Attending a trade fair in China can be an effective way to identify new products, meet suppliers, and gain a better understanding of the opportunities available in a given sector.
China hosts numerous trade shows every year, both general and specialized. For a company preparing a sourcing project, the challenge is not just traveling to China, but above all choosing the fair that truly matches the products you are looking for.
Here are the main fairs to know, classified by product category.
General trade fairs: multiple product categories
Canton Fair – Guangzhou
Period: April-May and October-November, in three phases.
Product types: electronics, industrial equipment, machinery, vehicles, lighting, hardware, tools, furniture, decoration, household items, textiles, clothing, footwear, luggage, toys, children's products, sports, personal care products, and food products.
The Canton Fair, officially the China Import and Export Fair, is one of the major trade fairs held in China.
It takes place twice a year in Guangzhou and is divided into three phases corresponding to different product families. This organization allows buyers to target the most relevant periods according to their business.
For the autumn 2026 edition, for example, the first phase is scheduled from October 15 to 19, the second from October 23 to 27, and the third from October 31 to November 4.
Its main advantage is the diversity of exhibitors and sectors represented. It can be particularly suitable when a company wants to compare several product categories or meet many suppliers during a single trip.
East China Fair – Shanghai
Period: generally early March.
Product types: clothing, textiles, household products, gifts, consumer goods, and cross-border trade-related products.
The East China Fair, or ECF, is a B2B professional fair held in Shanghai. It is particularly focused on light industries, textiles, and apparel.
The 2026 edition was held from March 1 to 4, 2026 at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre. The fair included dedicated areas for clothing, textiles, household products, gifts, and international products.
It can be interesting for brands, distributors, or importers looking for suppliers in the textile, accessories, and consumer goods sectors.
Consumer goods and small commodities
Yiwu International Commodities Fair – Yiwu
Period: generally in October.
Product types: consumer goods, hardware, electronics, toys, sports and leisure items, office supplies, and small equipment.
The China Yiwu International Commodities Fair takes place in Yiwu, a city known for its large market dedicated to small commodities and consumer goods.
The 2026 edition is scheduled from October 21 to 24, 2026 at the Yiwu International Expo Center. The fair features sectors dedicated to consumer goods, hardware, electronic products, toys, sports items, and office supplies.
This fair can be particularly relevant for wholesalers, distributors, importers, and e-commerce sellers looking to quickly identify many product references.
A trip to Yiwu can also be complemented by a visit to the city's permanent market to expand the search for products and suppliers.
Furniture, decoration, and interior design
China International Furniture Fair – Shanghai, Guangzhou
Period: CIFF Shanghai: September, CIFF Guangzhou: March.
Product types: residential furniture, professional furniture, decoration, home textiles, outdoor furniture, equipment and components for the furniture industry.
The China International Furniture Fair, better known as CIFF, is a trade fair specializing in furniture and interior design.
The 2026 edition in Guangzhou took place in two parts: from March 18 to 21 and then from March 28 to 31. It covers both residential and professional furniture, decoration, home textiles, and equipment used by the furniture industry.
For a company working in furniture, hospitality, interior design, or decoration, the fair allows comparing different manufacturers and observing market trends.
It can also be interesting for private label product development projects, when adaptations of materials, dimensions, finishes, or packaging are necessary.
Hardware, tools, and DIY
China International Hardware Show – Shanghai
Period: September.
Product types: hardware, tools, DIY, technical equipment, and related products.
The China International Hardware Show, or CIHS, is a specialized fair for hardware and DIY professionals.
The 2026 edition is scheduled from September 28 to 30, 2026 at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre. The fair brings together manufacturers and suppliers offering various product categories related to hardware and DIY.
For a company looking for a very specific product category, a specialized fair like CIHS can allow for more focused meetings than a large general fair.
However, it remains important to arrive with a precise specification sheet, particularly regarding technical characteristics, materials, expected quality levels, and any applicable standards.
Industry, equipment, and production technologies
China International Industry Fair – Shanghai
Period: generally in autumn.
Product types: industrial automation, robotics, machine tools, metalworking, new technologies, energy, electronic components, and new materials.
The China International Industry Fair, or CIIF, is more oriented toward the needs of industrial companies.
The 2026 edition is scheduled from October 12 to 16, 2026 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai. The fair covers several areas, including industrial automation, robotics, machine tools, new materials, energy, and technologies related to smart manufacturing.
CIIF can be particularly interesting when a company is looking not for a simple finished product, but for a machine, production equipment, or industrial solution.
In this type of project, preparing for the fair must be very precise: expected capacities, production rate, dimensions, compatibility with existing equipment, maintenance, and technical compliance.
How to choose the right fair for your project?
The most well-known fair is not necessarily the one that best meets every project.
A company looking for several product categories may prefer a large general fair like the Canton Fair, while a company with a very specific need can save time by attending a specialized fair.
Before traveling, it is useful to define:
the products sought;
important technical characteristics;
forecast volumes;
the type of supplier sought;
the suppliers or exhibitors to meet;
the information to obtain during meetings.
To properly prepare your visit to the Canton Fair, discover our tips for organizing efficiently your visit or contact us directly.
Preparing for the fair is not enough: you also need to qualify suppliers
A trade fair allows you to quickly create many contacts, but meeting a supplier at a booth does not guarantee that they truly match the project's requirements.
After the fair, you generally need to compare offers, verify the companies you met, request samples, and analyze their production capabilities.
Depending on the project, a more in-depth verification or a factory audit may also be necessary before placing an order.
Our local teams are present at the main trade fairs in China.
Diex International supports you in preparing for and visiting trade fairs in China, as well as in researching, selecting, and qualifying suppliers met on site. The goal is to turn contacts made during the fair into suppliers truly suited to your project.
