China’s Ministry of Commerce confirmed on 14 February that the 139th China Import and Export Fair—better known as the Canton Fair—has opened its online overseas-buyer portal. The spring edition will run 15 April–5 May in Guangzhou, overlapping the post–Spring-Festival production ramp-up when many factories unveil new SKUs.
New this year, all foreign buyers—veterans and first-timers alike—must complete pre-registration to obtain an E-badge before entering the complex. The system links to China’s immigration and health-declaration platforms, enabling holders of the expanded 30-day visa-free scheme (now 45 countries) to receive automatic admission approval within 24 hours. Exhibitors can also pre-authorize multiple-entry invitation letters, shortening business-visa processing to as little as two working days for nationals outside the waiver list.
For overseas buyers who still require a full visa—perhaps because their nationality is not covered by the waiver or their stay exceeds 30 days—VisaHQ can streamline the process. Its dedicated China team (https://www.visahq.com/china/) handles everything from invitation letters to consulate appointments and provides real-time tracking, ensuring applicants receive their documents in time to sync with the Fair’s new E-badge system.
![Canton Fair Opens Overseas-Buyer Pre-Registration for 139th Session]()
Organisers predict foreign attendance will top 160,000—double the 2025 figure—as supply-chain diversification pushes buyers back toward in-person sourcing. Canton Fair Hotels Group reports that its 23 designated hotels are already 70 percent booked, with average daily rates up 25 percent year-on-year. Airlines including Emirates and Cathay Pacific plan to up-gauge Guangzhou frequencies in April to wide-body aircraft.
For multinational procurement teams, early registration secures fast-track entry channels and access to the Fair’s new “Smart Matching” system, which schedules one-to-one supplier meetings and factory tours in the Greater Bay Area. Companies relying on on-arrival badge issuance in past years risk long queues or being redirected to overflow halls located 8 km away.
In addition, the Fair Authority is piloting a digital Renminbi (e-CNY) wallet that overseas participants can top up via Visa or Mastercard, addressing long-standing payment bottlenecks for foreign visitors in mainland China.
New this year, all foreign buyers—veterans and first-timers alike—must complete pre-registration to obtain an E-badge before entering the complex. The system links to China’s immigration and health-declaration platforms, enabling holders of the expanded 30-day visa-free scheme (now 45 countries) to receive automatic admission approval within 24 hours. Exhibitors can also pre-authorize multiple-entry invitation letters, shortening business-visa processing to as little as two working days for nationals outside the waiver list.
For overseas buyers who still require a full visa—perhaps because their nationality is not covered by the waiver or their stay exceeds 30 days—VisaHQ can streamline the process. Its dedicated China team (https://www.visahq.com/china/) handles everything from invitation letters to consulate appointments and provides real-time tracking, ensuring applicants receive their documents in time to sync with the Fair’s new E-badge system.
Organisers predict foreign attendance will top 160,000—double the 2025 figure—as supply-chain diversification pushes buyers back toward in-person sourcing. Canton Fair Hotels Group reports that its 23 designated hotels are already 70 percent booked, with average daily rates up 25 percent year-on-year. Airlines including Emirates and Cathay Pacific plan to up-gauge Guangzhou frequencies in April to wide-body aircraft.
For multinational procurement teams, early registration secures fast-track entry channels and access to the Fair’s new “Smart Matching” system, which schedules one-to-one supplier meetings and factory tours in the Greater Bay Area. Companies relying on on-arrival badge issuance in past years risk long queues or being redirected to overflow halls located 8 km away.
In addition, the Fair Authority is piloting a digital Renminbi (e-CNY) wallet that overseas participants can top up via Visa or Mastercard, addressing long-standing payment bottlenecks for foreign visitors in mainland China.
