Guangzhou has rolled out a package of traveller-friendly measures aimed at smoothing the arrival of 200,000 overseas buyers expected at the 139th China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair) opening on 15 April. The fair remains a cornerstone for thousands of Hong Kong trading houses that source from, or exhibit to, mainland suppliers. Key upgrades include dedicated immigration lanes at Baiyun Airport and land ports with multilingual assistance, plus expanded use of 24-/144-hour visa-free transit and on-arrival visas for eligible nationalities. Transport links have been boosted with extra metro frequencies, 2,000 additional taxis and ride-hail cars daily, and free shuttle buses connecting the Pazhou exhibition complex with major wholesale markets. Payment friction—a persistent pain-point for international visitors—has been tackled by enabling more than 15,000 merchants and all metro stations to accept foreign credit cards and mobile wallets.
![Canton Fair boosts visa-free transit, payments ahead of 139th edition, benefitting Hong Kong traders]()
For travelers still sorting out visas or entry permits, VisaHQ offers an efficient digital solution. The service guides Hong Kong–based business visitors through Chinese visa requirements, provides document checklists and optional courier pickup, helping teams secure the right paperwork before the show; more information is available at https://www.visahq.com/hong-kong/
A new English-language “OneStop” WeChat mini-program bundles transport, dining and city services, allowing users to top up metro cards, order taxis and access venue maps inside a single app. The timing is significant for Hong Kong SMEs. Since the land border fully reopened in early 2024, many firms have resumed same-day or overnight trips to Guangzhou. Faster clearance and seamless payments mean buyers can pack more factory visits into a single journey, while exhibitors can move samples and display equipment through ports with reduced paperwork. Travel managers should, however, remind staff that hotel demand during the three-phase fair remains intense—early bookings and pre-payment guarantees via international cards are recommended. Companies that rely on hand-carried goods should verify customs rules for sample importation at Huangpu and Nansha where inspection protocols differ.
For travelers still sorting out visas or entry permits, VisaHQ offers an efficient digital solution. The service guides Hong Kong–based business visitors through Chinese visa requirements, provides document checklists and optional courier pickup, helping teams secure the right paperwork before the show; more information is available at https://www.visahq.com/hong-kong/
A new English-language “OneStop” WeChat mini-program bundles transport, dining and city services, allowing users to top up metro cards, order taxis and access venue maps inside a single app. The timing is significant for Hong Kong SMEs. Since the land border fully reopened in early 2024, many firms have resumed same-day or overnight trips to Guangzhou. Faster clearance and seamless payments mean buyers can pack more factory visits into a single journey, while exhibitors can move samples and display equipment through ports with reduced paperwork. Travel managers should, however, remind staff that hotel demand during the three-phase fair remains intense—early bookings and pre-payment guarantees via international cards are recommended. Companies that rely on hand-carried goods should verify customs rules for sample importation at Huangpu and Nansha where inspection protocols differ.
