In short
The Canton Fair is China's huge export fair, held twice a year across phases for different product groups. Most exhibitors have compact standard booths and sell to buyers from around the world. A booth has to show products clearly, make prices easy to request and support quick conversations through translation. Start a custom booth about 3–6 months ahead and confirm dates, height limits and rules in the exhibitor manual.
Key points
- Where and when: Guangzhou, twice a year in Guangzhou, in spring and autumn, split into phases by product sector.
- The audience is mostly international importers.
- Clear product display.
- Bilingual information.
- Plan a custom booth about 3–6 months before the show.
Canton Fair for exhibitors
Buyers walk many halls in a few days, comparing suppliers. Booths are often organised by trade groups, so visual standards can be tight. Check your phase and hall, as your product category decides both.
| Canton Fair | |
|---|---|
| City | Guangzhou |
| Venue | China Import and Export Fair Complex, Pazhou |
| Sector | Export manufacturing and sourcing |
| Cycle | Twice a year in Guangzhou, in spring and autumn, split into phases by product sector |
| Main stand activity | Product display and orders |
| Custom stand lead time | 3–6 months |
Who you are designing for
International importers, wholesalers, retail sourcing teams and trading companies.
What matters most on a Canton Fair booth:
- Clear product display.
- Bilingual information.
- Fast quoting.
- Easy contact capture.
Layouts for product display and orders, by stand type
Most Canton Fair exhibitors build around product display and orders. How that works depends on how many sides of your plot are open. If you are unsure which type you have, see exhibition stand types.
| Stand type | Open sides | What works |
|---|---|---|
| Row (inline) | 1 | A shop-like display wall with a counter for orders, leaving the floor clear to browse. |
| Island | 4 | A gallery route around a central feature, with order desks and buyer seating along one side. |
Stand ideas for Canton Fair
- A shelf arranged by price tier.
- QR codes to a catalogue.
- A product comparison sheet in English.
Planning, approvals and logistics
Booth rules and allocation run through official channels, so check who can exhibit and how decoration is approved.
Allow about 3–6 months for a custom booth. The exhibitor manual sets height limits, open-side rules and service deadlines; see venue approval and technical drawings.
Where the budget goes at Canton Fair
Booths are usually small and standard, so spend on samples, translated catalogues and fast quoting.
Mistakes we see at Canton Fair
- Too many products on one wall.
- No clear minimum order details.
An example Canton Fair brief
A 3 × 3 m standard booth with a graphic wall, a product shelf arranged by price point, a catalogue tablet and a Chinese and English sign.
Replace the size and the zones with your own. The plot and height limit come from your contract and the exhibitor manual.
Try your Canton Fair layout in 3D
ExhibitionBase Studio turns your plot size, open sides and a brief about product display and orders into an editable 3D booth for 5 credits, renders it and exports a plan for your builder. New workspaces get 5 free credits.
Frequently asked questions
01When is the Canton Fair held?
Twice a year in spring and autumn. Confirm phases on the official site.
02Which phase am I in?
It depends on your product category.
03How early should I start designing a Canton Fair booth?
For a custom booth, about 3–6 months ahead: long enough for design, organiser approval, production and shipping. Shell scheme booths can be planned in weeks.
04Can I reuse my Canton Fair booth at other shows?
Often, if it is modular. Design the core (walls, counters, product display and orders area) to work on several plot sizes, and swap graphics per show. See [modular vs custom stands](/guides/modular-vs-custom-exhibition-stands).
Put it into practice
From a client brief to a 3D stand concept in minutes
An editable 3D exhibition stand concept from a written brief and the brand's website, at your exact size.
Guidance here reflects common practice. Venues, organisers and countries set their own rules: always check the exhibitor manual and work with a qualified stand builder and engineer for structures.
