So you've decided to attend the Canton Fair; great decision.

But before you can walk through the doors of the China Import and Export Fair Complex in Guangzhou, there's one thing you absolutely must have: your Canton Fair IC Badge (also called the Buyer Entry Badge or Buyer Card).

Without it, you're not getting in.

This guide walks you through exactly how to apply for your Canton Fair IC Badge, online and on-site, what it costs, how long it lasts, and what to do if things go wrong.

Want help sourcing and shipping goods from the Canton Fair directly to Nigeria? Contact SARA today and let our experts handle the heavy lifting.

Who Needs a Canton Fair Buyer Badge (IC Card)?

The Canton Fair IC Badge is required for every buyer who wants to enter the fair in person. 

No exceptions. 

It is the only official admission credential to the fair and has been mandatory since October 2008.

Whether you are a new buyer, overseas buyer, or Chinese buyer, you need the Canton Fair IC Badge to gain access to the fair.

Already planning to attend the Canton Fair and want to know what the trip will cost you in total? Read our full breakdown: Canton Fair Cost: What You'll Spend.

Step-by-Step: How to Apply for Your Canton Fair IC Badge Online

Pre-applying online is the smartest move; it saves you time at the venue, avoids queues, and, for regular and new overseas buyers, it's completely free.

Here's how to do it:

Step 1: Register Your Company (New Buyers Only):

If your company has never attended the Canton Fair, you need to create an account first.

1. Go to the Buyer E-Service Tool (BEST), the Canton Fair's official online registration platform.

2. Select the option that best fits your identity and fill in your company details.

3. The Canton Fair will issue your company a username and password within 3 working days of completing registration.

If you're a returning buyer and have forgotten your login credentials, click Login and the forgot password on the Buyer E-Service Tool (BEST) platform.

Step 2: Apply for an Invitation (If You Need a China Visa):

If you need a Chinese visa to travel to Guangzhou, you'll need a Canton Fair invitation letter to support your visa application.

1. Log in to BEST using your company credentials.

2. Apply for an invitation for the current session of the Canton Fair.

3. You can choose between a paper invitation card or an e-invitation (which you print out yourself).

This is free of charge.

If you already have a valid Chinese visa or don't need one, you can skip this step entirely and go straight to Step 3.

Step 3: Pre-Apply for Your IC Badge (Buyer Entry Badge):

This is the critical step. There are two options depending on where you plan to collect your badge:

Option A — Collect in Hong Kong (available year-round):

1. Download and fill in the Pre-application form for Buyer Entry Badge.

2. Submit it, along with the required documents, to the Canton Fair Hong Kong Representative Office at application-hk@cantonfair.org.cn.

3. Approval and collection details will be sent to you by email within 3 working days.

Important note: If your plans change and you end up collecting your badge at the Canton Fair Complex in Guangzhou instead of Hong Kong, an additional fee of  200 RMB per badge will apply.

Option B — Collect at the Canton Fair Complex or Appointed Hotels in Guangzhou (during the fair period only):

1. Log in to Buyer E-Service Tool (BEST) using your company credentials.

2. Navigate to the pre-application section and apply for your IC Badge for the upcoming session.

3. You'll receive email confirmation within 3 working days.

Step 4: What You'll Need at the Counter

When you arrive to collect your badge, whether in Hong Kong or Guangzhou, bring the following:

Your original personal document (valid overseas passport, HK/Macao Home-return Permit, Taiwan Compatriot Travel Certificate, or a Chinese passport with a valid long-term overseas employment visa)

Your email confirmation/collection notice (or paper/e-invitation from Canton Fair)

A recent colour photograph for the badge photo.

Your personal business card.

Note that what the Canton Fair needs for your badge photo is a recent, clear, full-face colour photograph that the registration staff will scan when issuing your IC Badge. 

No passport-style background colour is specified, but the face must be fully visible and unobscured.

Where and How to Collect Your IC Badge On Arrival

Once your pre-application is approved, you have two places to collect your badge:

1. Canton Fair Hong Kong Representative Office

Available throughout the year (not just during fair season). This is ideal if you're transiting through Hong Kong or prefer to collect your badge before reaching Guangzhou.

2. Overseas Buyers' Registration Offices at the Canton Fair Complex, Guangzhou

These are open only during the Canton Fair period. There are also registration counters at appointed hotels in Guangzhou for added convenience.

When you arrive at the counter, present all required documents listed in Step 4 above. Staff will verify your identity, scan your photo, and issue your IC Card on the spot.

Pro tip: Always go early. Registration counters can get busy, especially in the first few days of each phase. 

Also, pre-registering online can significantly cut down your waiting time in the queue. You will often find a dedicated Green Line or express counter for pre-registered buyers.

Badge Validity and Multi-Session Use

One of the best things about the Canton Fair IC Badge is that it doesn't expire between sessions.

Once your IC Badge is issued, it is valid for all future sessions of the Canton Fair, spring and autumn editions alike. 

You don't need to apply for a new badge every time you attend. Simply bring the same card back for your next visit.

That said, you still need to pre-register for each session you plan to attend, so the organisers know to expect you. Your badge gives you access; registration confirms your participation for that specific session.

To understand what else you need to prepare before attending, read our detailed guide: Canton Fair Participation: What You Need to Know.

I Lost My Badge - What Can I Do

It happens. You're in Guangzhou, juggling suppliers, meetings, and samples, and your IC Badge goes missing.

Here's what to do:

1. Go to the nearest Overseas Buyers' Registration Office at the Canton Fair Complex.

Don't wait. Once you report the loss, the old badge is deactivated immediately to prevent unauthorised use.

2. Bring your original personal documents.

You'll need your valid passport (or equivalent document), a recent colour photograph (full frontal face), and your personal business card.

3. Pay the replacement fee.

A lost badge replacement costs HK$250 or 200 RMB per card. This fee is non-negotiable.

4. Collect your new badge on the spot.

The replacement process is handled on-site. You won't need to wait days to regain access.

Note: If your badge is damaged rather than lost, and you can prove the damage, replacement is free of charge. Bring the damaged badge with you to the counter.

How Much Does the Canton Fair Buyer Badge Cost?

Here's a quick cost summary:

Scenario

Fee 

New buyer

HK$120 / 100 RMB

Pre-applied via the HK office

200 RMB

Lost badge replacement 

HK$250 / 200 RMB

Damaged badge replacement

Free

For a full breakdown of everything it costs to attend the Canton Fair, from flights to feeding, read: Canton Fair Cost Breakdown: What You'll Spend.

Why Work with SARA After You Source at the Canton Fair

Attending the Canton Fair is only half the battle. The other half, getting everything you sourced safely and affordably from Guangzhou to Nigeria, is where most buyers run into problems.

Shipping delays. Customs confusion. Unexpected fees. Fragile goods were damaged in transit.

That's where SARA comes in.

SARA Procurement Services Ltd is a China-to-Nigeria freight and sourcing specialist. We've helped hundreds of Nigerian businesses move goods from Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and beyond, by sea and by air, with full customs clearance support at both ends.

The Canton Fair is a goldmine of sourcing opportunities. SARA makes sure those opportunities don't get stuck at the port.

Contact SARA today and tell us what you're shipping. We'll take it from there.