The China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, announced on April 25 that its 139th session has opened with new initiatives aimed at improving the experience for international buyers. The event will run until May 5 and features a range of enhanced services designed to support efficient sourcing and foster long-term business relationships.
These upgrades matter as they address the growing demand for streamlined trade processes in one of the world’s largest trade fairs. By focusing on both digital tools and in-person assistance, the fair aims to meet the evolving needs of specialized buyers seeking reliability and continuity.
A key feature this year is the introduction of dedicated one-stop buyer service centers. Seven centers now cover all four exhibition areas, offering unified support throughout every stage of attendance—from pre-registration and badge collection to business matching, negotiations, and post-fair services. To further ease access for overseas visitors, organizers have set up 70 off-site service points with over 600 counters at airports, hotels, and other locations. Buyers can scan their passports to receive badges within about half a minute.
The fair has also launched a “Veteran Buyer Tag” program that automatically recognizes regular attendees. This system provides tailored benefits such as special vouchers and personalized product recommendations in an effort to reward loyalty and encourage deeper engagement with the event.
Digital enhancements include a new Canton Fair Newsletter distributed to more than 810,000 buyers for targeted communication. An upgraded mobile application supports users throughout their sourcing journey by enabling smoother transitions from discovery through negotiation.
At its core, organizers say these efforts reinforce the fair’s traditional role as a bridge between global demand and China’s manufacturing capabilities while adapting to modern business models. They hope these improvements will strengthen professionalism on site while supporting stable international trade partnerships into the future.
