The Canton Fair isn’t just another trade show—it’s the world’s largest trade exhibition, and it can be completely overwhelming. With over 25,000 exhibitors spread across three phases, knowing where to start is half the battle.
The Canton Fair isn’t just another trade show—it’s the world’s largest trade exhibition, and it can be completely overwhelming. With over 25,000 exhibitors spread across three phases, knowing where to start is half the battle.
We just got back from the Canton Fair 2025, and honestly? It reinforced everything we already knew: having the right support makes or breaks your experience.
Dom (our Product Manager) and Thang (Project Coordinator) travelled from our New Zealand office to experience this year’s Fair firsthand. Walking those massive exhibition halls with our China-based sourcing team, they saw exactly how our personalized approach transforms what could be an exhausting few days into a strategic business mission.
As Dom put it: “You could easily spend three days wandering around the Canton Fair and still achieve nothing because of how big and overwhelming it is. Our team already knew which halls to hit, which booths were worth the time, and what questions would separate the good suppliers from the average ones.”
Here’s the thing about the Canton Fair: it’s not about seeing everything. It’s about seeing the right things. That’s where our China team comes in.
Before You Even Land: Strategic Planning
We start working on your Canton Fair plan weeks before you arrive:
Thang noticed this during the planning phase: “Our team had already mapped out a strategic route through the Fair based on the client’s specific needs. No wasted time, no random wandering. Every booth we visited was pre-selected for a reason.”
Anyone can rent a booth at the Canton Fair and hand out glossy brochures. Our team helps you figure out who's legit:
Dom saw this in action: "There were a couple of suppliers who looked perfect on the surface, great booth, professional presentation, competitive pricing. Our team dug into their background and found red flags we would've completely missed. That due diligence saved us from what could've been a costly mistake."
Your Epic experience starts the second you clear customs. Our optional airport pickup service (at an additional cost) means you're met by our team, and everything's handled from there.
Thang learned this the hard way during one leg of the trip: "I tried using the DiDi app to get around on my own one evening. Even though it seemed simple enough, when the driver arrived, we literally couldn't communicate at all. He didn't speak English, I don't speak Mandarin, and the app's translation feature wasn't cutting it. We spent five minutes trying to confirm where I was actually going. It was frustrating and, honestly, a bit stressful after a long day."
He continued: "That's when it really hit me why our airport pickup service matters so much. When you land after a long international flight, the last thing you want is that kind of stress. Our team meets you at arrivals, handles your luggage, gets you sorted, and ensures you arrive at your destination. No language barriers, no confusion, no wasted time trying to explain addresses through translation apps. You're taken care of from minute one."
No fumbling with directions. No pantomiming to taxi drivers. No wondering if you're headed to the right hotel. Enjoy a smooth, stress-free arrival so you can focus on what you're actually there for—doing business.
The Canton Fair is massive, with 1.2 million square meters across multiple exhibition halls. Our team doesn’t just translate; we strategize in real-time:
Dom saw this flexibility in action: “We stumbled across a product category we hadn’t originally planned for, but it was perfect for one of our clients back home. Within an hour, our team had identified the top three suppliers in that space and arranged meetings. That kind of agility is impossible to do on your own.”
Meeting suppliers at their booth is just the start. Want to really know who you're dealing with? Request factory visits in advance, and we'll arrange them for you.
The Canton Fair happens in Guangzhou, and many factories are within a few hours' drive. If you let us know ahead of time which suppliers you're most interested in, we can coordinate factory tours during your trip:
As Thang put it: "The difference between seeing a supplier's booth and seeing their actual factory is night and day. One client requested factory visits for their top three potential suppliers. By the end of those visits, the ranking had completely flipped based on what we saw on the production floor versus what was promised at the Fair."
Important: Factory visits must be arranged in advance to ensure coordination of schedules, transportation, and interpreter availability. Please let us know during the planning phase which suppliers you would like to visit.
Language barriers aren’t just about vocabulary; it’s about business context. Our bilingual team:
As Thang observed: “Watching our team negotiate was like seeing a completely different conversation than what I would’ve managed with Google Translate. They understood the cultural context, knew when to push and when to back off, and built rapport in ways that just aren’t possible without that local expertise.”
Stop wasting meetings with suppliers who can’t actually deliver what you need. We connect you with manufacturers who match your requirements from day one.
No aimless wandering. We’ve researched, vetted, and mapped out an efficient route that uses every hour productively.
Visa support, WeChat setup, payment solutions, domestic travel, all handled. You focus on business decisions, not logistics.
Our network and local knowledge help you find reliable long-term partners, not just suppliers chasing quick sales.
Real feedback from Aussie businesses we’ve helped:
“My support person, Krystal, was outstanding in helping me navigate my first Canton Fair. She understood my product and business, and came well-prepared with a list of suppliers and booths that could meet my needs. So well prepared that every conversation we had was successful. I can’t recommend her and the business enough.”
- John Gouskos, Founder of Ballon Football
“Our recent business trip to China was an incredible success thanks to Epic Sourcing and their exceptional team. From start to finish, they provided a seamless experience — managing all communications with suppliers and vendors, coordinating schedules, and ensuring every meeting aligned with our business goals. A special mention goes to Krystal, our guide at the Canton Fair. She was absolutely amazing — professional, friendly, and incredibly knowledgeable. Krystal went above and beyond to understand our vision, source the right suppliers, and organise meetings that perfectly matched our goals.
⭐ Five stars isn’t enough – they deserve ten! ⭐.”- Mitchell Haden, Entrepreneur, EnviroVend
Want even more insider tips? We've put together a comprehensive guide covering everything from visa applications to accommodation recommendations, payment solutions, essential apps, trend spotting, and how to make the most of every minute at the Fair.
Download The Epic Canton Fair 2025 Playbook - Your complete pre-fair planning resource with tips on visas, accommodation, money matters, essential apps, and strategies for making the most of your Canton Fair experience.
Epic Sourcing - Crush it at Canton 2026 with Epic by your side.
Do you have questions about the Canton Fair or our services? Get in touch and let’s discuss how to make your next trip count.
