The 140th Canton Fair runs in Guangzhou from October 15 to November 4. About 30 minutes from Pazhou under normal traffic, TOMAS has a showroom where buyers can compare products, materials, logo methods, and packaging, with complimentary round-trip transport. This Canton Fair guide explains which phase to attend, how to register, and how to use the phase gaps.
Quick Canton Fair and TOMAS Visit Information
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Canton Fair dates | Phase 1: October 15–19; Phase 2: October 23–27; Phase 3: October 31–November 4, 2026 |
| Venue | Canton Fair Complex, 382 Yuejiang Zhong Road, Haizhu District, Guangzhou |
| Best phases for promotional gifts | Phase 2 for gifts and drinkware; Phase 3 for apparel, bags, and office supplies |
| TOMAS booth | TOMAS does not have a booth at the Canton Fair |
| Showroom visits | Available from October 15 to November 4 |
| Travel and pickup | About 30 minutes from Pazhou under normal traffic, with complimentary round-trip private transport |
| Appointment | No formal appointment required; message TOMAS to arrange pickup or request specific samples |
| Contact | Judy Luzhao, WhatsApp/WeChat: +86 134 2768 5652 |
Canton Fair Dates, Location, and Phases
The Canton Fair is officially called the China Import and Export Fair. Organized by the China Foreign Trade Centre, it is held in Guangzhou every spring and autumn and attracts overseas buyers across many industries.
The event takes place at the Canton Fair Complex in Pazhou. Metro Line 8 serves Pazhou Station and Xingangdong Station. The official Canton Fair Attendance Guide provides additional transport and on-site information.
According to the official 140th Canton Fair schedule, the autumn exhibition is divided into three phases:
| Canton Fair phase | Dates | Relevant categories |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | October 15–19 | Electronics, lighting, tools, machinery, vehicles, and new energy |
| Phase 2 | October 23–27 | Gifts and premiums, festival products, drinkware, household items, ceramics, and home decoration |
| Phase 3 | October 31–November 4 | Apparel, sportswear, bags, office supplies, textiles, and sports products |
Phase 2 is usually the best starting point for promotional gift buyers. It covers general gifts, drinkware, seasonal products, and many items used in corporate appreciation programs.
Phase 3 is important when a project also requires T-shirts, polo shirts, hats, tote bags, backpacks, notebooks, or pens. Buyers building complete gift sets may therefore need products from both Canton Fair phases.
Phase 1 is less relevant to general promotional merchandise, but it may help buyers sourcing electronic gifts, charging accessories, or technology-related event products.
Canton Fair Registration, Buyer Badge, and Invitation
Overseas buyers should register before travelling. The official Canton Fair Buyer Service System supports pre-registration, overseas buyer badge applications, and Canton Fair invitation requests.
First-time visitors should allow time for application review and badge collection. Returning buyers should check whether their existing badge and account information remain valid.
A Canton Fair invitation may support a visa application, but it does not guarantee approval. Confirm current entry requirements with the relevant Chinese embassy, consulate, or immigration authority before booking travel.
What Promotional Gift Buyers Should Prepare
A short sourcing brief makes supplier comparisons more accurate. Give each supplier the same requirements instead of comparing products only by appearance or headline price.
Prepare these six items:
- Project and recipient: Explain whether the products are for employees, clients, event visitors, sports participants, or campaign volunteers.
- Quantity and budget: Give a realistic quantity range and target quality or budget level.
- Deadline and destination: State the required arrival date, country, and whether goods will ship to one or several addresses.
- Product specification: Include preferred materials, dimensions, colors, functions, and packaging.
- Brand files: Bring an AI, EPS, SVG, or editable PDF logo together with Pantone colors and approved fonts.
- Distribution plan: Explain whether products will be packed in bulk, individually, as gift sets, or by destination.
Use the same specification when comparing quotations. Two similar tumblers may use different steel grades, while two similar bags may use different fabric weights, handles, or stitching.
Photograph each product together with its label or supplier card. Record the material, size, decoration method, sample policy, packaging, and quoted trade term before moving to the next booth.
Use the Three-Day Gaps for Supplier Visits
The Canton Fair phases are separated by two gaps: October 20–22 and October 28–30. These dates are used for booth dismantling and setup, so buyers cannot visit the next exhibition phase during the gap.
For promotional gift buyers, the gaps create useful supplier-visit windows. A buyer attending Phase 2 can use October 28–30 to compare apparel, bags, office products, logo methods, and packaging before Phase 3 begins.
TOMAS can also receive buyers during active Canton Fair dates. If your exhibition schedule is full, arrange a visit around your preferred pickup time and other supplier meetings.
Why Visit TOMAS During the Canton Fair?
The Canton Fair is useful for discovering products, but booth time is limited. Products for one promotional program may also be divided between different halls and phases.
At the TOMAS Guangzhou showroom, buyers can compare related products in one location. The visit is designed as a working sourcing session where buyers can review available samples, rule out unsuitable options, and define clearer requirements for quotations or custom samples.
TOMAS does not have a Canton Fair booth. Instead, it welcomes buyers to its Guangzhou office, showroom, and warehouse throughout the exhibition period.
Alibaba.com currently lists Guangzhou Tomas Crafts Co., Limited as a 17-year supplier. Buyers who want to check a third-party company profile before visiting can review the TOMAS Alibaba.com storefront.
What Can Buyers Compare at the TOMAS Showroom?
| Comparison area | What buyers can inspect |
|---|---|
| Products | Drinkware, apparel, bags, stationery, medals, trophies, badges, lanyards, campaign supplies, holiday products, and gift sets |
| Materials | Steel grades, fabric weights, coatings, paper, bamboo, wood, recycled materials, stitching, and fittings |
| Logo methods | Screen printing, pad printing, embroidery, engraving, UV printing, heat transfer, foil stamping, and debossing |
| Packaging | Folding cartons, rigid boxes, inserts, sleeves, cards, labels, individual bags, and shipping cartons |
Buyers can preview TOMAS custom promotional gifts before visiting. Those planning trade shows, conferences, or participant kits can also review its exhibition gift solutions.
Compare Materials Beyond Product Photos
Material descriptions can hide meaningful differences. For drinkware, compare steel grade, insulation structure, coating, and lid material. For bags, check fabric weight, handles, seams, lining, and load-bearing points.
Apparel buyers should compare fabric composition, weight, fit, stitching, shrinkage, and the decoration method. These details affect both the unit price and how the product performs after repeated use.
Check Logo Methods on Real Surfaces
A digital proof can show logo size and position, but it cannot fully show adhesion, texture, thread detail, or the effect of a curved surface.
Small text that works in print may become unclear in embroidery. A full-color gradient may need heat transfer or UV printing rather than a basic spot-color process. The TOMAS guide to 12 types of printing methods explains the main options and limitations.
Test Gift Packaging as a Complete Unit
A gift box must close correctly, protect each item, and remain presentable after transport. It must also stay within the planned shipping size and weight.
Buyers can place selected products together to check fit, presentation, and insert requirements. This is helpful when combining a Phase 2 tumbler with a Phase 3 notebook, pen, apparel item, or bag.
What Can Be Decided During the Visit?
A showroom visit can shorten product selection, but it does not replace a written quotation or approved production sample.
| Buyers can usually decide during the visit | Details that require follow-up |
|---|---|
| Product and material direction | Final price and minimum order quantity |
| Preferred logo method and position | Final artwork, Pantone color, and production proof |
| Packaging style and product combination | Insert structure, packed dimensions, and carton weight |
| Products requiring custom samples | Sample cost, production schedule, testing, and shipping plan |
The best outcome is a clear and comparable specification. This reduces misunderstandings when quotations, samples, and artwork approvals are prepared after the visit.
Plan Your TOMAS Showroom Visit
Address:
4F, Building A, No.74 Xieshi Highway, Zhongcun Street, Panyu District, Guangzhou 511495, China
Visit period: October 15–November 4
Estimated drive: About 30 minutes from the Canton Fair Complex under normal traffic
Pickup: Complimentary round-trip private car from Pazhou or nearby hotels
Language: English-speaking sales staff are available
Contact: Judy Luzhao
WhatsApp/WeChat: +86 134 2768 5652
Email: luzhao@tomascrafts.com
No formal appointment is required. However, send TOMAS your preferred time, pickup location, visitor count, and product interests so the car and relevant available samples can be prepared.
Selected samples may be available to take away depending on the product, stock, customization, and project. Confirm specific sample requests before visiting, as some showroom samples need to remain on display.
Buyers can review more company information on the TOMAS Crafts website or submit project details through the TOMAS contact page.
Unable to Visit Guangzhou?
Buyers who cannot visit can arrange an English-language video meeting or request sample shipping based on product availability, destination, and project requirements.
Send a brief before the meeting so TOMAS can prepare the most relevant products, material comparisons, logo samples, and packaging options.
FAQs
Q1: Which Canton Fair Phase Is Best for Promotional Gift Buyers?
Phase 2 is usually best for gifts, premiums, drinkware, festival products, and household items. Phase 3 is more relevant for apparel, bags, office supplies, textiles, and sports products. Buyers building mixed gift sets may benefit from attending both phases.
Q2: Is the Canton Fair Worth Attending for Promotional Gift Buyers?
Yes. The Canton Fair allows buyers to compare many products, suppliers, materials, and price levels during one sourcing trip. A TOMAS showroom visit can add a more focused comparison of products that appear across Phase 2 and Phase 3.
Q3: Does TOMAS Have a Canton Fair Booth, and Can Buyers Visit Without an Appointment?
TOMAS does not have a booth at the 140th Canton Fair. Buyers can visit the Guangzhou office, showroom, and warehouse from October 15 to November 4 without a formal appointment. Message TOMAS first if you require pickup or particular samples.
Q4: Does TOMAS Provide Pickup and Prepare Product Samples?
Yes. TOMAS can arrange and pay for a round-trip private car from the Canton Fair Complex, Pazhou, or a nearby hotel. Send Judy your preferred time, pickup location, visitor count, and product interests. Confirm any specific sample requests before visiting.
Conclusion
A productive Canton Fair trip depends on choosing the right phase, comparing suppliers against the same specifications, and checking materials, logo methods, and packaging before sampling or bulk production. A TOMAS showroom visit can bring Phase 2 and Phase 3 products into one working shortlist and clarify the next quotation or sample steps.
Visit TOMAS During the Canton Fair With Complimentary Round-Trip Pickup
TOMAS welcomes promotional gift buyers from October 15 to November 4. Visitors can compare products, materials, logo process samples, and packaging options with English-speaking sales staff.
No formal appointment is required. To arrange pickup and help TOMAS prepare relevant samples, send Judy your:
- Preferred visit date and time
- Pickup location
- Number of visitors
- Product categories or reference photos
Arrange Your TOMAS Showroom Visit on WhatsApp
WhatsApp/WeChat: +86 134 2768 5652
Email: luzhao@tomascrafts.com
