The
Canton Fair is one of the world’s largest and most influential trade exhibitions — a place where global buyers meet thousands of Chinese suppliers face-to-face.
After days of exploring endless booths, exchanging business cards, and collecting product samples, most visitors leave the fair feeling excited, inspired… and maybe a little overwhelmed.
But when you’re back home, the real work begins.
How do you turn all those new contacts and opportunities into successful business partnerships?
Here’s what experienced importers and buyers do right after the Canton Fair — and how a trusted local sourcing agent can make the process far smoother.
Review and Organize Your Supplier Information
Once you’re back in your office, start by sorting through everything you collected — brochures, catalogs, and business cards.
Create a simple spreadsheet to record:
1. Supplier names and contact info
2. Product categories and key specifications
3. Quoted prices (EXW, FOB, etc.)
4. Your initial impression (communication, professionalism, booth quality, etc.)
This step helps you see the big picture and quickly identify which suppliers deserve further follow-up.
Verify Before You Trust
Not every supplier you meet at the fair will be a factory — some might be trading companies or intermediaries.
Before proceeding, it’s crucial to verify supplier legitimacy:
1. Check if they hold a valid business license
2. Review factory certifications (ISO, BSCI, CE, etc.)
3. Search for export records or online reputation
4. Request photos or videos of their production line
A small verification step can prevent major problems later on, especially when it comes to quality or delivery issues.
Request Samples Before You Decide
1. Never rely solely on booth displays or promises.
2. Request samples to test product quality, materials, packaging, and performance.
3. Pay attention to consistency — a good supplier will provide samples that accurately represent mass production.
If you’re considering multiple suppliers for the same product, samples also help you make an objective comparison in quality and craftsmanship.
Negotiate Beyond Price
Price matters, but it’s not everything.
During post-fair communication, focus on the total value — including MOQ, lead time, customization options, warranty terms, and payment flexibility.
Suppliers are usually open to negotiation after the fair, especially for long-term or volume-based cooperation. Having a local sourcing partner communicate in Chinese on your behalf can make these discussions more effective and transparent.
Arrange Factory Visits or Audits
If you’re planning to place large orders, factory audits are essential.
A visit (or third-party inspection) helps you confirm whether the supplier truly has the production capability they claim.
Key points to assess:
1. Factory size and facilities
2. Worker conditions and production flow
3. Quality control process
4. Packaging and shipping procedures
This is where a sourcing agent becomes invaluable — conducting inspections on-site, sharing photo and video reports, and ensuring everything meets your expectations before payment or shipment.
Manage Quality Control and Logistics
Even after finalizing your order, the job isn’t done yet.
Quality control at different production stages — from raw materials to final packaging — ensures you receive what you paid for.
A sourcing agent can:
1. Conduct on-site quality checks
2. Supervise packaging and labeling
3. Coordinate shipping and customs paperwork
4. Handle unexpected issues immediately in China
This local presence is often the key difference between a smooth import process and costly delays.
Partner with a Reliable Sourcing Agent in China
If you discovered great products at the Canton Fair but feel uncertain about the follow-up — communication barriers, supplier reliability, or logistics — working with a professional sourcing company can make all the difference.
At Guangzhou Bright Future Sourcing, we specialize in helping overseas buyers:
1. Identify trustworthy manufacturers
2. Negotiate fair pricing
3. Manage quality control and logistics
4. Build long-term supplier relationships
With over 13 years of sourcing experience and branch offices in Hong Kong and Georgia, our mission is simple:
To make sourcing from China honest, efficient, and worry-free.
Final Thoughts
The Canton Fair is just the beginning of your China sourcing journey.
The real success comes after the fair — in how well you manage suppliers, verify quality, and build lasting partnerships.
Don’t let those great business cards and ideas sit idle.
Let’s turn them into real, profitable projects.
This is my first time to purchase products from China, thanks for their help, I am very satisfied with their service!!!
