Trade fair guide
China Trade Fairs for Indian Importers
China hosts some of the world's largest and most important trade fairs. For Indian importers, attending the right fair at the right time can transform your sourcing — giving you direct access to hundreds of manufacturers, the ability to compare products side-by-side, and the chance to build supplier relationships that last years.
This guide covers the four fairs most relevant to Indian importers, with practical information on timing, what each fair is good for, and how Indochina Trades supports clients who attend.
Canton Fair
China Import and Export Fair
The Canton Fair is the largest and oldest trade fair in China, running since 1957. It is held twice a year at the China Import and Export Fair Complex in Guangzhou — one of the largest exhibition venues in the world. With over 25,000 exhibitors and hundreds of thousands of buyers from across the globe, it covers virtually every product category imaginable.
Good for sourcing
- Furniture, home décor, and building materials (Phase 1)
- Electronics, lighting, and hardware (Phase 1)
- Garments, textiles, and fashion accessories (Phase 2)
- Toys, gifts, and household items (Phase 3)
- Food, health products, and medical devices (Phase 3)
Why attend
If you are sourcing across multiple product categories, the Canton Fair is the single most efficient place to do it. You can meet hundreds of verified manufacturers in three days, compare prices side by side, and place sample orders on the spot. The April session is particularly important for buyers planning their inventory for the festive season.
How Indochina Trades supports you
Our Guangzhou office is active throughout both Canton Fair sessions. We help clients plan their visit itinerary by category and phase, arrange accommodation near the venue (which books out months in advance), provide Mandarin interpretation during supplier meetings, and consolidate samples from multiple exhibitors into a single shipment back to India.
Yiwu International Trade Fair
China Yiwu International Commodities Fair
Yiwu is home to the world's largest small commodities market — a permanent wholesale market with over 75,000 booths spread across five districts. The annual Yiwu International Trade Fair brings together manufacturers and traders from across China, with a particular focus on the categories that Yiwu is famous for: toys, gifts, stationery, fashion accessories, festive items, and everyday household goods.
Good for sourcing
- Toys, games, and children's products
- Gifts, novelties, and promotional items
- Fashion jewellery and accessories
- Stationery and office supplies
- Festive and seasonal decorations
- Artificial flowers and home décor
Why attend
Yiwu is the best place in the world to source small-quantity, high-variety orders. If you run a retail business and need a wide range of products at low MOQs, Yiwu is unmatched. The permanent market is open year-round, but the annual fair brings in manufacturers who do not have permanent booths, giving you access to a wider range of suppliers.
How Indochina Trades supports you
We have a permanent presence in Yiwu and know the market intimately. For clients attending the fair, we arrange guided tours of the relevant market districts, provide interpretation, and help negotiate prices. For clients who cannot travel, we attend on their behalf, photograph products, and send detailed comparison reports.
China International Import Expo
China International Import Expo (CIIE)
The CIIE is unique among Chinese trade fairs in that it is specifically designed for imports into China — but it has become increasingly relevant for Indian importers because it showcases global brands and technologies that are available for distribution in Asia. It is also a strong signal of which product categories the Chinese government is actively promoting for international trade.
Good for sourcing
- High-end consumer goods and luxury products
- Food and agricultural products
- Medical devices and healthcare products
- Intelligent manufacturing and technology
- Services and financial products
Why attend
The CIIE is less about buying and more about understanding market trends and building relationships with premium suppliers. If you are looking to import higher-value goods or explore categories beyond the typical wholesale markets, the CIIE gives you access to a different tier of Chinese and international manufacturers.
How Indochina Trades supports you
We accompany clients to the CIIE for category-specific research and supplier introductions. Our Shanghai contacts help with registration (which requires advance application), accommodation, and post-fair follow-up with exhibitors who expressed interest in the Indian market.
East China Fair
East China Fair (华交会)
The East China Fair is one of China's oldest regional trade fairs, focused on light industrial goods, textiles, garments, and consumer products from the Yangtze River Delta region — one of China's most productive manufacturing zones. It is held shortly after Chinese New Year, making it the first major sourcing opportunity of the calendar year.
Good for sourcing
- Garments, textiles, and fashion
- Shoes, bags, and leather goods
- Homeware and kitchenware
- Toys and gifts
- Stationery and paper products
- Cosmetics and personal care
Why attend
The East China Fair is ideal for buyers who want to source from the Yangtze Delta region — which includes Shanghai, Hangzhou, Suzhou, and Ningbo — without visiting multiple cities. It is also a good opportunity to meet suppliers who are not present at the Canton Fair, giving you access to a different pool of manufacturers.
How Indochina Trades supports you
We help clients plan their East China Fair visit around factory visits in the surrounding region. After the fair, we can arrange day trips to nearby manufacturing hubs in Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces, where many of the exhibitors are based.
Full trip support
How we support clients who travel to China
Attending a trade fair in China is a significant investment of time and money. We help you get the most out of every trip — from the moment you land to the moment your samples arrive back in India.
Accommodation guidance
Hotels near major fair venues book out months in advance. We advise on the best areas to stay, typical price ranges, and how to book early. For the Canton Fair in particular, we recommend booking at least three months ahead.
Mandarin interpretation
Our team members accompany you to supplier meetings and interpret in real time. This is not just translation — we understand the context of trade negotiations and can help you ask the right questions, read between the lines, and avoid common misunderstandings.
Factory visits
Trade fairs show you what a supplier wants you to see. Factory visits show you the reality. We arrange visits to the factories of suppliers you meet at the fair, so you can verify their production capacity, quality standards, and working conditions before placing an order.
Sample consolidation
After a trade fair, you will typically have samples from dozens of suppliers. Shipping them individually is expensive and complicated. We collect all your samples at our warehouse, consolidate them into a single shipment, and send them to your address in India — saving you significant cost and paperwork.
Can't travel to China?
Most of our clients never visit China at all. We attend trade fairs on their behalf, photograph products, collect price lists, and send detailed comparison reports. You get the benefit of a trade fair visit without the cost of the trip.
If you have a specific product in mind, tell us what you need and we will source it — whether or not there is a fair happening. Our team is on the ground in Guangzhou, Yiwu, Shenzhen year-round.