What to Pack for the Canton Fair: Essential Checklist

Documents first

• Passport and China visa, plus a photocopy kept separately from the original.
• Canton Fair buyer badge or registration confirmation, printed and saved on your phone.
• Printed hotel and flight confirmations, along with your delegation itinerary if you are travelling with a group.
• Business insurance or travel insurance documents, especially if you are carrying samples or valuable equipment.

On the floor

• Plenty of business cards, more than you think you need since you will meet dozens of suppliers each day.
• A power bank and the right plug adapter, since your phone will be your camera, translator and notebook all day.
• A notebook or phone app to record quotes and booth numbers, ideally with photos linked to each entry.
• Very comfortable, broken in shoes. The halls are enormous and delegates routinely walk several kilometres a day.
• A compact folder or bag for the catalogues, samples and brochures suppliers hand you throughout the day.

Comfort and weather

Guangzhou in October and November is generally warm and humid during the day, cooling slightly in the evenings, so pack light, breathable, professional clothing rather than heavy formal suits. A light jacket for air conditioned halls and evening transfers is useful, and comfortable layers let you adjust through a long day that starts in a warm hotel lobby and ends in a chilly conference room.

Electronics and plug types

China commonly uses type A, C and I electrical sockets, which differ from Indian sockets, so a universal travel adapter is essential rather than optional. Carry your phone charger, a spare charging cable, and a compact power bank, since constant use of maps, translation apps and your camera for booth photos drains a phone battery quickly across a long fair day. If you plan to use a laptop for reviewing quotes or catalogues in the evening, confirm your charger supports the local voltage, which is typically 220V.

Money and payments

Carry a modest amount of RMB cash alongside an internationally enabled card, since many small vendors, food stalls and local taxis prefer cash or mobile payment apps over foreign cards. Notify your bank before travelling so international transactions are not flagged or blocked, and keep a small emergency cash reserve separate from your main wallet in case of a lost card or phone.

A day by day packing checklist

The night before each fair day, lay out your badge, business cards, notebook, charged power bank and comfortable shoes so mornings move quickly. Pack a slim daytime bag rather than a large one, since you will be adding catalogues and samples throughout the day and do not want to start already full. If you plan to ship samples home rather than carry them, keep a small roll of packing tape and a permanent marker handy for labelling boxes at your hotel before a courier pickup. For the fuller pre-trip checklist beyond packing, see our complete Canton Fair preparation checklist, and once you land, our guide to navigating the fair without getting lost will help you put these essentials to use.

A basic travel medicine kit

Pack a small kit with any personal medication, basic pain relief, motion sickness tablets if needed, and rehydration sachets, since a long day of walking in warm, humid weather can catch travellers off guard. Carry any prescription medication in its original packaging along with a copy of the prescription, which simplifies things if you are ever asked about it at customs.

A quick final check before you leave the hotel

Before heading out each morning, do a thirty second check: badge, phone with charger, business cards, notebook, and comfortable shoes on your feet rather than in your bag. This small habit prevents the single most common mishap we see among first time delegates, realising an hour into the fair that the badge or power bank was left back at the hotel, which then costs a return trip and a chunk of valuable meeting time.

Frequently asked questions

What should I pack for the Canton Fair?

Passport, buyer badge, business cards, comfortable shoes, a power bank and adapter, and something to record quotes.

What is the most forgotten item?

Comfortable shoes and a power bank. You will walk for hours and use your phone constantly.

What plug adapter do I need for China?

China commonly uses type A, C and I sockets. A universal travel adapter covers all three and is worth carrying along with a power bank.

Should I carry cash in RMB?

Yes, a modest amount. Many small vendors and food stalls prefer cash or local mobile payment apps over international cards.

Related Canton Fair guides

• How to Prepare for the Canton Fair: Complete Checklist
• Do I Need an Invitation Letter to Attend the Canton Fair?
• Canton Fair Visa Requirements for Indian Visitors

Back to all Canton Fair guides