The Canton Fair Is Coming
The Canton Fair is coming. The 140th session opens in October 2026. It runs from October 15 to November 4.
The location is Guangzhou. The fair has three phases. This year is special. It is the 70th anniversary. The fair started in 1957.
The Canton Fair is China’s largest trade event. People call it “China’s No. 1 Exhibition.” They also call it the “barometer” of China’s foreign trade. The 139th session drew 314,000 overseas buyers.
They came from 220 countries and regions. This year, over 200,000 buyers have already pre-registered.
If you plan to attend, this guide will help you. I will cover the schedule. I will cover registration. I will cover transport. I will cover what to see. I will also share updates on China’s perforated metal industry. That is our field. At the end, I will answer common questions. Xiongqian is here to help you along the way.
Fair Schedule and Phases
The 140th Canton Fair has three phases. Each phase focuses on different products. Here is the breakdown:
| Phase | Dates | Theme | Main Exhibits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | October 15–19, 2026 | Advanced Manufacturing | Electronics, home appliances, lighting, hardware, tools, machinery, auto parts, new energy vehicles |
| Phase 2 | October 23–27, 2026 | Quality Home | Building materials, furniture, kitchenware, home decor, gifts, garden products |
| Phase 3 | October 31 – November 4, 2026 | Better Life | Textiles, shoes, sports goods, food, medical devices, health products |
The fair opens daily at 9:30. It closes at 18:00. There are two break periods. The first is October 20–22. The second is October 28–30.
Are you in the metal business? Are you in the hardware business? Phase 1 is the most important for you. Hardware and tools are in Phase 1. Building materials are in Phase 2. Decorative materials are also in Phase 2.
What's New at the 140th Canton Fair?
This year’s fair has new features. The Ministry of Commerce reported them. CCTV News also reported them.
First, the fair is bigger. Over 32,000 companies are exhibiting. More than 11,000 are “specialized, refined, distinctive, and innovative” enterprises. About 64% of exhibitors use new technologies. They use industrial internet. They use AI.
Second, there are more new products. New products are 23.2% of exhibits. Green products are 26%. Both are record highs.
Third, the fair is smarter. The organizers rolled out 22 smart application scenarios. They also rolled out 16 AI features. The highlight is the indoor navigation system. It uses real-scene maps. Its accuracy is down to 1 meter. This is the first time it covers the entire venue. There is also an AI assistant. It is called ASKME. It helps buyers find suppliers. It helps them communicate online.
Fourth, there are more events. Over 700 new product launch events are planned. That is a 15% increase from last time. The fair has a dedicated new product display area. This is the first time.
How to Register
The Canton Fair made registration easier this year. For the first time, the overseas buyer pre-registration channel is open all year. You can register anytime. You can use the official website. You can also use the Canton Fair App.
The process has three steps.
If you are a new buyer (never attended offline):
Register.
Fill out the pre-registration questionnaire.
Apply for your badge.
If you are a returning buyer (attended before):
Log in.
Confirm your personal and company information.
Fill out the pre-registration questionnaire.
After you pre-register, you can pick up your badge. You can pick it up at the venue. You can pick it up at the airport. You can pick it up at hotel registration points. The Canton Fair says the process takes about 30 seconds. That is if you pre-registered.
Pre-registered buyers get perks. They get a badge. They get a first-day cover gift. They also get priority access to matchmaking events. They get trade services information.
Getting to the Venue
The Canton Fair Complex is in Pazhou, Guangzhou. The address is 382 Yuejiang Middle Road.
By metro: There are two main metro stations. One is Pazhou Station. The other is Xingangdong Station. Both are on Line 8. Pazhou Station is also on Line 11. It is also on the intercity rail line.
Here is which station to use for each area:
| Area | Metro Station | Exit |
|---|---|---|
| Area A and D | Xingangdong Station | Exit A |
| Area B | Pazhou Station | Exits A/B (Line 8) or E/F (Line 11) |
| Area C | Pazhou Station | Exit C |
The four areas are connected inside. You can walk between them. Guangzhou Metro runs a special timetable during the fair. More trains are added on Lines 4 and 8.
By taxi or ride-hailing: There is a designated pick-up and drop-off point. It is at the junction of Zhanchang Middle Road and Zhanchang South Road.
By airport: Baiyun International Airport has a dedicated Canton Fair channel. There are also direct bus lines. They go from the airport to the complex.
Important tip: Parking is limited near the venue. Traffic control is in place around the complex. The metro is the best way to get there.
What to Expect Inside the Venue
The venue is huge. The exhibition area is about 1.55 million square meters. You will walk a lot. Here is what to expect.
Navigation: The new indoor navigation system is a big help. It covers the entire venue. Its accuracy is 1 meter. You can use it to find booths. You can find restaurants. You can find exits. The Canton Fair App has this feature built in.
Product zones: Phase 1 has hardware, tools, and machinery. This is where you find metal products. This includes perforated metal mesh. Phase 2 has building materials and home decor. If you source perforated aluminum sheet for construction, check both phases.
Matchmaking events: The fair organizes matchmaking sessions. These sessions connect buyers with suppliers. They connect based on needs. You can sign up through the app. Pre-registered buyers get priority access.
New product launches: Over 700 new product launch events are scheduled. These are good places to see the latest technology. They are good places to see new designs. You should check the schedule in the app.
A Look at China's Perforated Metal Industry
The Canton Fair is a good place to see China’s manufacturing sector. For our industry, there are clear trends. These trends matter if you source perforated metal.
Export Growth Is Strong
Anping is a major wire mesh production base. It is in Hebei Province. Hebei Daily reported the export numbers. In the first four months of 2026, Anping’s exports grew by 33.7%. Total export value reached 2.27 billion yuan. The average monthly export value was about 570 million yuan. Last year, it was about 420 million yuan per month.
Three product categories drove most of this growth. Perforated metal sheet was one of them. The others were heavy steel grating. And high-mesh stainless steel wire mesh. These three categories share one thing. They have higher added value than traditional welded mesh. They have higher added value than fence mesh.
The growth of perforated aluminum sheet came mainly from building facade projects. These projects are in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. These regions are building many commercial complexes. They are building many office buildings. Designers there choose perforated aluminum sheet for facades. They choose it instead of traditional glass and stone. Aluminum perforated panels have natural advantages. They are light. They are corrosion-resistant. They are easy to install.
The Industry Is Moving Up the Value Chain
Anping’s perforated metal industry is not just growing in volume. It is also improving in quality. People’s Daily reported the numbers. Anping now has over 16,000 wire mesh enterprises. The product qualification rate rose from 95% to over 99%. In 2025, the industrial cluster output value reached 115.1 billion yuan.
Several things are driving this change. First, equipment upgrades. Many factories now use CNC punch presses. They use automated welding lines. They use online inspection equipment. This improves precision. It improves consistency. Second, international certifications. More companies have ISO 9001. They have CE. They have SGS certifications. This allows them to enter new markets.
There is also a technology breakthrough. The Hebei Provincial Department of Industry and Information Technology reported it. Anping companies have achieved mass production of 480-mesh/11-micron stainless steel wire mesh. An 11-micron wire is thinner than a human hair. This product was previously imported. Now it can be mass-produced in Anping. Applications include precision filtration. They include electronics manufacturing. They include aerospace.
New Energy Vehicles Are the Fastest-Growing Segment
The new energy vehicle sector is the biggest opportunity. It is the biggest opportunity in the perforated metal industry right now. A 2026 report from GEP Research says the global perforated metal market will reach $48.76 billion in 2026. That is a 7.8% increase from 2025. The three main drivers are new energy vehicle lightweight structural parts. They are precision electronic shielding. They are building metal curtain walls.
The EV battery cooling segment is growing especially fast. A 2026 report from Sohu Auto says perforated metal mesh purchases jumped 68.3% year on year. These purchases are for battery cooling modules. This segment now accounts for over 22% of all new orders.
Why is this happening? Battery thermal management directly affects EV safety. It affects range. It affects cycle life. Heat cannot escape during charging. It cannot escape during discharging. This can cause performance loss. It can even cause fire. Perforated metal mesh is used in cooling air ducts. It is used in explosion-proof ventilation screens. It is used in liquid cooling separators inside battery packs.
The precision requirements are much higher. They are higher than traditional perforated metal. Traditional products allow a hole tolerance of ±0.5 mm. EV battery cooling screens require a tolerance of ±0.05 mm. Edge burrs must be below Ra≤0.8μm. The material must be 304 or 316 stainless steel. It must have passivation treatment.
This precision jump changed the value proposition. Traditional perforated metal for construction fencing sells for a few thousand yuan per ton. EV battery cooling perforated metal is sold by the piece. Each piece is worth 5 to 10 times more. The deburring process alone accounts for over 30% of total processing costs. This is the key barrier. It separates “can do” from “can do well.”
Building and Architecture: Still the Biggest Market
Construction is still the largest user of perforated metal. In China, the architectural aluminum panel market exceeded 38 billion yuan in 2026. Perforated aluminum sheet accounts for over 35% of that market.
In China, perforated aluminum sheet costs about 150 to 300 yuan per square meter. Glass facades cost 500 to 1,000 yuan. The cost advantage is huge.
Demand is especially strong in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Commercial complexes are driving demand. Transportation hubs are driving demand. Sports venues are driving demand. They need perforated aluminum sheet for curtain walls. They need decorative interior panels. Large infrastructure projects are driving demand. Saudi Arabia’s “Vision 2030” is one example. It needs perforated aluminum sheet for facades. It needs decorative panels.
Filtration and Environmental Protection
Water treatment systems use perforated metal mesh. Air filtration systems use it too. In 2025, the filtration segment contributed about $680 million globally. Some forecasts say this could double by 2030. Food and pharmaceutical industries are also driving demand. Stainless steel fine mesh screens are seeing growth. It is about 12% year over year.
Micro-perforated steel mesh is one of the fastest-growing categories. It has a short pitch SWD < 10mm. These products are used in air filter frames. They are used in water treatment filter supports. They are used in automotive air filter liners.
What This Means for Buyers
If you source perforated metal at the Canton Fair, look for these things.
Quality certifications matter. You should look for ISO 9001. You should look for other industry standards. Many Chinese factories now have these certifications. They are a sign of consistent quality.
Precision capabilities are improving. Chinese manufacturers can now produce high-precision products. They do not just make standard sheets. If you need tight tolerances, ask about their CNC punching. Ask about their laser cutting capabilities.
Lead times are getting shorter. Many factories in Anping can deliver within 2 to 4 weeks. Capacity has expanded. This is a good time to negotiate delivery schedules.
Green production is becoming important. The EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) now covers steel and aluminum products. Chinese exporters need to report their carbon emissions. Some factories are investing in cleaner production methods. If you export to Europe, ask about their carbon footprint.
When you look for perforated metal sheet suppliers, you should make sure they can meet your technical requirements. Xiongqian is one of those suppliers.
Practical Tips for Buyers
Before the Fair
Pre-register online. This saves time at the venue. The pre-registration channel is open all year.
Download the Canton Fair App. It has maps. It has exhibitor lists. It has navigation. It has scheduling tools. The AI assistant ASKME can help you find perforated metal sheet suppliers.
Plan your route. You should check which phase has the products you need. If you source metal products, focus on Phase 1 and Phase 2.
Book your hotel early. October is a busy month in Guangzhou. Many hotels near the venue fill up fast.
Prepare your questions. You should write down what you need to know. This helps you compare suppliers quickly.
At the Fair
Wear comfortable shoes. The venue is huge. You will walk a lot.
Bring business cards. You will need them for networking.
Use the navigation system. It can help you find booths quickly. It is accurate.
Take notes. You will see many suppliers. You should record what you see. You should record what you discussed.
Visit the new product launch area. This is where you see the latest designs. You see the latest technologies.
Ask about certifications and testing. Quality documents matter. You should ask for ISO certificates. You should ask for test reports.
After the Fair
Follow up within 48 hours. You should send a quick email to the suppliers you liked. You should remind them what you discussed.
Request samples. This helps you compare quality directly.
Ask about certifications. You should make sure the factory meets your standards. ISO 9001 is a good start.
Negotiate prices and delivery. Capacity has expanded. This gives you room to negotiate.
Consider a factory visit. If you are serious about a supplier, you should visit their factory. Seeing the production line tells you a lot.
FAQ
Q: When is the 140th Canton Fair?
A: The 140th Canton Fair runs from October 15 to November 4, 2026. It is in Guangzhou. It has three phases. Phase 1 runs October 15–19. Phase 2 runs October 23–27. Phase 3 runs October 31–November 4. Phase 1 theme is “Advanced Manufacturing.” Phase 2 theme is “Quality Home.” Phase 3 theme is “Better Life.”
Q: How do I register for the Canton Fair?
A: You need to pre-register online. The process has three steps. You register or log in. You confirm your information. You fill out the questionnaire. The pre-registration channel is open all year. You can use the official website. You can use the Canton Fair App. Once you register, you can pick up your badge at the venue. You can also pick it up at the airport or hotel. The process takes about 30 seconds if you pre-registered.
Q: Which phase should I attend for hardware and metal products?
A: Phase 1 is the best. It covers hardware, tools, machinery, and building materials. Phase 2 covers building and decorative materials. If you source perforated aluminum sheet for construction, you should check both phases. Phase 1 is the most important for metal products and tools.
Q: How do I get to the Canton Fair Complex?
A: The venue is in Pazhou, Guangzhou. You can take Metro Line 8 to Pazhou Station. Or you can take it to Xingangdong Station. Pazhou Station is also on Line 11. The metro connects directly to the complex. There are also airport buses. There are taxi services. A new navigation system inside the venue helps you find your way. Parking is limited. The metro is the best choice.
Q: Is the Canton Fair open to all international buyers?
A: Yes. The fair is open to international buyers from any country. You need to pre-register. You should bring your passport. You should bring your business credentials. Pre-registration is required for all attendees. The pre-registration channel is open all year this year.
Q: What should I know about China’s perforated metal industry before I visit?
A: China is the world’s largest producer of perforated metal. Anping in Hebei Province is a major production base. In 2026, Anping exports grew by 33.7% in the first four months. Perforated metal sheet was one of the top growth categories. Many manufacturers now offer high-precision products. They serve automotive and construction applications. Quality certifications like ISO 9001 are common. The EV battery cooling segment is growing fast. Demand is up 68.3% in 2026. This is a good time to source perforated metal mesh from China.
Q: What are the biggest trends in the perforated metal industry right now?
A: The biggest trends are: (1) New energy vehicles drive demand for high-precision perforated metal mesh. This is especially for battery cooling. (2) Building facades in the Middle East and Southeast Asia drive demand for perforated aluminum sheet. (3) The industry is moving up the value chain. More manufacturers offer high-precision products and certifications. (4) Green production is becoming more important. This is due to EU carbon rules.
Conclusion
The 140th Canton Fair is a major opportunity. It is a major opportunity for international buyers. The fair is bigger than ever. It has new digital tools. It has more exhibitors. It has more product launches. The 70th anniversary makes this a special event.
For buyers in the metal and hardware sectors, Phase 1 and Phase 2 are the most relevant. You should pre-register early. You should plan your route. You should use the navigation system. You should follow up with suppliers after the fair.
China’s perforated metal industry is also worth watching. Exports are growing. Quality is improving. The industry is moving up the value chain. The EV battery cooling segment is growing fast. The Canton Fair is the best place to see this firsthand.
If you are looking for reliable perforated metal sheet suppliers, Xiongqian will be at the fair. We have been making perforated aluminum sheet and perforated metal mesh since 2012. We focus on quality. We focus on delivery. We focus on service. Our products are used in construction. They are used in automotive. They are used in filtration. They are used in interior design. We work with international buyers. We understand their requirements.
Feel free to reach out before the fair. We would be happy to meet you in Guangzhou. Let’s talk about how we can support your projects. Xiongqian is ready to help.
