The 138th Canton Fair kicked off in Guangzhou on October 15. This video will break down the buyer ID badge application process to help you seize trade opportunities.
Before arriving in Guangzhou, overseas buyers can fill in the pre-registration information to obtain a receipt. This receipt acts as a "fast pass" for ID badge collection, allowing you to skip long queues at the on-site registration offices.
Photo: Pan Jiajun
Collect your ID badge outside the Canton Fair Complex
With your pre-registration receipt, original valid ID (e.g., foreign passport, Mainland Travel Permits for Hong Kong and Macao residents, or Mainland Travel Permits for Taiwan residents), and a business card, you can collect your buyer ID badge at several convenient locations before reaching the main venue.
Photo: Pan Jiajun
At Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, there are two Canton Fair registration offices: Exit A7 at International Arrivals of Terminal 1 and a temporary counter at International Arrivals of Terminal 2. These offices are open daily from 08:00 to 24:00 from October 12 to November 1. Night service runs from 00:00 to 08:00 (the next day) on October 14-15, 22-23, and 30-31.
Additional registration points are available at Guangzhou South Railway Station, the Pazhou-Hong Kong-Macao Passenger Ferry Terminal, the Canton Fair Hong Kong Office, and 60 designated hotels.
Photo: Canton Fair
At the Canton Fair Complex
The Canton Fair Complex also offers convenient self-service machines and manual counters for ID badge applications, catering to all categories of overseas buyers. For overseas Chinese buyers holding a Chinese passport along with an original overseas permanent residence permit or visa, please go directly to the on-site registration office at the Canton Fair Complex.
Photo: Pan Jiajun
ID badge centers are located in Areas B, C, and D for new badge applications and the replacement of old ones. The closest metro station exits are Exits A and B of Pazhou Station on Line 8 or Exit F of Line 11, Exit C at Pazhou Station on Line 8, and Exit A of Xingangdong Station on Line 8, respectively.
Photo: Canton Fair
Security check tip
For a smooth security check, travel light and avoid large suitcases. Remember, flammables, explosives, knives, and drones are prohibited.
Photo: Pan Jiajun
As the 138th Canton Fair kicks off, Guangzhou is rolling out exclusive shopping discounts and instant tax refund services across the city. It's shopping time!
Canton Fair Complex (广交会场馆内)
For the first time, a Tax Refund Zone has been set up inside the venue, offering "instant tax refund" services for overseas buyers.
Buyers must meet three requirements: be eligible for a tax refund, have obtained a VAT invoice and refund form, and provide credit card pre-authorization. They can then receive up to 9% tax back on the spot.
Location: Glass House, East of Central Platform (near Area B), Canton Fair Complex
cdf Guangzhou Downtown Duty-Free Shop (广州市内免税店)
From now until November 30, customers can enjoy the following benefits: 20% OFF on a wide range of duty-free items; 10% OFF on duty-free electronics; blockbuster deals with discounts of up to 48% OFF on selected popular items. Customers can enjoy an additional discount of up to 100 yuan when paying with Alipay+.
Present a valid Canton Fair exhibitor ID badge to receive a complimentary "Guangzhou-style Traditional Gift." The shop also actively promotes the "instant tax refund" policy and provides English shopping guides and foreign currency exchange services.
More details:
Guide to shopping at Guangzhou's first downtown duty-free store
Guangzhou downtown duty free shop
Location: 1F, Guangzhou Friendship Store (International Finance Center), 5 Zhujiang West Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou
Parc Central (天环Parc Central)
Show your Canton Fair ID badge at the B2 Concierge to unlock a VIP card, a free one-day metro pass, and shopping or dining vouchers.
Tax refunds can be processed at the B3 refund point, which offers a 50 yuan dining voucher for successful refunds. Over 40 refund-partner stores, including DJI, Gentle Monster, and Anine Bing, are participating.
More details: One-Stop Tax Refund: How to claim purchases from 600+ Guangzhou stores in minutes
Location: No.218 Tianhe Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou
Teem Mall (天河城)
From October 12 to November 9, customers can claim an 80 yuan coupon with the certificate of the 138th Canton Fair at the service center, which can be used for a single purchase of over 600 yuan. Specific credit card discounts are available at the same time.
Departing passengers who purchase tax-refunded goods may apply for a tax refund with invoices at the customer service center.
Location: No.208 Tianhe Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou
Guangbuy Department Store Tianhe Zhongyi Branch (广百百货天河中怡店)
Present your ID badge at the Service Desk on the 5th Floor to receive a Guangzhou-themed gift and claim a 100 yuan coupon. Enjoy an immediate 100 yuan discount for purchases of department store items totaling 1000 yuan or more after discounts.
Location: Tianhe Zhongyi Branch, No.200 Tianhe Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou
(Photo: Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport)
As the 138th China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair) opens on October 15, Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport is rolling out a series of upgraded services to support the influx of domestic and overseas exhibitors. The airport has closely coordinated with the fair organizers to provide integrated facilities, including dedicated transport links, on-site check-in counters, and multilingual assistance.
Dedicated Canton Fair Channels and Hotline
During the fair, the airport will operate special security and check-in lanes for exhibitors and buyers. Additional multilingual volunteers have been deployed to assist incoming international visitors with customs procedures and information. A new Canton Fair hotline service (dial 020-96158, press 7) offers one-stop answers to travel-related queries, including flight schedules, ticketing, and airport transfers.
To facilitate exhibitors carrying special display items, the airport has introduced one-stop services at select security checkpoints, offering on-site storage, postal, and shipping assistance for restricted items.
(Photo: Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport)
On-Site Registration at the Airport
International buyers arriving in Guangzhou can now register for their Canton Fair passes directly at the airport free of charge. Registration counters are located at Terminal 1 (Gate A7), Terminal 2 (International Arrivals, Level 1), and the Pullman Hotel (West Wing, Level 2).
Airport Services Extended to the Exhibition Venue
Two service counters have been set up inside the Canton Fair complex — at Exhibition Hall B-2 and Exhibition Hall A 5-1. Staff from 11 airlines, including China Southern, Air China, China Eastern, Shenzhen Airlines, and Ethiopian Airlines, are offering on-site check-in, baggage through-services, ticket inquiries, and VIP assistance. Airlines are also promoting special offers such as extra baggage allowances and cultural gifts.
(Photo: Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport)
Direct Airport Shuttle to Canton Fair
To ensure smooth travel, the airport's express bus line will operate between the airport and the Canton Fair Complex throughout the three exhibition phases (Oct 15–19, Oct 23–27, and Oct 31–Nov 4). Buses will run from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. from the airport and 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. from the fairgrounds, with additional departures when demand surges. Fares are set at 35 yuan per person with valid Canton Fair credentials.
Airport Catering at the Fairgrounds
The airport's in-house catering company is also participating in this year's fair, introducing a range of halal and regional dishes at food stalls in Halls B and C. The menu features over 20 meal options—from Malaysian-style halal dishes to classic Cantonese and Sichuan cuisine.
Source | South
