China is still the number one place for sourcing today. This is evidenced by the fact that every year, many buyers worldwide visit some of its key commercial centers and attend major China trade fairs 2026 so that they can see the producers, get new commodities, and also establish some business relationships. Although there are various methods for reaching out to vendors, trade shows remain unmatched for speed and reliability.
This article focuses on top ten trade events that will take place in China in 2026. By attending any of these fairs, you will be able to follow a different course towards exploring emerging markets, compare prices better and make your supply chain even stronger than before.
The Top 10 Trade Fairs
1. China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair) — Guangzhou
Why It Matters: The Canton Fair is China’s oldest and most popular trade fair. It has been taking place for over 50 years now, twice a year, and comprises three specialized phases. The event showcases different commodities such as electronics, household items, textiles, as well as commodities under heavy industry. If your time is limited, you can only choose the Guangzhou Canton Fair.
Scale: The 139th event scheduled for 2026 is expected to attract over 200,000 buyers and host about 25,000 sellers. It takes place in enormous pavilions spanning almost every sector of the economy; therefore, it is incomparable for cross-industry sourcing.
Best For: his fair suits those who want to source products across different categories, new importers, and people building connections with many suppliers.
Pro Tip: Schedule your trip by phase, include brief product descriptions, and note seller information for easy comparison later.
2. Hong Kong Global Sources Fair
Why It Matters: The Global Sources Fair is particularly important for consumer electronics and components. This is because, through the fair, OEM and ODM manufacturers can connect with buyers such as global retailers, distributors, and online sellers.
What You’ll Find: This fair will feature intelligent devices, mobile phone accessories, and other upcoming electronics brands. Additionally, there will be areas set aside for innovation exhibitions and live demonstrations, which will help identify current market demand and assess emerging technologies.
Best For: Those individuals involved in e-commerce business like sellers, technology brands, importers of electronics, and buyers of mobile accessories.
Pro Tip: Go there on the first two days when you can see new products first and there aren’t too many customers yet.
3. China International Medical Equipment Fair (CMEF) — Shanghai / Shenzhen
Why It Matters: With more than 150 countries participating, CMEF is the largest medical device exhibition in Asia and commands significant respect. There are over 5,000 exhibitors and 200,000 professional visitors.
What You’ll Find: Diagnostic equipment, imaging equipment, hospital furniture and equipment, and digital health systems. The fair’s seminars provide information on changes to laws, regulations, and certification standards, which are necessary for those who deal with the importation of medical goods.
Best For: Procurement teams of hospitals, distributors of healthcare products, sellers of medtech equipment and buyers looking for rehabilitation units.
Pro Tip: Make sure you attend the certification workshops so you can understand the importation guidelines and comply with them when dealing in the target markets.
4. China (Guangzhou) International Beauty Expo
Why It Matters: One of Asia’s most prominent events for cosmetics and wellness. It brings together over 3,800 exhibitors and nearly one million visitors from around the world.
What You’ll Find: Skincare, makeup, packaging solutions, salon tools, and spa technologies. Workshops and expert sessions make it a hotspot for spotting emerging beauty trends and innovation in private-label manufacturing.
Best For: Beauty entrepreneurs, salon owners, spa operators, and cosmetics brand developers.
Pro Tip: Focus on OEM/ODM areas to connect with contract manufacturers that offer white-label production.
5. China (Shenzhen) International Logistics and Supply Chain Fair (CILF)
Why It Matters: CILF is the leading logistics and transportation expo in Asia. It showcases advancements in warehousing, global freight, robotics, and supply chain automation.
What You’ll Find: Smart logistics systems, cold-chain tech, cross-border e-commerce services, and AI-powered fulfillment solutions. The fair provides direct access to companies that streamline global delivery networks.
Best For: E-commerce operators, freight forwarders, warehouse managers, 3PL providers, and importers improving logistics efficiency.
Pro Tip: Spend time in the tech demo halls—automation exhibits often reveal cost-saving systems you can adopt immediately.
6. International Gifts, Handicrafts, Watches & Houseware Fair — Shenzhen
Why It Matters: The largest gifts and home goods trade fair in China, featuring over 4,000 exhibitors and around 200,000 visitors.
What You’ll Find: Decor, homeware, crafts, toys, and souvenirs. This fair is a favorite among designers and retailers seeking new, creative lifestyle products and seasonal collections.
Best For: Gift shops, interior design firms, boutique owners, and corporate gift buyers.
Pro Tip: Explore the handicrafts section for one-of-a-kind artisan-made items that set your product line apart.
7. Mega Show — Hong Kong
Why It Matters: Mega Show is Hong Kong’s most important fair for the consumer goods and giftware sector. It accommodates approximately 4,000 participants from 30 nations and is well-timed with the global holiday shopping period.
What You’ll Find: Toys, stationery, household items, fashion accessories, and travel essentials. The fact that it occurs in October enables buyers to plan for end-of-year customer orders, thereby providing an excellent sourcing window.
Best For: Retail buyers preparing holiday stock, toy importers, stationery distributors, and travel goods suppliers.
Pro Tip: Be clever and visit also the Global Sources Fair, which is adjacent to each other so that you can get maximum benefit of your trip during these events.
8. China International Import Expo (CIIE) — Shanghai
Why It Matters: CIIE is China’s top trade fair. It differs from trade fairs oriented towards exports, as it enables foreign brands to showcase their products to Chinese customers.
What You’ll Find: In these six exhibition halls, there are categories such as food, healthcare, technology, services, and consumer goods. The event receives massive government support and has special programs, such as matchmaking, which link foreign suppliers with approved Chinese distributors.
Best For: Those companies that are exporting goods from other countries, as well as food and beverage sector players and service providers who have decided to make their first step into the Chinese domestic market.
Pro Tip: Be smart; register for the official B2B matching programs early—they fill up very quickly, with many pre-qualified meeting lists available too!
9. China Hi-Tech Fair (CHTF) — Shenzhen
Why It Matters: CHTF is the country’s most comprehensive technology exhibition. It attracts over 5,000 companies and 400,000 professional buyers, covering AI, robotics, clean energy, and smart manufacturing.
What You’ll Find: Product launches, interactive tech demos, and opportunities for cross-border collaboration. The fair’s innovation-focused structure makes it ideal for tech scouts and venture partners.
Best For: R&D teams, tech investors, startups, and smart manufacturing buyers.
Pro Tip: Visit the startup pavilion for early-stage innovations with high partnership potential and competitive entry costs.
10. China Yiwu International Commodities Fair — Yiwu
Why It Matters: Yiwu is the hub for imported goods and commodities in China. It started in 1995 with just a few booths, but now attracts over 180,000 visitors to see 3,000 exhibitors across 4,500 stalls.
What You’ll Find: In this fair, you will be able to purchase household items, tools, toys, and office supplies on a large scale and at low prices. This event is well known for its favorable trading terms, which allow buyers to take any order quantity they want, making it most appropriate for small- and mid-size buyers.
Best For: Discount retailers, small business owners, dollar store buyers, and general merchandise importers.
Pro Tip: To keep on getting enough products throughout the year from this place extend your stay to explore the continuous product sourcing offered by Yiwu’s wholesale markets every other time of the year as well.
Quick Reference Guide to China Trade Fairs 2026
| Fair | City | Years Running | Main Category | Visitors | Exhibitors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canton Fair | Guangzhou | Since 1957 (69 years) | Multi-industry | 200,000 | 25,000 |
| Global Sources | Hong Kong | 20+ years | Electronics | — | 1,500+ |
| CMEF | Shanghai/Shenzhen | 40+ years | Medical Equipment | 200,000 | 5,000 |
| Beauty Expo | Guangzhou | Since 1989 (35 years) | Cosmetics & Wellness | 910,000 | 3,800 |
| CILF | Shenzhen | Since 2006 (20 years) | Logistics & Supply Chain | — | 1,000+ |
| Gifts Fair | Shenzhen | 30+ years | Gifts & Houseware | 200,000 | 4,000 |
| Mega Show | Hong Kong | 25+ years | Consumer Goods | — | 4,000 |
| CIIE | Shanghai | Since 2018 (9 years) | Import Products | — | 3,000+ |
| CHTF | Shenzhen | Since 1999 (27 years) | High-Tech & Innovation | 400,000 | 5,000 |
| Yiwu Fair | Yiwu | Since 1995 (31 years) | Daily Commodities | 180,000 | 3,000 |
How to Choose the Right Show
- Match Your Niche: Select a fair that aligns with what you are selling. If you have a variety of sectors, the best option would be to start with the Canton Fair—it is still the largest purchasing event in China.
- Plan Multi-City Routes: There are convenient transportation links between major trading centers such as Hong Kong, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou with high-speed rail or short flights. Attending several exhibitions during a single journey will help you save time and increase the number of suppliers you deal with.
- Consider Timing: Make sure your visit is at the right time of the year for making purchases relative to when you will actually be making them. E. g., the Mega Show occurring in October is good for buying items to be used during holidays; the CIIE happening in November is ideal for those looking forward to capitalizing on the expanding internal market of China.
Smart Strategies for Finding Reliable Suppliers
Before the Fair
- Set Objectives: Describe what you intend to achieve by stating the items that are to be bought, their quality specifications as well as affordable prices. This will enable you to see which stalls are appropriate and stay on track easily.
- Investigate Vendors: Review the profiles of companies on Alibaba or Global Sources, and take down key details such as booth numbers and when they were founded. This way you can first deal with top quality manufacturers during the fair.
- Create a List of Important Questions: Prepare questions regarding the time of delivery, MOQs, certifications, customization options etc. Asking similar questions now will simplify future supplier evaluations.
During the Fair
- Be Selective in Exchanging Cards: Share your contact information only with suppliers who match your needs. Take quick notes on the back of each card to help you remember the discussions.
- Ask for Electronic Catalogs: Instead of hard copies, request for e-catalogs through email or WeChat. It will be much easier for you to sort and go through digital files when you return home.
- Target Key Decision Makers: Opt to speak with proprietors or top executives, as this will help you speed up the process and get the correct pricing. Trust is enhanced over a long period through one on one communication.
- Obtain Permission Before Taking Photos: In the future, these pictures will help you match samples and remember booth particulars when making comparisons.
- Strategically Gather Samples: Be wise and collect physical samples from the most promising buyers only; for the rest plan on shipping the bulky goods.
After the Fair
- Be Quick To Follow Up: Send emails to the suppliers you like most within two days. Remind them about the meeting so they can prioritize your offer.
- Ensure You Are Buying From A Legitimate Source: Ascertain the validity of trading licenses and certifications by using independent checks or visiting the premises.
- Make a Small Beginning: Place a test order first, this will help you determine if the goods are of good quality and also evaluate how well information flows before increasing your order volume.
Essential Travel Tips
- Visas: Make sure you know what is needed for entry into mainland China and Hong Kong. A majority of travelers will require a visa for China; however, some countries may allow you to stay in Hong Kong for a short time without applying for one.
- Transportation: When moving around, order a DiDi within the locality and have your hotel directions written in Mandarin. The high-speed trains linking Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong offer a cost-effective means of transport.
- Language: It is important to use a translation app or hire an interpreter, especially when having technical discussions. This way, you will avoid costly errors caused by miscommunication.
- Payments: International cards are not accepted in many places. Be ready with Alipay or WeChat Pay; alternatively, ensure you have enough cash, especially for buying low-cost items.
- Accommodation: Make hotel reservations near exhibition centers or subway stations. Prices skyrocket during major trade fairs; therefore, booking should be made at least 2-3 months before the event.
Conclusion
Trade fairs in China are still the number one way to find good suppliers and sourcing opportunities worldwide. All these exhibitions, ranging from the huge Canton Fair to specialized trade expos like CMEF or CILF, introduce one to the creators of the new global commerce.
It is important to prepare well, select appropriate exhibitions based on your aims, plan your itinerary, and ensure you can communicate effectively with vendors. If planned wisely, visiting Chinese exhibition centers for several days may lead to the formation of numerous new partnerships, as well as the development of business plans and favourable contracts throughout the year.
Having been engaged in sourcing for over 10 years, SourcingXpro is experienced in helping buyers navigate such events, having identified relevant sellers, confirmed manufacturers, and controlled information flow from the booth to goods delivery.
Irrespective of whether you are purchasing for the first time or you are an experienced importer, there are these top ten trade shows that will provide you with a good opportunity for sourcing come 2026 – and SourcingXpro is at your service for maximum benefit.
