By Azeez Ope Quadri 
Are you a buyer and planning to attend the 140th Fair in China? The registration for the 2026 Canton Fair in China has now opened. The Fair, which is in three phases, will run from October 15 to November 4, 2026.
Step-By-Step Guide for Canton Fair Registration
For Nigerians and buyers from other countries who plan to attend the Fair and are constrained by exorbitant agents’ fees, here is the step-by-step guide on how to register, get a Canton Fair invitation letter and secure a China visa.
1) Download the Canton Fair app from the Google Play Store
2) Register as an Overseas Buyer. When registering, use Gmail because you may not receive relevant information if you use Yahoo Mail
3) Complete your profile. You need the following to complete your registration:
4) Select your sourcing intent. By sourcing intent, I mean what you are interested in buying; this ranges from hardware to home appliances. You can select and confirm multiple products.
5) Under the ID document type, choose the one that fits the passport you have. In most cases, an overseas passport is suitable for buyers attending the Canton Fair in China
6) Take a photo of the passport data page for the app to automatically recognise your information, such as name on ID document, gender, date of birth and your country.
7) After this, you can fill in the expiry date on your passport.
8) Go to the buyer name section to fill it. Use the same name on your passport. The name will be printed on your badge. The name must not exceed 30 characters.
9) Then upload your Canton Fair badge photo. Photo must be clear, not tilted, no hat or cap on, no glasses on.
10) Complete other parts and click Buyer Service System.
11) Select Invitation Letter.
12) Submit your application.
The whole process takes about 5 minutes if your details are ready. In many cases, the invitation letter is approved within a few days. Once you have your invitation letter, you can proceed with your China visa application using the required documents.
About China Canton Fair
The Canton Fair or China Import and Export Fair, is a trade fair held in the spring and autumn seasons each year since the spring of 1957 in Guangzhou, Guangdong, China. It is the oldest, largest, and most representative trade fair in China.
The fair is co-hosted by the Ministry of Commerce of China and the provincial government of Guangdong Province and organised by China Foreign Trade Centre
The Autumn 2026 session (140th Fair) will run from October 15 to November 4, 2026:
- Phase 1 (October 15–19, 2026): Electronics, appliances, machinery, hardware, and vehicles.
- Phase 2 (October 23–27, 2026): Housewares, gifts, and decorations.
- Phase 3 (October 31 – November 4, 2026): Textiles, clothing, office supplies, food, and medical products.
China Import and Export Fair Complex, No. 382 Yuejiangzhong Road, Haizhu District, Guangzhou, China
How to Apply for China Business Visa
Getting a China Business Visa (M Visa) is one of those visas that travel agents in Nigeria exploit, asking you to bring N1.7 million or more, whereas between N170,000 to N200,000 (depending on visa type) will be enough to do the actual processing yourself.
Note: M Visa is issued to those who intend to go to China for commercial and trade activities.
The truth is you don’t need to pay unnecessary fees such as embassy assurance fee, connection fee and invitation letter fee which are usually charged by travel agents.
Required Documents for China Business Visa
- International passport (process this on the official portal of the Nigeria Immigration Service). Your passport must have at least 6 months of remaining validity and blank visa pages, along with a photocopy of the data page.
- Passport photograph (Take a standard and accepted photo using your phone). One recently-taken, 2-inch colour photo with a white background.
- Bank statement (Request for this from your bank), usually called proof of funds.
- Hotel booking (Book a hotel, depending on the region you are region you are visiting)
- Flight reservation (Do this yourself)
- Completed China visa application form
- Invitation Letter (Use your Canton Fair to get free invitation letter from China)
China embassy address in Nigeria:
Abuja: Abuja Service Centre is located at the Second Floor, Statement House, Plot 104, Cadastral Zone AO, Central Business District, Abuja
Lagos: Lagos Service Centre at the Second Floor, The Manor, Plot 110, Admiral Ayinla Way, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.
Acknowledgement: Dr. Ameen Amshi first made the guide available for public use in April 2026. This version has been revised for more details.
If you have questions, kindly drop them.
Tosin Opeyemi