Pre-fair preparation
Turn your buying goals into a product priority list, a supplier meeting list and the questions each meeting has to answer.
Explore pre-fair preparationTRADE SHOW HUB / PLAN, MEET, FOLLOW UP

TRADE SHOW HUB
The Canton Fair compresses hundreds of supplier conversations into a few days, which makes preparation and follow-up the deciding factors. Product priorities, the suppliers you need to meet and the questions each one has to answer should be agreed before arrival, and the post-show follow-up should be defined before you leave. Availability, assistance and on-site responsibilities are confirmed before the fair.
01 / CANTON FAIR SERVICE DIRECTORY
Select the preparation, meeting or follow-up task you need.
Turn your buying goals into a product priority list, a supplier meeting list and the questions each meeting has to answer.
Explore pre-fair preparationIdentify which exhibitors are worth the time and organise the schedule around them.
Explore supplier meeting planningSupport during the fair for communication, product comparison notes and the records you need afterwards.
Explore on-site assistanceConvert notes into specific supplier questions, quotations and sample requests after the fair.
Explore post-fair follow-up02 / SELECT THE RIGHT SUPPORT
Each phase of the trip needs a different kind of preparation.
| Sourcing service | Best starting point | What to define |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-fair preparation | You are attending the fair but have not defined what success looks like. | Product priorities, target price, minimum order expectations and the questions each supplier must answer. |
| Supplier meeting planning | There are more exhibitors than there is time. | Which halls or categories to cover, which exhibitors to prioritise and how long each meeting needs. |
| On-site assistance | You need support recording and comparing what you see. | Who records the findings, what gets photographed and how product options are compared. |
| Post-fair follow-up | You leave with notes, samples and business cards but no next step. | Which suppliers get a follow-up, what is asked, and by when. |
Meeting assistance, communication support and follow-up are agreed tasks. Supplier performance and commercial outcomes always depend on the supplier and your own decisions.
03 / PRODUCT BRIEF CHECKLIST
Provide the requirements that change the buying decision.
Reference photos or links, materials, dimensions, functions and must-have features. Distinguish requirements from optional preferences.
Planned quantity, sample needs and expected reorder pattern. Supplier minimums should be confirmed for the actual product.
Destination country, label and packaging needs, and any standards you need the supplier to address. Confirm specialised requirements with qualified professionals.
Target budget, sample approval deadline and required order readiness. Separate product cost from sourcing support and freight.

05 / SAMPLE → ORDER → HANDOVER
Product sourcing does not end with a supplier quotation. Review sample approvals, final packing and supplier ready dates early enough to plan collection and consolidation. International freight should be quoted using the actual packed cargo and destination, not an unconfirmed product estimate.
Explore sourcing-to-delivery coordination06 / SOURCING KNOWLEDGE
Learn the preparation basics, then use the service page for the task you need.
CHINA SOURCING

Turn a product idea into a clearer sourcing brief. Review specification, quantity, samples and delivery planning before supplier outreach.
Explore the China sourcing guideCHINA SOURCING

Prepare questions about supplier identity, quoted scope, sample approval and the evidence behind commercial claims.
Explore supplier verificationCHINA SOURCING

Connect purchasing decisions with packing, cargo dimensions, consolidation and the freight inquiry.
Explore shipping guidesGLOBAL BRANDS
BLOG INSIGHTS
07 / CANTON FAIR FAQ
Find a clear starting answer, then confirm what applies to your product and buying stage.
Treat the supplier’s code as a starting point for review. Provide the product’s materials, function, model and intended use to the appointed broker. The Harmonized System is shared at six digits, but destination tariffs may add further digits and requirements. Confirm the code applicable to the importing country before filing. If classification remains uncertain, ask the broker or customs authority about an advance ruling where available.
Coverage depends on the insurer’s acceptance and the policy wording. Review the insured goods, route, value, period of transit, deductible and exclusions before agreeing to cover. Delay-related losses or unsuitable packing may be excluded; ask the insurer or insurance intermediary to explain the terms offered. A freight booking is not evidence that insurance is in force. Keep the policy confirmation, packing records and condition photographs, and follow the stated notification and claims procedure.
Customs authorities determine release and may request further documents or examine a shipment. Preparation can address missing or inconsistent information, but it cannot guarantee approval or a fixed clearance time. Before dispatch, confirm the importer, filing party and contact responsible for responding to queries. Ask how inspection, handling, storage and delivery changes will be approved if a hold occurs.
Not automatically. Under Incoterms® 2020 DDP and DAP, delivery takes place with the goods on the arriving vehicle, ready for unloading. The buyer normally handles unloading. A separate transport quotation may include additional handling only when this is expressly agreed. Before booking, confirm whether the receiving site has a loading dock, forklift and staff available. Tell VG Shipping about tail-lift requirements, restricted vehicle access, appointment windows or inside-delivery needs. Ask for the accepted handling scope and any related charges to be stated in the quotation.
Under Incoterms® 2020, both DDP and DAP place delivery at the named destination, with the goods on the arriving vehicle ready for unloading. Under DDP, the seller handles import clearance and pays applicable import duties and taxes. Under DAP, those import responsibilities belong to the buyer. Confirm the named place, importer eligibility and quotation inclusions before booking. DDP arrangements must be checked against the destination’s local requirements; the term alone does not confirm that a particular cargo or route can be accepted.
Share the product description, supplier pickup city, destination city or address, package count, packed dimensions, gross weight, cargo ready date and the delivery tasks you want included. Flag any figures that are still estimates.
LET’S PLAN YOUR NEXT SHIPMENT
Tell us what you are moving, where it needs to go and when. We will help identify the service scope and shipping options to discuss.
Not sure which shipping mode to choose?
Select “Help me choose” and start with your cargo details.