 – 19, 2026 | Consumer Electronics & Information Products, Household Electrical Appliances, Lighting Equipment, Industrial Machinery & Tools, Power & Electrical Equipment, Hardware, Auto Parts, Electric Vehicles, New Energy Solutions (Solar & Battery). | Electronics importers, hardware distributors, solar EPC contractors, appliance wholesalers, industrial equipment engineers. |
| Buffer 1 | October 20 – 22, 2026 | Exhibition halls closed to visitors for re-stocking and exhibitor turnover. | Ideal time for factory audits in Foshan, Zhongshan, or Dongguan. |
| Phase 2 | October 23 – 27, 2026 | General Ceramics, Kitchenware & Tableware, Glass Artware, Home Decorations, Festival Products, Gifts & Premiums, Clocks & Watches, Building & Decorative Materials, Sanitary & Bathroom Fixtures, Furniture. | Home retail chains, interior designers, kitchenware distributors, sanitaryware importers, corporate gifting agencies. |
| Buffer 2 | October 28 – 30, 2026 | Exhibition halls closed to visitors for re-stocking and exhibitor turnover. | Wholesale market tours: Baima Garment Mall, Zhanxi Watch Market. |
| Phase 3 | October 31 – November 4, 2026 | Home Textiles, Carpets, Men's & Women's Clothing, Underwear, Sports & Casual Wear, Fashion Accessories, Textile Raw Materials & Fabrics, Shoes, Luggage & Bags, Toys, Baby & Maternity, Personal Care, Medical Devices, Stationery. | Apparel brands, toy importers, e-commerce fashion sellers, footwear retailers, medical equipment distributors, luggage wholesalers. |
3. 139th Canton Fair Spring 2026 Schedule
The 139th spring session, held earlier in 2026, followed the same category structure:
- Phase 1: April 15 – 19, 2026 (Electronics, Machinery, Hardware, Lighting, New Energy)
- Buffer Interval 1: April 20 – 22, 2026 (Factory Day Trips in Pearl River Delta)
- Phase 2: April 23 – 27, 2026 (Housewares, Ceramics, Gifts, Building Materials, Furniture)
- Buffer Interval 2: April 28 – 30, 2026 (Guangzhou Sourcing Markets)
- Phase 3: May 1 – 5, 2026 (Textiles, Apparel, Toys, Baby Care, Footwear, Medical)
4. What Happens During the 3-Day Buffer Periods?
A frequent error made by first-time visitors is arriving on a buffer day expecting to walk the show floors. The Pazhou Complex is completely closed to buyers during the 3-day buffer periods. Tens of thousands of booths are dismantled and rebuilt around the clock.
Experienced Indian traders leverage buffer days strategically for on-ground supplier due diligence:
- Foshan Furniture & Ceramic Tours: Located just 45 minutes by road from central Guangzhou, Foshan houses the world's largest furniture malls (Lecong Louvre) and sanitaryware clusters.
- Zhongshan & Guzhen Lighting Audits: Guzhen is China's capital for commercial and decorative LED lighting, approximately 1 hour from Guangzhou.
- Dongguan & Shenzhen Tech Visits: Audit electronics tooling workshops and injection molding facilities.
5. How Indian Importers Should Match Products to Phases
If your business trades across multiple product verticals (for example, small kitchen appliances in Phase 1 and cookware/crockery in Phase 2), you must budget for a multi-phase visit. However, if your catalog falls squarely into one category, attending a single 5-day phase is far more economical and focused.
Review our Canton Fair Trip Cost Guide to model your travel budget, and verify how to obtain your entry credential via our Buyer Registration Process Guide.
6. Venue Operating Hours & Daily Timing at Pazhou Complex
During official exhibition dates, the Pazhou Complex operates on the following schedule:
- Daily Exhibition Hours: 09:30 AM to 06:00 PM
- Buyer Badge Scanning: Doors open at 09:00 AM for security screening and badge touch-in.
- Final Day Early Closing: On the final day of each phase (October 19, October 27, and November 4), exhibitors begin dismantling display booths by 02:00 PM. Schedule your vital contract negotiations for Days 1 through 4.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the exact dates for Canton Fair 2026?
The 139th Spring Canton Fair was held April 15 – May 5, 2026. The 140th Autumn Canton Fair runs from October 15 to November 4, 2026, with no exhibition October 20–22 and October 28–30. Each session is divided into Phase 1, Phase 2, and Phase 3 with 3-day buffer periods between phases.
Can I enter Phase 2 with a Phase 1 Canton Fair badge?
Yes! Your physical Canton Fair Buyer Badge (IC Card) is valid across all three phases of the fair, and remains valid for future Canton Fair sessions for several years. You do not need to register again for subsequent phases.
Are exhibition halls open during the 3-day buffer days?
No. The Pazhou Complex is completely closed to buyers during the 3-day buffer intervals between phases while halls are cleared and restocked with new exhibitors. Indian buyers typically use these days for factory visits in nearby cities like Foshan and Dongguan.
Which phase of Canton Fair is best for electronics and machinery?
Phase 1 (October 15–19 in Autumn, and April 15–19 in Spring) is exclusively dedicated to Consumer Electronics, Household Appliances, Industrial Machinery, Hardware, Lighting, Auto Parts, and New Energy products.
Sources
- Canton Fair Buyer Service System (BEST), China Foreign Trade Centre · buyer registration, invitation letters and the official schedule
- Ministry of Commerce of China: Introduction of the 140th Canton Fair · phase dates 15–19, 23–27 October and 31 October–4 November 2026
- Canton Fair 2026 Dates
- Canton Fair Phase 1 2 3
- 139th Canton Fair
- 140th Canton Fair
- Guangzhou Exhibition Schedule
Canton Fair 2026 Complete Checklist for Indian Buyers
Pre-departure documents, visa filing steps, packing essentials, on-ground tips, and a day-by-day fair plan — everything in one checklist.
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