China 102nd Canton Fair (Chinese Export Commodity Fair) 2007
Just when you are about to get a wholesale supplier from China after reading my previous article, you can’t help but be suspicious whether you’d be scammed.
You definitely heard enough stories how China scammers rip-off innocent buyers’ hard earned money.
Want to know if all China suppliers are conmen? Now is your chance to visit and know them personally. A supplier from China called me today regarding some goods and sent me an invitation to the 102nd Canton Fair.
Canton Fair 2006. [Courtesy: http://www.cinihracurunlerifuari.com]
History
The first Canton Fair was held on the spring of April, 1957. Interestingly, the Canton Fair will be held twice a year, meaning two sessions. First session will usually be held in Spring (April) and second session in Autumn (October). Each session will be further divided into two phases.
About Canton Fair
China Import and Export Fair, also called Canton Fair is China’s largest trade fair. Over here you can see a huge array of suppliers, exporters and their product sample. Do take advantage of this fair, which are held twice a year, to understand the variety of Chinese companies, seek business opportunities, find new suppliers and learn about market demand.
If you find some products within your niche that you can sell, just approach the supplier and exchange information about yourself and nature of business. Talk to them, discuss and negotiate everything. Many suppliers do speak some basic English.
Downtown Guangzhou, International Convention Centre. [Courtesy: http://www.molon.de]
Dates and Sessions
The first session of this 102nd Canton Fair was held in Guangzhou on Spring. Thus this second session will be held in the same place as well, now in the Autumn from Oct.15th -20th (first phase). Fret not if you miss this date, for the second phase will be on Oct.25th-30th.
Here is a neat summary if you are confused:
Session 1 (Spring Fair) -
Phase 1:April.15th -20th 2007
Phase 2:April.25th-30th 2007Session 1 (Autumn Fair) -
Phase 1:Oct.15th -20th 2007
Phase 2:Oct.25th-30th 2007Each phase lasts 6 days.
Venue
The Canton Fair will be held in:
1. China Import and Export Fair (Pazhou) Complex for Phase 1
2. China Import and Export Fair (Liuhua) Complex for Phase 2
Recommended Canton Fair Hotels Site – very detailed and lots of information.
Hotels and Reservation
Like any other trip to a foreign country, you and I know it pays to plan your trip beforehand. Hundred thousands of visitors will be expected to visit the Canton Fair. If you are serious about visiting Guangzhou, book your accommodation early before you find all hotels are fully reserved. I am glad to read that some hotels provide free shuttle bus to the trade venue.
Here is a dedicated site to book and learn more about hotels for the 102nd Canton Fair. To arm yourself with Canton Fair trip information, like location, transportation, climate and currencies, visit this excellent link.
Online Fair
There is also an online fair if you can’t visit Guangzhou personally. But then, I think it defeats all the purposes of knowing your supplier in person. Nothing beats talking to them face to face and be sure they are not scammers.
Mark Your Calendars
In my opinion, the Canton Fair is definitely a brilliant platform for foreign exporters and suppliers to tap into China’s huge market. If you plan to make it full-scale on eBay, online store or just a retail shop, you can only do with a cheap bulk supply. The Canton Fair is a good place to start trading big.
Why not take an extra day or two to tour Guangzhou, China too?
Southern Guangzhou Harbor [Courtesy: http://travel.yahoo.com]
Tags: Canton Fair, guangzhou, china hotel, wholesale supplier, ebay business, make money ebay
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Wow, the Guangzhou International Convention Centre is a beauty! I wanna go! :p
Many Chinese are often known as scammers (or even con men) and make good (or rather crook) businessmen. That’s very unfortunate but if not, how would they make a living in a very competitive market.
Chinese Traders are not scammer. They are the most “creative creature” in this earth. They could actually make a “fake” products into a “real” product easily and sell it highly to the customer.
There is a saying here: “If you meet up with a chinese trader (especially comes from china), what he say no is yes, and what he say yes is no.”
If he say a product is bad, it’s likely the product have the best quality ever!
Well, it’s just some joke.
Crook or not, China is still the largest place where supplies and goods come from. Nowadays, almost everything are imported or made in China.
While dealing with the manufactures myself now, I hate to say that you have to always be careful when dealing with supplier from China.
Now you have to pay more attention on the chemical they use to make the product. In many case, you have to provide a certification of the examination of the product before you can import them into US.
You can pretty much get very competitive price from many different manufactures. There are also many lies behind the price game. You just need to do your home work and research very well to find your best suppliers.
Too bad that I won’t have time to attend the trade show.
Thanks for the advice Terence.
Good advice Terrence.
Do you have any tips on what to look for when choosing the best suppliers?
I just came back from the Fair, and it was a great experience!