Canton Fair · Guangzhou
Canton Fair Interpreter Who Also Knows Sourcing.
I interpret between English and Mandarin at the booths, collect and compare quotes, check whether a supplier is a real factory, and follow up with samples and factory visits after the fair. US$169 per day.
Updated October 2026
What I do at the fair
- Booth interpreting between English and Mandarin, including price, MOQ, lead time and payment terms.
- Factory or trader? I ask the questions that show whether a booth is a manufacturer or a trading company, and check the business licence afterwards.
- Quotes in one place: booth number, contact, prices and MOQs go into one shared spreadsheet with photos, so you can compare suppliers that evening.
- Negotiation: samples, small first orders, packaging and private label.
- Getting around: metro, DiDi, Alipay or WeChat Pay, and restaurants near the venue.
After the fair
Most deals are made after the fair, not at the booth. Because I'm a sourcing agent, I can keep going once you fly home: chase quotes, order and check samples, visit the factory (US$199 per factory in Fujian) and manage the order through to shipping.
Canton Fair basics
The China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair) is held twice a year at the Canton Fair Complex in Pazhou, Guangzhou: in spring (mid-April to early May) and in autumn (mid-October to early November). Each session has three phases of about five days, and product categories are split between them:
| Phase | Roughly covers |
|---|---|
| Phase 1 | Electronics, home appliances, lighting, machinery, hardware and tools, vehicles and new energy |
| Phase 2 | Consumer goods, kitchenware, gifts, home decor, building materials and furniture |
| Phase 3 | Textiles and garments, shoes, bags, toys, baby products, stationery, food and health products |
Exact dates and the category split change a little each session. Check the official site, cantonfair.org.cn, before you book flights.
Price
| Service | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Canton Fair interpreter | $169 per day | Plus the Fair's interpreter badge fee and my train and hotel in Guangzhou, at cost. |
- A day is 8 hours; overtime is US$20 an hour.
- The Fair charges interpreters a daily badge fee (around ¥300 a day in 2026), which I pass on at cost.
- I'm based in Xiamen, about four hours from Guangzhou by high-speed rail, so train and hotel are added at cost. Booking several days in a row keeps that small per day.
How to book
- Send me your dates, the phase or phases you're visiting, and the products you're looking for.
- I confirm availability and register for my interpreter badge, which needs a few days.
- We meet at your hotel or the venue entrance, and you get the supplier spreadsheet every evening.
Tips for a first visit
- Pre-register online as an overseas buyer so your badge is ready, and bring your passport.
- Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with your own card before you arrive.
- Stay near Metro Line 8 (Xingangdong or Pazhou stations) and book early, because hotel prices jump during the fair.
- Photograph every booth number and business card; it is the easiest way to find suppliers again.
Questions People Ask
How much does a Canton Fair interpreter cost?
English interpreters at the Canton Fair usually charge about US$120–300 per day in 2026. I charge US$169 per day for 8 hours, plus the Fair's interpreter badge fee and my train and hotel at cost.
Which phase of the Canton Fair should I visit?
Pick the phase that covers your product. Phase 1 is mostly electronics, appliances and machinery, phase 2 is consumer goods, gifts, home decor and furniture, and phase 3 is textiles, shoes, bags, toys and food. Send me your product list and I'll tell you which phase fits.
Can you visit factories with me after the fair?
Yes. Many buyers add one or two days to visit factories in Guangdong or Fujian after the fair. I can come with you, or visit factories for you after you fly home for US$199 per factory in Fujian.
Does my interpreter need a Canton Fair badge?
Yes. Interpreters need their own badge, applied for a few days in advance. I handle the application and pass the badge fee on at cost.
Tell me what you need.
Send the details and you'll get a plan and one all-in quote within 24 hours.
WhatsApp +86 176 2110 6260 · bailutingyu@gmail.com
Pay by Wise, Bank transfer, Alipay or WeChat Pay.