Canton Fair Opens Registration, Signals Strong Global Trade Winds

GUANGZHOU, China – February 13, 2026 – As the global business community turns its eyes toward the spring trade season, the China Import and Export Fair, known globally as the Canton Fair, has officially commenced preparations for its 139th session. Organizers announced this week that overseas buyer pre-registration is now open for the landmark event, scheduled to run from April 15 to May 5, 2026, in its long-standing home of Guangzhou.

This administrative step marks the formal kick-off for what has become a critical barometer of China's foreign trade and the health of global supply chains. The announcement comes on the heels of several record-breaking sessions, with the most recent 138th fair in late 2025 attracting an unprecedented 310,000 overseas buyers from 223 countries and regions, culminating in intended export transactions worth $25.65 billion. This surge in participation underscores the event's escalating importance in a re-globalizing economy, making the mandatory pre-registration a crucial first step for businesses aiming to tap into one of the world's largest sourcing hubs.

A Barometer of Economic Re-engagement

The Canton Fair's post-pandemic trajectory paints a vivid picture of recovery and renewed international engagement. After resuming its full-scale physical exhibition, the event has seen a dramatic and consistent rise in attendance. The spring 2023 session welcomed nearly 130,000 buyers, a figure that swelled to over 310,000 by the autumn 2025 session—a more than twofold increase in just two years. This remarkable growth is not just a return to pre-pandemic norms but a significant surpassing of them, setting new historical benchmarks for the fair.

Driving this trend is a strategic and observable shift in global trade dynamics. Buyers from countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) have become a dominant force, constituting 69% of total attendees at the 138th fair. This highlights a diversification of global supply chains and the fair's role in fostering connections with emerging markets. Simultaneously, attendance from established partners in Europe, the United States, and Canada remains robust, with nearly 52,000 visitors from these regions attending the 137th session, indicating the fair's enduring appeal to traditional economic powerhouses seeking competitive and innovative suppliers.

The sheer volume of transactions—climbing steadily from $21.69 billion in spring 2023 to $25.65 billion in autumn 2025—cements the fair's reputation as a place where deals are made. These figures, however, only tell part of the story. The on-site activity often leads to factory visits and long-term partnerships, suggesting the fair's true economic impact extends far beyond the official transaction totals.

The Digital Gateway: A Seamless Buyer Experience

In response to its growing scale, the Canton Fair has invested heavily in digital infrastructure to streamline the participant experience. For the 139th session, pre-registration is mandatory for all overseas buyers, a measure designed to manage the immense flow of attendees and enhance on-site efficiency. The process is fully digitized and accessible through the official Canton Fair website's Buyer Service System or a dedicated mobile app.

This digital evolution is a core part of the fair's strategy to reduce friction for international visitors. Recent sessions have seen the introduction of QR code credentials that reduce on-site registration time to a mere 30 seconds. Inside the vast exhibition complex, digital services such as indoor navigation were utilized nearly half a million times during the 137th fair, helping buyers efficiently locate exhibitors across the sprawling venue. Behind the scenes, AI-assisted systems now help manage the massive influx of exhibitor information, ensuring accuracy and accessibility.

Early pre-registration provides buyers with tangible benefits, including regular email updates on event highlights, exhibitor lists, and new product launches. This allows attendees to plan their visit strategically long before they arrive in Guangzhou. The integration of these digital tools reflects a broader trend in the global exhibition industry, where technology is being leveraged not just as a supplement but as a fundamental component of the trade show experience.

Navigating Entry and Sourcing Innovation

For many international attendees, a crucial component of their preparation is securing a Chinese visa. Recognizing this, the Canton Fair has integrated the application for an official invitation letter directly into its pre-registration system. This letter is an essential document for many nationalities when applying for a business (M) visa. The process is streamlined for both new and returning buyers, who can generate and download their invitation letters directly from the system upon successful registration.

This facilitation comes as China has been actively working to lower barriers for international business and tourism. In recent years, the government has expanded visa-free policies and simplified application processes for citizens of numerous European and Asian countries. These measures, combined with the fair's dedicated support, create a more welcoming environment for global commerce and significantly ease the logistical challenges of attending.

Once on the ground, buyers will find a marketplace that is evolving in both scale and substance. The Canton Fair is no longer just a platform for mass-produced goods; it has become a showcase for Chinese innovation. The 135th session alone featured over one million new products, including 100,000 classified as 'intelligent' and 400,000 as 'green low-carbon' products. Exhibitors are increasingly focusing on high-quality, high-performance items that reflect global demand for sustainability and advanced technology, from sophisticated service robots to new energy vehicles. This shift ensures that the fair remains a relevant and vital destination for businesses looking to build resilient and forward-looking supply chains.