Canton Fair 2026: A Car Buyer's Guide to Sourcing Vehicles in Guangzhou
Quick answer: The 140th Canton Fair runs in three phases in Guangzhou this autumn — Phase 1 15–19 October, Phase 2 23–27 October, Phase 3 31 October – 4 November 2026 at the Canton Fair Complex in Pazhou. Vehicle and auto-parts buyers need Phase 1, which covers Vehicles & Two Wheels, New Energy Vehicles and auto parts. If you are coming for cars, book the October 15–19 window — or come any week and work with a Guangzhou-based export team who can take you to factories and stock on the days the halls are closed.
Why the dates matter more than anything
The fair is not one continuous show. It runs as three back-to-back exhibitions in the same venue, and each exhibitor appears in exactly one phase. Turn up in the wrong week and the vehicle halls simply do not exist.
| Phase | Dates (2026) | Relevant to car buyers |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | Oct 15–19 | ✅ Vehicles & Two Wheels, NEV, auto parts — this is your week |
| Phase 2 | Oct 23–27 | Home, furniture, building materials |
| Phase 3 | Oct 31 – Nov 4 | Apparel, consumer goods, food |
Opening hours are 9:30–18:00 daily, at the Canton Fair Complex, Pazhou, Guangzhou.
Why Guangzhou is the right city for vehicle sourcing anyway
Even outside fair weeks, Guangzhou is one of China's largest automotive export hubs. The practical advantages:
- Nansha Port handles FOB vehicle shipments to Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia
- Dense network of dealers, OEM channels and parts suppliers within reach of the city
- Freight forwarders and clearing agents who do vehicle paperwork every week, not once a year
If you are flying in for the fair, the highest-value use of your trip is not only the halls — it is seeing stock in person before you wire money.
How to prepare before you fly
- Decide your target models. Chinese brands run many trims per model. Arriving with "I want an SUV" wastes your five days.
- Fix your budget in landed terms, not vehicle price alone: FOB price + freight + insurance + duty + local clearing.
- Line up inspection. For used units, insist on a photo set — four corners, interior, dashboard with odometer, engine bay — before releasing the balance payment.
- Bring your company documents. Serious exporters will ask for them before issuing a proforma invoice.
- Plan the changeover days. The halls close between phases (Oct 20–22 and Oct 28–30). Those are the days for factory and stockyard visits.
If you cannot attend
Most dealers cannot. In that case the substitute for presence is verification:
- Ask which port the quote is FOB from (a real quote names the port — e.g. FOB Nansha)
- Ask for the exact trim and model year, in writing
- Ask for unit photos and an inspection report before balance payment
- Ask which documents are included
- Ask how long the quote is valid
A supplier who answers all five quickly is usually a supplier worth ordering from.
Working with a Guangzhou-based export team
A local export team does the parts remote buyers cannot: physical sourcing across China, in-person inspection, export documentation, and container loading at Nansha. The value is not the introduction — it is the inspection and paperwork, which is where remote deals usually go wrong.
KT AUTO is based in Guangzhou and handles sourcing, inspection, documentation and FOB Nansha loading for dealers in Algeria, Morocco, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Russia, Tajikistan and the UAE. Buyers visiting Guangzhou for the fair can arrange to see stock in person.
Key facts
- 140th Canton Fair, autumn 2026: Phase 1 Oct 15–19 · Phase 2 Oct 23–27 · Phase 3 Oct 31–Nov 4
- Vehicle halls: Phase 1 only (Oct 15–19)
- Venue: Canton Fair Complex, Pazhou, Guangzhou · 9:30–18:00 daily
- Main vehicle export port: Nansha, Guangzhou
- Standard term: FOB Nansha · payment T/T against proforma invoice
- Documents: commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin, export declaration
Why dealers buy from the sourcing end
KT AUTO sits at the supply end of the chain, not in the middle of it:
- Manufacturer and dealer channels inside China — new vehicles quoted from factory-linked supply, not from someone else's list
- Nationwide sourcing — we search across China for the exact brand, model, year and quantity you need
- Inspection before your money moves — photos and a report on the actual unit before balance payment
- Export documentation handled in-house — invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin, export declaration
- Loading supervised at Nansha — the physical step brokers never see
- Exporting since 2024, serving dealers in Algeria, Morocco, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Russia, Tajikistan and the UAE
- Enquiries answered in English, French, Arabic and Russian
About KT AUTO
KT AUTO is a Guangzhou-based vehicle and parts export team, shipping FOB Nansha to dealers across seven markets. The team has been exporting vehicles since 2024 and has handled 500+ units. Ready-to-quote models include the Geely Coolray, GAC Trumpchi GS3 and GS4, Changan X5 PLUS, Livan X3 PRO and MG 3. Enquiries are handled in English, French, Arabic and Russian.
Visiting Guangzhou for the fair? Message us in advance to arrange stock viewing.
Contact: WhatsApp +86 191 2271 0801 · ktautokent@gmail.com · ktautoexport.com