The Canton Fair is split into three phases, each dedicated to different industries: Phase 1 for electronics, machinery and hardware, Phase 2 for home, gifts and building materials, and Phase 3 for textiles, toys, consumer and health products. At the 140th session in autumn 2026, the phases run 15-19 October, 23-27 October and 31 October to 4 November.
Key takeaways
- Phase 1 (15-19 October 2026) is themed "advanced manufacturing" and contains 20 exhibition sections, from appliances to service robots.
- Phase 2 (23-27 October 2026) is themed around quality home life, with 16 sections including kitchenware, furniture and festival products.
- Phase 3 (31 October to 4 November 2026) is themed "better life", with 21 sections such as toys, apparel, food, pet products and medical devices.
- Each phase lasts five days, with three-day breaks while the halls are rebuilt.
- One free buyer badge gives access to every phase of the session.
- Choosing the wrong phase is the most common first-timer mistake, so map your product to an official section before booking flights.
How is the Canton Fair structured?
The Canton Fair occupies about 1.55 million square metres in the Pazhou complex in Guangzhou, spread across Areas A, B, C and D. Because no venue could host every industry at once, the organisers rotate exhibitors through three phases. Each phase reuses the same halls with a different set of companies, so a booth location in Phase 1 has nothing to do with the same location in Phase 3.
The official classification below comes from the organisers' announcement for the 140th session. The same structure was used in spring 2026, so it is a reliable guide for future sessions too. For dates, budget and logistics, start with our Canton Fair 2026 complete guide.
What can you buy in Phase 1?
Phase 1 is the "hard goods" phase, and the busiest for industrial buyers, electronics brands and DIY retailers.
| Section | Typical products |
|---|
| Household electrical appliances | Small kitchen appliances, fans, heaters, vacuum cleaners |
| Consumer electronics and information products | Headphones, chargers, smart home devices, accessories |
| Industrial automation and intelligent manufacturing | Robotic arms, sensors, controllers |
| Processing, power and general machinery | Packaging machines, generators, pumps, bearings |
| Construction and agricultural machinery | Small excavators, tillers, garden machinery |
| New materials and chemical products | Plastics, coatings, composites |
| New energy vehicles, vehicles, spare parts, motorcycles, bicycles | E-bikes, scooters, auto parts |
| Lighting and electrical products | LED lighting, cables, switches |
| New energy resources | Solar panels, batteries, inverters |
| Hardware and tools | Hand tools, power tools, locks, fittings |
| Service robots | Cleaning robots, delivery robots |
Who should go: importers of electronics, auto parts, tools, lighting, solar products and machinery. Remember that most products in this phase fall under EU conformity rules such as the Low Voltage Directive, EMC Directive, RoHS and, from 2027, the new Machinery Regulation. Always ask to see test reports from accredited labs, not just a printed CE logo.
What can you buy in Phase 2?
Phase 2 is the most popular phase for e-commerce sellers and home retailers, as many products are light, giftable and easy to private-label.
| Section | Typical products |
|---|
| General ceramics and art ceramics | Mugs, vases, plates |
| Kitchenware and tableware | Cookware, utensils, storage containers |
| Household items | Cleaning tools, organisers, bathroom accessories |
| Glass artware | Glass jars, candle holders |
| Gardening products | Planters, garden tools, outdoor decor |
| Weaving, rattan and iron products | Baskets, wall decor, small furniture |
| Home decorations and festival products | Christmas and Halloween items, frames, artificial flowers |
| Gifts and premiums | Promotional products, corporate gifts |
| Clocks, watches and optical instruments | Wall clocks, watches, eyewear |
| Building and decorative materials, sanitary equipment | Tiles, flooring, faucets, shower sets |
| Furniture | Office chairs, outdoor furniture, upholstered furniture |
| Fashion jewelry | Costume jewelry, hair accessories |
| Prefabricated houses and courtyard facilities | Garden sheds, pergolas, modular units |
Who should go: Amazon and Shopify sellers in home and kitchen, interior retailers, promotional products distributors and building trade buyers. Note that food-contact items (cookware, tableware) must comply with EU Regulation 1935/2004 and specific migration tests.
What can you buy in Phase 3?
Phase 3 is the largest phase by number of sections and covers most consumer goods you wear, use daily or give to children.
| Section | Typical products |
|---|
| Toys; children, baby and maternity products; kids' wear | Plush, educational toys, strollers, baby clothes |
| Men's and women's clothing, underwear, sports and casual wear | Apparel, activewear, sleepwear |
| Furs, leather, downs; fashion accessories; shoes | Jackets, belts, footwear |
| Textile raw materials and fabrics; home textiles; carpets | Fabrics, bedding, rugs |
| Cases and bags | Backpacks, luggage, handbags |
| Office supplies | Stationery, school supplies |
| Food | Snacks, tea, canned goods |
| Medicines, health products, medical devices; intelligent healthcare | Masks, massage devices, monitors |
| Personal care products and toiletries | Beauty tools, cosmetics packaging |
| Sports, travel and recreation products | Fitness gear, camping equipment |
| Pet products and food | Toys, beds, accessories |
Who should go: fashion and accessories brands, toy and baby retailers, pet and fitness sellers. Toys must meet the EU Toy Safety Directive and EN 71, and the new EU Toy Safety Regulation is being phased in, so ask suppliers about their testing plan early.
How do you choose the right phase?
Follow this simple method to avoid wasting a trip:
- Write down your top three product categories and their HS code families.
- Match each product to an official section using the tables above or the exhibitor search on the Canton Fair website.
- If all products fall in one phase, plan a three-to-four-day visit in that phase only.
- If products span two consecutive phases (for example Phase 2 and Phase 3), use the three-day break for factory visits in Foshan, Dongguan or Shantou.
- Book your hotel as soon as you confirm the phase, since prices rise sharply close to the dates.
| Your business | Best phase |
|---|
| Consumer electronics, smart home | Phase 1 |
| Tools, hardware, auto and bike parts | Phase 1 |
| Kitchen, home decor, seasonal goods | Phase 2 |
| Furniture, bathroom, building materials | Phase 2 |
| Toys, baby, apparel, bags, shoes | Phase 3 |
| Pet, sports, beauty, health | Phase 3 |
If you only need small quantities of many mixed items, the Yiwu market may be more practical than any phase; see our Canton Fair vs Yiwu market comparison.
What should you prepare for each phase?
Whatever phase you attend, bring a short product brief with target price, quantities and required certifications. In Phase 1, add technical specifications and ask for factory audit reports. In Phase 2, bring packaging ideas and photos of your best-sellers. In Phase 3, bring size charts, fabric references and a list of required safety standards.
Our first-visit checklist lists everything to pack, and our negotiation tips show how to turn booth conversations into firm quotes.
How Cina helps
Once you know your phase, you can use the Cina supplier directory to pre-screen manufacturers in the matching categories before you fly, so your time at the booths goes to serious candidates. The Canton Fair guide in Cina resources includes phase-by-phase preparation sheets. If you plan to combine the fair with a visit to stock or consolidation sites, the warehouses in China directory lists options near Guangzhou and other hubs.
Conclusion
Each Canton Fair phase is effectively a separate trade show, so matching your products to the right one matters more than any other planning decision. For autumn 2026, electronics and hardware buyers should aim for 15-19 October, home and gift buyers for 23-27 October, and consumer goods buyers for 31 October to 4 November. Check the official section list, then build your trip around it.
