The 140th Canton Fair is giving new products greater visibility through more than 700 New Collection events, a new physical showcase, livestreams and dedicated business-matching services.
The launch programme represents a 15% increase from the previous session, according to the organiser’s announcement.
Running in Guangzhou from October 15 to November 4, 2026, the Canton Fair divides its extensive sourcing programme into three phases. Each phase focuses on different industries, allowing buyers to identify relevant manufacturers and evaluate new products within specific supply chains.
New Collection Gallery combines products and matchmaking
One of the most significant additions is the Canton Fair New Collection Gallery, introduced for the first time at the 140th session.
Located near the connecting platform between Areas A and B of the China Import and Export Fair Complex, the gallery includes three sections:
- A physical product display area
- A digital interactive area
- A business-matching area
The format is designed to move visitors beyond passive product viewing. Buyers can examine selected products, access additional information digitally and discuss sourcing requirements with exhibitors or matching-service representatives.
For purchasing teams with limited time, the gallery can provide a useful starting point for identifying suppliers. However, inclusion in a new-product showcase should not replace normal due diligence.
Buyers should still confirm whether a displayed product is ready for mass production, which certifications have been completed and whether the supplier can meet required volumes, delivery schedules and target-market regulations.
Six technology themes highlighted during Phase 1
The official Canton Fair New Collection programme includes themed release events intended to group related innovations together.
During Canton Fair Phase 1 2026, the programme highlights six areas:
- Smart living appliances
- Service robots
- Low-altitude smart inspection
- Smart electronics
- Precision tools
- Green energy storage
These themes reflect Phase 1’s broader focus on advanced manufacturing, electronics, industrial machinery, automation, mobility, electrical products and new-energy technologies.
The service robots theme is particularly relevant to buyers in hospitality, retail, healthcare, logistics and facility management. Product demonstrations can help visitors evaluate navigation, object recognition, human-machine interaction and the ability to perform repetitive commercial tasks.
The low-altitude smart inspection category may include technologies involving drones, sensors and automated monitoring systems. Potential applications extend across infrastructure inspection, agriculture, utilities, security and industrial facilities.
Products presented under green energy storage should be assessed using measurable criteria such as battery chemistry, capacity, cycle life, safety testing, energy-management capabilities and compliance with destination-market regulations.
Livestreaming extends product launches beyond Guangzhou
The fair is also combining its physical exhibition with online broadcasts covering exhibition tours, product demonstrations and launch events.
These programmes can help international buyers monitor selected developments when they cannot attend every presentation in person. They may also provide an initial introduction to suppliers before a direct meeting or factory assessment.
The fair’s New Collection schedule directs buyers to themed releases and online broadcasts across the three phases.
Livestreams are useful for product discovery, but they generally provide less information than an onsite technical discussion. Camera demonstrations may not reveal build quality, packaging, software stability or manufacturing consistency.
Remote buyers should request detailed specifications, certification reports, commercial terms and product samples before making purchasing decisions.
Product launches require commercial verification
New-product events can help buyers identify market trends, but not every debut will be immediately available for commercial orders.
Some products may be prototypes, concept models or early production samples. Pricing, minimum order quantities, customisation options and certification schedules may still be under development.
Before adding a newly launched product to a sourcing shortlist, buyers should ask:
- Is the product already in mass production?
- Which export markets is it certified for?
- Can the supplier provide independent test reports?
- What are the minimum order quantity and production lead time?
- Are tooling, customisation or certification costs included in the quotation?
- What intellectual-property protections apply?
- Can the supplier demonstrate completed orders for comparable products?
- What warranty and after-sales support are available?
Buyers should also distinguish between genuinely new technologies and cosmetic product updates. A revised appearance, added mobile application or marketing claim does not necessarily represent a meaningful technical improvement.
Later Canton Fair phases will continue the launch programme
Following the manufacturing-focused first phase, the New Collection programme will continue through the fair’s two consumer-oriented phases.
Canton Fair Phase 2 2026 runs from October 23–27. It covers furniture, housewares, ceramics, gifts, decorations, building materials, sanitary products and gardening goods.
This phase is particularly relevant to importers, retailers, hospitality buyers, interior designers and property-development companies seeking home and lifestyle products.
Canton Fair Phase 3 2026 takes place from October 31 to November 4. Its product sections include clothing, textiles, footwear, bags, food, medical devices, healthcare products, toys, baby products, personal care, sports equipment, office supplies and pet products.
Buyers should confirm which phase covers their target category before arranging travel. Most exhibitors and product sections change between phases.
Buyers should prepare before visiting launch events
With more than 700 New Collection events across the full session, attending every launch will not be practical. Buyers will obtain more value by selecting events that correspond directly with their sourcing priorities.
Before visiting, procurement teams should prepare:
- A list of required product specifications
- Target pricing and expected order quantities
- Destination-market certification requirements
- Questions about production capacity and quality control
- A process for recording supplier and product information
- A shortlist of exhibitors for follow-up meetings
Visitors should also leave time for comparing similar products outside the central launch programme. A featured product may offer useful innovations, but another supplier elsewhere in the exhibition could provide better pricing, manufacturing experience or regulatory readiness.
The expanded New Collection programme makes innovation more visible at the 140th Canton Fair, while the new gallery and livestreaming options create additional routes for connecting products with buyers. Its commercial value will depend on how carefully purchasing teams verify the products, manufacturers and claims behind each debut.
