What to Prepare for Canton Fair 2025?

Attending the Canton Fair 2025 is an exciting opportunity for importers, retailers, and sourcing agents worldwide. But with over 60,000 booths across three massive phases, preparation is everything. Without the right tools, it's easy to feel lost or waste precious time. One of the smartest things buyers can do before stepping into the halls of the Canton Fair is prepare key materials that help maximize efficiency and make a great first impression.

From business cards to brochures and a well-organized sourcing list, this guide walks you through everything you need to bring.

1. Business Cards: Your Fastest First Impression

In the Chinese business culture, exchanging business cards is a must. It serves as a formal way to introduce yourself, and often the first step to building trust and relationships.

What to include:

• Your full name and title

• Company name and logo

• Email address

• Phone number with international code

• WeChat or WhatsApp ID (very useful in China)

• Company website

• Country/region

Pro Tips:

• Consider printing bilingual cards (English on one side, Chinese on the other) to help suppliers understand you better.

• Bring at least 300 cards, especially if you're attending all three phases.

• Present your card using both hands, and take a moment to glance at the card you're receiving—it’s a sign of respect.

• You may also include a QR code that links to your LinkedIn or company page for modern convenience.

2. Brochures and Catalogs: Sell Yourself Too

You're not just sourcing—you're also selling yourself as a buyer worth doing business with.

Why bring brochures? Many serious suppliers want to understand the scale of your business. Giving them a brochure can:

• Show what kind of products you buy

• Communicate your purchasing volume and expectations

• Clarify your sourcing categories and target markets

• Showcase your company's credibility and global reach

What to include in your buyer brochure:

• Brief company profile

• Product categories you're sourcing

• Volume or container size per order (if applicable)

• Distribution channels (e.g., eCommerce, retail stores)

• Contact details and website

• Optional: preferred Incoterms, regions of sourcing

Format Tips:

• Keep it simple: 2–4 pages is enough.

• Use high-quality printing and clear visuals.

• Digital PDF copies (in case suppliers ask for them via email or USB)

3. Sourcing List: Your Fairground Treasure Map

Navigating the Canton Fair without a sourcing list is like going to a supermarket without a shopping list—but a supermarket that spans over a million square meters!

What's a sourcing list? It's a pre-planned document listing what you're looking for, and it should be organized by:

• Product name and category

• Specifications (size, material, features, etc.)

• Target price

• MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity)

• Preferred certifications or standards

• Notes (to record booth numbers, impressions, follow-up tasks)

How to use it:

• Print it out and bring multiple copies

• Keep a digital copy on your phone or tablet

• Update it throughout the day with booth numbers and contacts

Bonus:

• Use a spreadsheet format (Google Sheets or Excel)

• Leave extra space to jot down sample photos or quick sketches

Partner with Market Union – Your China Sourcing Expert

Need support beyond the fairgrounds? Market Union is your trusted partner for all-in-one sourcing solutions in China. With decades of experience helping global buyers, we offer end-to-end services to streamline your procurement process.

Our services include:

• Buyer planning and project management

• Product development and innovation

• Sample preparation and verification

• Accurate cost accounting and quotations

• Product risk assessment and compliance

• Factory sourcing and evaluation

• Raw material procurement

• Quality control and quality management

• Warehousing and inventory services

• Freight coordination and export clearance

• Retailer and wholesaler solutions

• Consumer product sourcing

Whether you're a small business or a global retailer, Market Union ensures you have the right products, at the right price, with the right quality. We're also available during the Canton Fair to assist you with translation, transportation, and a tour of our 3,000㎡ showroom.

Bonus Tips for On-the-Ground Success

• Bring a lightweight shoulder bag or expandable folder to carry business cards, catalogs, and documents

• Sticky notes and colored labels help organize supplier brochures by category

• A power bank and portable WiFi will save your day

• Pack extra pens, a notebook, and hand sanitizer

• Optional: Small gifts like pens or keychains with your company logo can help build rapport

Success at Canton Fair 2025 starts with preparation. With your business cards, brochures, and sourcing list ready, you'll not only save time—but also leave a lasting impression on the right suppliers.