Introduction
If this is your first time attending Canton Fair 2025, welcome — and prepare well.
With over 200,000 global buyers and more than 60,000 exhibitors, registration is not just a formality. One wrong document, one missed step, and you could lose a week of sourcing opportunities.
This guide by Vietnam Sourcing Co walks you through the exact steps, timelines, case studies, and real-world advice to help you register smoothly, get your visa approved, and enter the fair with confidence.
1. Who Needs to Register?
Everyone. All international buyers attending Canton Fair 2025 must register — whether you’re new or returning.
| Buyer Type | What You Need |
| New Buyer | Online registration + ID documents + invitation letter |
| Returning Buyer | Update online profile + reuse badge (if valid) or reapply |
📌 Tip: Don’t assume your last badge is valid — double check expiry and format.
2. Step-by-Step: How to Register
Step 1 – Create an Account
Go to the official Canton Fair portal:
👉 https://www.cantonfair.org.cn/en-US/register/index
Fill in the form with:
- Company name, country, contact info
- Business license or certificate (PDF)
- Passport (must match your name exactly)
- Digital ID photo (white background)
🕒 Processing time: 2–5 working days
3. Get Your Invitation Letter (For Visa)
Once approved, request your Invitation Letter from the portal. This includes:
- Your full name and passport number
- Dates of attendance
- Canton Fair’s official stamp (required for visa)
📌 You’ll need this for your visa application. Always print 2 copies.
4. Apply for Your Chinese Business Visa (Type M)
You’ll need to prepare:
- Passport (valid ≥6 months)
- Invitation letter from Canton Fair
- Visa application form
- Hotel + flight bookings (some consulates require these)
🔗 See embassy guide: Embassy of China Visa Info (U.S.)
🗓️ Apply at least 4 weeks before departure
5. Where and How to Pick Up Your Badge
You cannot enter the exhibition without your Buyer Badge.
✅ You can pick it up at:
- Canton Fair Complex (Zone A East Entrance)
- Appointed hotels (if you registered in advance)
Bring:
- Original passport
- Printed registration confirmation
- Business card
- Invitation letter (backup)
📌 Badge is valid across all 3 phases.
6. Timeline: 60-Day Checklist Before Canton Fair
| Days Before | Task |
| 60–45 | Register online & prepare passport documents |
| 45–30 | Apply for invitation letter & visa |
| 30–20 | Book hotel near fair (preferably Line 8 metro) |
| 15–10 | Confirm flight, download app, print layout map |
| 5–1 | Final doc check, badge pickup info ready |
7. Case Study: What Happens If You Delay?
A buyer from Germany applied for a visa only 12 days before the fair. They received their visa one day after their flight.
Vietnam Sourcing Co stepped in, rebooked flights + hotel, helped retrieve invitation letters from fair authority, and secured express pickup for the badge.
🎯 Lesson: Start early. Don’t DIY everything if you’re short on time.
8. Common Mistakes First-Time Buyers Make
❌ Not registering with a business email
❌ Uploading mismatched passport info
❌ Forgetting to print the invitation letter
❌ Arriving without business cards
❌ Assuming badge = visa (they are totally separate)
9. Pro Tips From Vietnam Sourcing Co
✅ Use hotel with badge pickup
✅ Apply for visa from embassy with fastest turnaround
✅ Arrive at least 1 day before your Phase starts
✅ Use Vietnam Sourcing Co’s support if you’re traveling in a group
10. Conclusion: Registration is Easy — If You Prepare Right
Getting into Canton Fair 2025 is simple — if you follow the system.
Let Vietnam Sourcing Co help you:
- Register online without errors
- Handle visa + badge logistics
- Get onsite support in Guangzhou from Day 1
📩 Visit vietnamsourcing.co to request full checklist PDF and get help planning your fair journey.
🔗 Or head back to our Canton Fair 2025 Main Guide
