What to Prepare Before Visiting the Canton Fair
Created on 11.19
What to Prepare Before Visiting the Canton Fair
The Canton Fair is one of the biggest opportunities for brands, retailers, and buyers to meet reliable suppliers in China. It’s exciting — but it can also be overwhelming if you’re not prepared. A little planning goes a long way and helps you make the most of every minute.
Here’s a simple guide to help you get ready before you step into the exhibition hall.
1. Know What You Want to Source
Before your trip, make a short list of the categories or product types you’re looking for.
It doesn’t need to be detailed — just clear enough to help you stay focused. With thousands of booths, having direction saves you from wandering around and missing what matters most.
2. Bring Business Cards and Company Info
Even in the digital age, business cards still make conversations smoother.
Suppliers meet hundreds of visitors each day, and a card helps them remember you and your needs. It’s also helpful to prepare a simple introduction about your business, target market, and order volume — it helps suppliers match the right products for you.
3. Prepare a Notebook or Notes App
You’ll talk to many suppliers, see endless products, and receive lots of samples or catalogs.
Taking quick notes — booth numbers, product codes, and impressions — makes it much easier to sort everything out later. Trust us, after a full day, it’s easy to forget which booth offered what.
4. Plan Your Route
The fair is huge and divided into areas by product category.
Check the floor map in advance and highlight the halls you need to visit. With a plan, you’ll save time and energy, especially during peak days.
5. Wear Comfortable Shoes
This might sound simple, but it’s important.
You’ll be walking for hours, and comfortable shoes make the experience much more pleasant. The fair is a marathon, not a sprint.
6. Bring a Power Bank
Between photos, notes, calls, and map checking, your phone battery won’t last long.
A power bank keeps you connected and makes sure you don’t miss important information.
7. Prepare Questions for Suppliers
A little preparation helps you get deeper insights. For example:
• What’s your MOQ?
• Can you do custom packaging?
• How long is your lead time?
• Do you have experience with U.S./EU markets?
• Are samples available?
Good questions show professionalism and help suppliers understand your expectations.
Make the Most of Your Visit
The Canton Fair is more than a trade show — it’s a chance to build long-term partnerships.
With the right preparation, you’ll walk away with new ideas, reliable suppliers, and a clearer picture of your next steps.
If you plan to visit this year, we’d be happy to meet you, show our latest bamboo and wooden products, and discuss custom projects in person.
