Please refer to the following links for all Chinese Trade Fairs in Hong Kong and in Mainland China.
Trade Fair Calendars
Hong Kong: http://tradeshowcalendar.globalsources.com/TRADE-SHOW/Country/HK/Hong-Kong.HTM
Mainland China: http://tradeshowcalendar.globalsources.com/TRADE-SHOW/Country/CN/China.HTM
Since I do not know which kind of products you want to import, you need to select the appropriate Trade Fair yourself using the above links to the Trade Show Calendar provided by Global Sources.
Must Attend Trade Fairs
However, I do advise you attend a few specific Trade Fairs. These are an absolute must attend for importing professionals regardless which other Trade Fairs you want to visit.
Canton (Guangzhou) Spring Fair Phase I April 15 -20 Every year
Canton (Guangzhou) Spring Fair Phase II April 25 – 30. Every year
Canton (Guangzhou) Autumn Fair Phase I October 15 -20 Every year
Canton (Guangzhou) Autumn Fair Phase II October 25 -30 Every year
Please be aware that there are two different Exhibition Centers in Guangzhou:
- The Linhua Complex right in the center of the city
- The Pazhou Complex is a fantastic new building outside of the city center
Canton Trade Fairs
Please refer to the following link to Canton Fair Online: http://www.cantonfair.org.cn/en/index.asp
By checking this link you can verify the Phase and complex you need to attend for your specific product categories.
Hong Kong Trade Fairs
The other important Trade Fairs are the Hong Kong Trade Fairs. Depending on your product categories, it might even be possible to combine several Hong Kong Trade Fair visits along with a visit to the Canton Fair afterwards.
The most important Trade Fairs in Hong Kong are:
- Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair in January of each year
- Hong Kong Fashion Week for Fall/Winter in January of each year
- Asia’s Fashion Jewelry & Accessories Fair in March of each year
- HK Watch, Clock, Optical Parts and Accessories Fair in March of each year
- China Sourcing Fair Electronics & Components April 12 – 15 of each year
- Hong Kong Electronics Fair Spring Edition April 14 -17 of each year
- Hong Kong House Ware Fair April of each year
- China Sourcing Fair Gifts & Home Products April of each year
- Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair April of each year
- Hong Kong Fashion Week for Spring/Summer in July of each year
- China Sourcing Fair Electronics & Components October 12 -15 of each year
- China Sourcing Fair Electronics & Components October 12 -15 of each year
- Hong Kong Electronics Fair Autumn Edition October 13 -16 of each year
- China Sourcing Fair Gifts & Home Products October of each year
There are also two exhibition centers in Hong Kong:
- Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre located in Wan Chai
- Asia World-Expo located close to the Hong Kong airport facilities
Both venues have easy access by public transport and since Asia World-Expo is outside the city, it can be conveniently reached by the superfast Airport Express Train.
If you want to know about the location and details for each Trade Fair in Hong Kong, please refer to the following link: Hong Kong: http://tradeshowcalendar.globalsources.com/TRADE-SHOW/Country/HK/Hong-Kong.HTM
Attending Several Fairs in One Trip
It should be obvious that you can only combine visits to different Trade Fairs in Hong Kong and Mainland China if they happen to take place in April or October.
Many buyers take advantage of combining their specific Hong Kong based Trade Fair in April with the corresponding Trade Fair in Canton. That way you get the most information and need only one intercontinental flight to achieve it.
Other Regional Trade Fairs
As I mentioned before, there are additional Trade Fairs in other parts of China, which may be well worth your visit.
For instance, the China International Consumer Goods Fair in Ningbo is south of Shanghai. This Trade Fair will be arranged in June every year.
Besides that, there are other Trade Fairs in Guangzhou, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Beijing. Since there are so many, you can contact the Trade Fair Organizers for further details. Please refer to the following link:
Mainland China: http://tradeshowcalendar.globalsources.com/TRADE-SHOW/Country/CN/China.HTM
I have visited many of them and found the Trade Fairs in Ningbo and Shanghai quite interesting but it very much depends on the kind of products you are looking for.
It is also helpful to ask your suppliers or the companies that you want to meet in China whether any of them will be attending one or more of these fairs or what they know about different trade fairs.
Being a local, if they don’t attend why waste your hard earned money by going there?
Another way is to get a list of current Trade Fair exhibitors or one from last year’s participants and find out whether they are manufacturing the products you are looking for.
Don’t Waste Time and Money
Your primary task is to find out which vendors you will be able to meet when you get there. This is the most important question because if you end up at the wrong Trade Fair, it doesn’t matter how well prepared you are. Going to the wrong Trade Fair in China can cost you thousands of dollars and many days of wasted time. Best to do your homework thoroughly to avoid having your trip turn into a disaster. Or ask somebody who is already in China to investigate and advise you.
Register Online
You can register online for most of the Trade Fairs by using the links I have provided. You should definitely go for it because it saves you time and money in the long run by getting you in direct contact with as many suppliers as possible.
After your company registers for the first time, you will automatically receive your visitor’s pass for the Hong Kong Trade Fairs by mail. The Canton Fairs send an e-invitation which entitles you to free entrance. However, you need to register either at your hotel or at the entrance of the Guangzhou exhibition centers by presenting your e-invitation, a name card, and a photo to receive your entrance badge.