Home » Resources » Manufacturing Trade Fairs Guide

Major Manufacturing Trade Fairs in China

Key Takeaway: China's major trade fairs offer the most efficient way to meet hundreds of qualified manufacturers in one trip. The Canton Fair alone attracts over 200,000 foreign buyers. Plan at least 3 months ahead as hotels fill up weeks before major events.

1. Canton Fair (China Import and Export Fair)

Detail	Information
Dates (2026/2027)	Phase 1 (Apr 15-19 / Oct 15-19): Electronics, hardware, machinery Phase 2 (Apr 23-27 / Oct 23-27): Consumer goods, gifts, home decor Phase 3 (May 1-5 / Oct 31-Nov 4): Textiles, food, medical, office
Location	Pazhou Complex, Guangzhou
Exhibitors	25,000+
Buyers	200,000+ from 200 countries
Admission	Free with pre-registration at cantonfair.org.cn

The Canton Fair is the largest and most comprehensive trade fair in China, covering virtually every manufacturing category. Most first-time buyers should plan for 2-3 days at the fair plus additional days for factory visits.

2. DMC (China International Die & Mould Exhibition)

China's premier mold and die trade fair. June 2026, NECC Shanghai. 1,500+ exhibitors. Focus: injection molds, die casting dies, stamping dies, EDM, CNC, hot runner systems. A must-attend for buyers sourcing molds or tooling.

3. CHINAPLAS (International Rubber and Plastics Exhibition)

Asia's largest plastics and rubber trade fair. April 21-24, 2026 at NECC Shanghai. 4,000+ exhibitors. The best place to see the latest injection molding machines and meet plastic part manufacturers and mold makers.

4. CIIE (China International Import Expo)

November 5-10, 2026 at NECC Shanghai. Unique import-focused fair. Valuable for meeting Chinese OEM/ODM manufacturers who serve multinational brands.

5. Other Important Fairs

Fair	City	Dates	Focus
IAMDS (Industrial Automation)	Shenzhen	Mar/Apr	Factory automation, robotics
CIMES (Machine Tools)	Beijing	June	CNC, cutting tools, machining
Auto Shanghai	Shanghai	Apr (odd years)	Automotive parts, manufacturing
Electronica China	Shanghai	March	Electronic components
Hong Kong Electronics Fair	Hong Kong	Apr/Oct	Consumer electronics

6. Practical Tips

Pre-register online to avoid 30-90 minute on-site registration lines.
Bring lots of business cards. Consider having one side printed in Chinese.
Use the exhibitor directory to identify target booths before arrival. Plan for 20-30 booth visits per day.
Book hotels 2 months ahead. Prices increase 2-3x during fair periods.
Schedule factory visits for days before or after the fair.
Combine Canton Fair with factory visits in Dongguan, Shenzhen, or Foshan (1-3 hours from Guangzhou).

Pro Tip: For the most efficient sourcing trip, combine the Canton Fair (Guangzhou) with factory visits in nearby manufacturing cities. Most suppliers from the Pearl River Delta exhibit at the fair and can arrange factory visits for the days following the event.