Thinking of attending the Canton Fair?
Here's what it will cost you to go to the Canton Fair, and a smarter way to get the products you need from China.
Do you want to speak to an expert who can help you source goods from China? Contact us today.
Canton Fair Cost Breakdown: What You'll Spend On
1. Canton Fair Registration Cost
Canton Fair Registration is FREE if you register online, ahead of the fair.
You must have:
- Registered for the coming fair,
- Pre-register your buyer’s badge, and
- Apply for the invitation letter,
Getting all these done in time means you get it all for Free.
Follow this guide to register for the Canton Fair.
It will cost you if you find your way to the fair without doing these registrations.
- Canton Fair Registration Cost at the Venue: 15$
Note: Registration is only necessary for new buyers. So if you have been to the Canton Fair before, you can skip this.
- Canton Fair Buyers Badge Cost at the Venue: 30$
Regular buyers who have misplaced their badge will also have to pay this fee.
Total estimate of the Canton Fair Registration: 45$ (₦75,000 || 300RMB).
2. Visa and Travel Costs:
To attend the Canton Fair in China, you'll need a valid passport and visa, which typically cost around $80.
Another important document you would need is a Police Character Certificate, which costs about $35.
Flights from Nigeria to Guangzhou will also cost an average of $1000, depending on the class you choose to fly in.
Total estimate of Visa and Travel Costs: $1,115 (₦1.8M || 8,100 RMB).
3. Accommodation and Feeding:
Several hostels are located near the Canton Fair venue in Guangzhou, and their prices range from $13 per night to $215 per night.
If you decide to go for the low end, you should budget $300 - $500 for the entire 21 days of the Canton Fair.
For your daily expenses on feeding and other essentials, you can budget $30 per day, which would add up to $630 through the Canton Fair.
At SARA, we don't advise our clients to attend the entire 3 phases of the Canton Fair, which will span about 21 days.
The best way to do this is to attend the phase that exhibits products in your industry. This way, you can spend just about 7 days.
Total estimate of Accommodation and Feeding (7 days): $320 (₦ 520,000 || 2,300 RMB).
Learn about the product exhibit in:
4. Transportation Within Guangzhou
Movements from the hotel to the Canton Fair complex, and movement within the venue itself (1,620,000 square meters), will cost you.
You can budget around $150 for this, but you might need more than this if you want to explore other places around the Canton Fair complex in Guangzhou.
Total estimate of Transportation Within Guangzhou: $150 (₦ 240,000 || 2,300 RMB).
5. Miscellaneous Costs
Beyond the big-ticket line items, you’ll also want to budget for a few smaller, but critical, expenses to make your visit truly productive.
For example, you might need a daily interpreter’s help, have to reprint business cards if you run out during your trip, secure reliable internet access, and cover other similar expenses.
Total estimate of miscellaneous costs: $200 (₦320,000 || 1,500 RMB).
Canton Fair Cost Summary.
| No. | Breakdown | Cost |
| 1. | Canton Fair Registration Cost | $45 |
| 2. | Visa and Travel Costs (From Nigeria) | $1,115 |
| 3. | Accommodation and Feeding | $320 |
| 4. | Transportation Within Guangzhou | $150 |
| 5. | Miscellaneous Costs | $200 |
| TOTAL | $1830 (₦3M, 14,000 RMB) |
Note: The above cost breakdown is only an estimate for Nigerians who want to attend the fair. If you want a specific budget for your country, contact us today.
Do I need tickets for the Canton Fair?
This is a common question asked, and the answer is:
No, you don’t.
All you need to enter the Canton fair complex is your buyer's badge, which you get for free at the venue if you pre-register online.
Follow the guide in this article to learn how to pre-register for your buyer’s badge.
Can I Skip the Trip and Still Source from the Canton Fair?
Yes, you can skip the trip to the Canton Fair and still get your products from the fair.
You have two options here:
1. Canton Fair Online:
The Canton Fair has an online marketplace where products are exhibited yearly from March to September.
You can attend the online Canton Fair, skip the trip, and get the products you need.
Note: To avoid falling victim to fraud from online suppliers during the fair, simply send the product and supplier details to our experts at SARA. We'll verify the supplier’s legitimacy, check the product quality, and handle shipping the goods directly to you.
2. Outsource your Product Sourcing:
With this, all you have to do is let us know the product you need, and we will do the work of finding a reliable supplier in China that manufactures quality products.
We assist you with all the steps required, like negotiation, inspection, customs clearance, and shipping and get the product to your desired location.
Why More Businesses Are Choosing to Work with SARA Instead.
1. Real cost savings
By skipping the trip, you eliminate expenses like airfare, visa fees, hotel accommodation, and local transportation, costs that can easily run into thousands of dollars.
In addition, we leverage our strong relationships with multiple Canton Fair exhibitors to negotiate better payment terms and volume discounts on your behalf.
If you need product samples, we can help you consolidate them into a single shipment, reducing courier fees significantly.
Altogether, this approach allows you to save between 30% to 50% compared to sourcing products on your own by attending the fair in person.
2. Time saved:
Working with SARA also helps you save valuable time.
From the moment you make an inquiry to the final delivery of your goods, a dedicated expert handles every detail, giving you one reliable point of contact throughout the process.
Instead of spending days walking through the endless aisles of the fair, you’ll receive a carefully curated list of pre‑qualified suppliers who match your specific product needs.
While the fair is ongoing, our local team is already on the ground conducting factory visits, carrying out quality checks, and handling price negotiations.
This means that what would normally take you weeks of travel, back‑and‑forth communication, and follow‑up can be accomplished in just a few days.
3. Expert support with sourcing, logistics, and clearance
With SARA, you get expert support throughout the entire sourcing, logistics, and clearance process.
We handle everything from product specification and sampling to packing, customs documentation, insurance, and final delivery.
Our in-house customs specialists ensure that all paperwork is accurately prepared and submitted, helping you avoid delays, fines, or unexpected tariffs.
Throughout the entire process, you’ll receive real-time updates, from supplier confirmation to when your goods arrive at the port, so you’re never left in the dark.
The result is complete peace of mind, knowing that every logistical and regulatory detail for your business is managed by experienced professionals.
Partner With SARA to Source Products From China
Attending the Canton Fair can be a valuable experience, but it’s not the only way to access quality products from reliable Chinese suppliers.
By partnering with SARA, you get all the benefits of the fair without the cost, stress, or travel.
Our team handles everything, from supplier sourcing and verification to negotiation, inspection, shipping, and customs clearance, so you can focus on growing your business.
Contact SARA today and let us help you source smarter.
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