When you are searching for new products or a specific supplier for our products, it is a possible option to visit a trade fair in China. On a trade fair, you can find various manufacturers and suppliers where they exhibit their propositions. The wide selection at a trade fair ensures that you can directly meet with multiple parties. Makes it the perfect place to get acquainted with numerous suppliers and their products without the need of traveling long distances between all factory locations in China.
Where should you visit a trade fair in China?
China is an enormous country, which makes it inconvenient to travel to many manufacturers and suppliers to meet them. Visiting a fair is, therefore, a convenient place for both parties. Which makes it the ideal meeting point for the vendee and the supplier for their business purposes. Such as negotiating, discussing your needs and terms.
However, as there are many different factories in different sectors, producing different products at various locations. There are also different trade fairs of different industries at different locations. Traveling to all these different fairs as well as the manufactures is inconvenient and almost impossible. That is why it is recommended to conduct research which trade fair you would like to visit. To ensure, that you are attending a suitable one in China.
Which trade fairs in China are the most important?
The wide variety of trade fairs in China can give the feeling that it is hard to select which trade fairs are currently the most important. In the sense of being valuable and most effective for your business. There are many trade fairs which are positioned lower on the ranking due to the existence of numerous larger ones which are more extensive with the same offerings.
The most important trade fairs in China signifies as the most popular with the highest number of visitors. Such as the Canton Fair (Guangzhou, China Import & Export Complex) which is the largest scaled trade fair in China. In the three phases of the Canton Fair, every branch comes forward at this fair.
The China International Furniture Fair (CIFF) is an example of popular trade fairs in China. It is organized twice a year in Guangzhou and Shanghai. There are numerous examples of other popular trade fairs which you can visit.
Beijing
– Build + Décor – Trade Fair for Building and Decoration Materials – Estimated count of visitors 200 000
– China International Optics Fair – Trade Fair for Glasses and Optics – Estimated count of visitors 50000
– China International Jewellery Fair – Trade Fair for Jewellery – Estimated count of visitors 40000
Guangzhou
– China International Beauty Expo – Trade Fair for Beauty and Cosmetic Products Trade Fair – Estimated count of visitors 910 000
– China International Furniture Fair – Trade Fair for Furniture – Estimated count of visitors 290 000
– Canton Fair – China Import Export Fair – Estimated count of visitors 250 000
– China International Building and Decoration Fair – Trade Fair for Furniture and Building Decorations – Estimated count of visitors 180 000
– Guangzhou International Lighting Exhibition – Trade Fair for Lighting – Estimated count of visitors 165 998
Shenzhen
– China Hi-Tech Fair – Trade Fair for High Tech and Information Technology – Estimated count of visitors 540 000
– China International Medical Equipment fair – Trade Fair for Medical Equipment -Estimated count of visitors 120 000
– China International Internet of Things Exhibition – Trade Fair for Technology and Applications – Estimated count of visitors 116512
– China International Logistic and Transportation fair – Trade Fair for Logistic and Transportation – Estimated count of visitors 80 000
Hong Kong
– Cosmoprof Asia – Trade Fair for Beauty Products – Estimated count of visitors 83700 visitors
– Hong Kong Electronics fair – Trade Fair for Electronics – Estimated count of visitors 63539
– Hong Kong International Lighting Fair – Trade Fair for Lighting – Estimated count of visitors 42752
Shanghai
– Bakery China – Trade Fair for Bakery & Confectionery – Estimated count of visitors 238 263
– Automechanica Shanghai – Trade Fair for Automotive Products – Estimated count of visitors 150 568
– Intertextille Shanghai Apparel Fabrics – Trade Fair for Apparel – Estimated count of visitors 82314
– East China Fair – Trade Fair for Garments, Textiles, Home Products, and Gifts – Estimated count of visitors 50000
– China International Agrochemical & Crop Protection Exhibition – Trade Fair for Agrochemical Equipment and Crop Protection – Estimated count of visitors 37583
– R+T Asia Trade fair – Trade Fair for Roller Shutters, Door Gates, Windows and Sun Protection Systems – Estimated count of visitors 50000
– Intl Health Wellness and Fitness Trade Event – Trade Fair for Health, Wellness, and Fitness – Estimated count of visitors 47176
It is difficult to rank which fairs are the best or most valuable. Each business person is searching for a specific product or service. Moreover, product requirements can differ per company or person.
What do I need to visit a fair in China?
To visit a trade fair in China, it is required to decide which one you would like to visit beforehand. Looking at the dates of the organized trade fairs is necessary. Based on these dates, you can plan upfront during which period you would like to visit and are the most relevant for you. After this, you can book your flight to the nearest airport and arrange the following:
China Business Visa
When you are visiting China, you will have to keep in mind with the fact you need to have to be allowed to enter China. An M-Visa is mandatory which is the Business Visa for China. For this, an official invitation letter of the Chinese company is needed. You can receive a visa from the trade fair in China that you intend to visit. However, it is also an option to receive an official business invitation from us.
Guidance on trade fairs
It can happen that you have never been in contact with the country China or their suppliers. In this case, we recommend arranging guidance. Concerning that guidance can help you to avoid risks. In China, most of the people are not able to speak English. The primary language is Chinese (Mandarin). You will notice it when you visit a trade fair in China. From the taxi drivers up to the fair personnel is in general not able to speak English. The most important is that you can communicate well with the Chinese vendors who are standing at a trade fair. Keep in mind that it could be hard to interact with most of the participants/vendors.
Besides communication, knowing how to do business at a trade fair is a must. Knowledge of the Chinese business culture and suppliers is a requirement to get a result out of your visit. It ensures that you avoid pitfalls and difficulties. It can be of added value to make use of guidance from a procurement agent. To precisely see and analyze if you are facing the right supplier at the trade fair. Visiting a trade fair with any guidance from a procurement agent can be the crucial factor of a successful continuation of your buying/procurement process in China.