chinpost English version of ChinPost’s Canton Fair guide. Read it in Persian (فارسی).
Quick answer: The Canton Fair is the world’s largest trade fair, held twice a year in Guangzhou, China. The 140th session (autumn 2026) ran in three phases: Phase 1, Oct 15–19 (electronics, machinery, vehicles); Phase 2, Oct 23–27 (consumer goods, gifts, home decoration); Phase 3, Oct 31–Nov 4 (clothing, textiles, bags, food). Entry is free for registered trade buyers. You need a China business visa (type M) and the fair’s official invitation letter. If you cannot travel, ChinPost’s representative visits the booth for you with live video. Shipping, QC and customs clearance after the fair are covered in the ChinPost cost guide.
Note: the 140th session ran October 15 – November 4, 2026 and has now ended. The registration, visa and buying process in this guide applies to the next session — message ChinPost on WhatsApp +86 132 4961 5457 for the next session’s dates.
The Canton Fair (Canton Fair) is the world’s largest trade fair, held twice a year — spring and autumn — in Guangzhou, China. Autumn 2026 was the turn of the fair’s 140th session, the most important business appointment of the year for any Iranian trader importing from China. This guide covers everything: the exact dates of each phase, what goods each phase offers, how to register, how to get a China visa, and how to get the most business value out of the trip.
Canton Fair 140 dates (autumn 2026)
| Phase | Dates | Product areas |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | October 15–19, 2026 | Electronics, machinery, vehicles and parts, building materials |
| Phase 2 | October 23–27, 2026 | Consumer goods, gifts, home decoration |
| Phase 3 | October 31 – November 4, 2026 | Clothing and textiles, bags and shoes, office supplies, food |
Important: there are 3 days between phases (to change the booths). If your goods fall in two different phases, plan your trip to cover both.
What each phase offers
Phase 1 — Industrial and electronics (the most in-demand for Iranian importers)
- Electronics and household electrical appliances
- Lighting equipment
- Vehicles, motorcycles and spare parts
- Industrial and agricultural machinery
- Tools and hardware
- Building materials and construction equipment
- Chemical products and new energy
Phase 2 — Consumer goods
- Everyday consumer goods
- Gifts and souvenirs
- Home decoration and furniture
- Toys and games
Phase 3 — Clothing and lifestyle
- Clothing, textiles and fabrics
- Bags, shoes and luggage
- Stationery and office supplies
- Food and health products
- Medical equipment
How to register for the Canton Fair: step by step
- Go to the official website: cantonfair.org.cn.
- Create a Buyer account and enter your company / business details.
- Receive the fair’s official invitation letter (you need it for the visa).
- Pre-register your Buyer Badge online and pick it up at the fair — pre-registration frees you from the long first-day queue.
Entry fee: visiting the fair is free for registered trade buyers.
China business visa for the Canton Fair
To travel to China you need a business visa (type M). Required documents: a passport with at least 6 months’ validity, the Canton Fair’s official invitation letter, a business invitation from a Chinese company (if you have one), the visa application form + photo, and employment and financial documents. Tip: apply for the visa at least 4 to 6 weeks before travel.
Venue and getting there
The fair is held at the Pazhou Complex in Guangzhou. Getting there by Metro Line 8 (Xingang East or Pazhou station) is easy.
7 golden tips for Iranian traders at the Canton Fair
- Set goals before the trip: list your target exhibitors and contact them before you travel.
- Take negotiation seriously: the fair price is the starting price of the negotiation — make MOQ and payment terms clear on the spot.
- Take samples; do not sign a big contract: leave supplier verification for afterwards.
- Install WeChat: communication after the fair usually continues on WeChat.
- Do not sacrifice quality for price: ask about export history, certificates (CE, ISO) and the possibility of quality inspection (QC).
- Count the hidden costs: estimate freight, insurance, customs clearance and import duties in advance.
- Use a professional sourcing service.
After the fair: from samples to your warehouse in Iran
The standard path: place the order and pay (usually a 30% advance) → quality inspection of the goods in China (QC) → choose the shipping method (sea, air or rail) → customs clearance → delivery to your warehouse. Freight rates and clearance costs are in the ChinPost cost guide, and the step-by-step clearance process is in the customs clearance guide.
Cannot travel to Guangzhou? We are your eyes at the fair
Travelling to China is not worth it for everyone: ticket, hotel, visa and several days of time. ChinPost solves this: our representative goes to the fair and takes live video for you — from the booth you want, of the goods you are looking for, with exactly the details you specify.
What you see on a live visit:
- The booth and the supplier’s real identity — not just catalogue photos
- The real quality of the goods up close: material, packaging and build details
- Prices and negotiation terms, transparent and in the moment
- The chance to ask the exhibitor questions through our representative, right there and live
Who is this for?
- Those who want to verify a supplier before placing a bulk order
- Those who do not have the time or budget to travel to Canton but do not want to fall behind the market
- Buyers torn between several suppliers who want a live comparison
To arrange a live visit to the Canton Fair, message ChinPost on WhatsApp and we will coordinate the timing and the booths you have in mind.
ChinPost with you at Canton Fair 140
The ChinPost team is based in Guangzhou: product sourcing, quality inspection (QC), international freight (sea, air, rail and combined), customs clearance from Bandar Abbas and Imam Khomeini Airport, and yuan transfer at the best rate. Contact us for free advice on buying from the Canton Fair — WhatsApp +86 132 4961 5457. Guangzhou warehouse: 1st Floor, No. 34 Meibin East Street, Baiyun District, Guangzhou (BAT warehouse, Ms. Liu, 18620792280).
Frequently asked questions
When is Canton Fair 140?
The 140th session (autumn 2026) ran in three phases: Phase 1, October 15–19; Phase 2, October 23–27; Phase 3, October 31 – November 4, 2026. It has now ended; the registration, visa and buying process in this guide applies to the next session — ask ChinPost on WhatsApp for the next session’s dates.
Is entry to the Canton Fair free?
Yes, for registered trade buyers. Register on cantonfair.org.cn, create a Buyer account and pre-register your Buyer Badge online.
How do I register for the Canton Fair?
On cantonfair.org.cn: create a Buyer account with your company details, receive the official invitation letter (needed for the visa), and pre-register your Buyer Badge online to skip the first-day queue.
What visa do I need for the Canton Fair?
A China business visa (type M). You need a passport with at least 6 months’ validity, the Canton Fair invitation letter, the application form + photo, and employment and financial documents. Apply at least 4 to 6 weeks before travel.
Which phase should I visit?
It depends on your goods: Phase 1 for electronics, machinery and vehicles; Phase 2 for consumer goods, gifts and home decoration; Phase 3 for clothing, textiles, bags and food. There are 3 days between phases, so plan ahead if your goods span two phases.
Can ChinPost visit the fair for me?
Yes. ChinPost’s representative visits the booth you choose and shows it to you on live video — the supplier’s real identity, the goods’ real quality, prices and terms — and asks the exhibitor your questions on the spot. Arrange it on WhatsApp +86 132 4961 5457.
How do I ship what I buy at the fair to Iran?
Place the order (usually a 30% advance), have the goods quality-inspected in China, then ship by sea, air or rail and clear customs in Iran. ChinPost handles sourcing, QC, freight and clearance door to door — get the rates in the cost guide or on WhatsApp.
