For our registration demonstration video, click here!
The 127th Canton Fair, officially called the China Import and Export Fair, is less than one month away (June 15-24, 2020). Already the longest-running and the largest trade show in mainland China, the Canton Fair will be achieving another milestone this year—its first ever online exhibition.
Initially a pragmatic response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the choice has since grown to become a major initiative for innovative development. The Canton Fair intends to provide 24/7 online services for product promotion, business matchmaking and negotiations, and remote order placement for both Chinese and international businesses.
Additionally, the fair also plans on:
- -Setting up a cross-border e-commerce zone to explore new possibilities for efficient international trade
- -Promoting a batch of cross-border e-commerce brand enterprises
- -Providing live stream services for exhibitors to promote their products to buyers
- -Enabling face-to-face negotiation or mass marketing promotion to audiences
The move online means guests won’t be able to marvel at the Canton Fair Complex. At 1,100,000 m2, the entire center is approximately the size of 71 Walmart Supercenters or 218 football fields. However, it does mean the fair is open to more people than ever, with invitations extended to over 400,000 global buyers.
As you can see, the magnitude of the event remains unchanged, despite the transition online. The Canton Fair’s sheer size means the event is split into three sessions.
Phase I
Electronics & Household Electrical Appliances
• Household electrical
appliances
• Consumer Electronics and
Information Products
• Electronic and electrical
products
Lighting Equipment
• Lighting Equipment
Vehicles & Spare Parts
• Bicycles
• Motorcycles
• Vehicle spare parts
• Vehicles
Machinery
• Large Machinery &
Equipment
• Power Machinery and
Electric Power
• General Machinery, Small
Processing Machinery and
Industrial Accessories
• Construction and Agriculture
Machinery
Hardware & Tools
• Hardware
• Tools
Building Materials
• Building and decorative
materials
• Sanitary and bathroom
equipment
Chemical Products
• Chemical products
Energy Resources
• New Energy Resources
Phase II
Consumer Goods
• General ceramics
• Household items
• Personal care products
• Toiletries
• Kitchenware & tableware
• Pet Products & Food
Gifts
• Clocks, watches & optical instruments
• Toys
• Gifts and premiums
• Festival products
Home Decorations
• Art ceramics
• Home decorations
• Glass artware
• Furniture
• Gardening products
• Stone/Iron Decoration &
Outdoor Spa Equipment
• Weaving, rattan and iron
arts
Phase III
Home Decorations
• Men and women’s clothing
• Kids’ wear
• Underwear
• Sports and casual wear
• Furs, leather, downs &
related products
• Fashion accessories and
fittings
• Home textiles
• Textile raw materials and
fabrics
• Carpets & tapestries
Shoes
• Shoes
Office Supplies, Cases & Bags, and Recreation Products
• Office Supplies
• Cases and Bags
• Sports, Travel and
Recreation Products
Food
• Food
Medicines, Medical Devices and Health Products
• Medicines, Health Products and Medical Devices
Also unchanged is much of the registration process. If you’re interested in attending this year’s event, join us for a walkthrough as we demystify the multi-step process to getting a buyer badger.
How to Get a Canton Fair Buyer Badge
Originally written in Chinese, much of the site can be a bit confusing to navigate and the calls-to action are not always clear. We’ve simplified the process as best we can through the following 7 easy steps.
1. Register
Head to the official site to begin the application. Use the form to fill in your personal information, then hit “Registration” at the bottom.
2. Email Verification
Upon completion, you’ll receive a unique verification URL at the email address you provided. This process may take a few minutes, so hang tight.
Click the link to verify your email and continue your application.
3. Log In
The email URL will redirect you to a login page where you can enter your credentials and log in. If successful, you’ll be taken to an application dashboard where a prompt will pop up to ask if you’ve already gotten a buyer badge. Click “No.”
4. Personal Information
We’ll be going down the row of menu items on the left. First up, hit “Personal Information” to complete your profile.
The first form should already be filled out so make sure the details are correct.
Add your contact information on the next page, then hit “Submit.”
Next, you’ll need to upload a couple of different items:
-ID Photo
-Passport photo
-Photo of your business card
Remember to review the guidelines (red text) for each photo before uploading it.
5. Create Your Company Profile
Next, you’ll need to create a profile for your company, the entity you’re representing during the fair. You’ll also be able to add coworkers and team members to this company profile.
Click “Company Information” from the left hand menu. Add your company name and email, then click “Create a company.”
Next, fill out your company’s profile information, then click “Create a company.”
6. Assign Roles
Next, you’ll need to associate your personal profile to the newly created company profile. Click on the “Associate management” tab from the left side menu.
Then click “add new associates” to fill in your personal details. Don’t forget to give yourself the role of administrator.
7. Pre-apply for your buyer badge
From the left side menu, select “My buyer badge.” The menu choices will change on the next page. From the new left side menu, select “Pre application for Buyer Badge.”
Enter your name and the email address associated with your account, then hit “Query.” Once the search returns your name, tick the box next to your name, and proceed with the rest of the form. Hit “Submit.”
This will update the status of your application to “To be accepted.” The results of the application will be mailed to you once it gets reviewed.
And that’s it!
Because the event has transitioned online, you won’t need to worry about applying for an invitation which is normally used to obtain a travel visa for the event. Use the time instead to check out all the other exciting features of the online event.
Tencent has come on board as the technical service provider for the Fair. China’s tech giant will offer technical and cloud support for traders as well as a livestream service to enable buyers to conduct individual negotiation or join in on a mass promotional event.
For more information and updates on the event, head to the Canton Fair website.
