In October 2026, two of the most important events in international electronics trade happen almost back to back: the Hong Kong Electronics Fair (13 to 16 October) and, right after it, Phase 1 of the Canton Fair (15 to 19 October), dedicated precisely to electronics, machinery and energy. Anyone who plans well can visit both on a single trip. This guide explains what the Hong Kong fair is, what to expect from it and why combining it with the Canton Fair can transform your technology sourcing strategy.
What the Hong Kong Electronics Fair is
The HKTDC Hong Kong Electronics Fair is organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and is regarded as the world's largest electronics business platform. It runs twice a year: a spring edition (April) and the autumn edition (October), which is the larger of the two.
Unlike a generic sourcing fair, the Hong Kong event leans towards brands, own design, innovation and trends. It is where the sector shows what is coming: new consumer products, emerging technologies and connected solutions. The fair draws buyers from more than 140 countries and runs alongside electronicAsia, focused on components and production technology.
In short: Hong Kong shows what is being launched and who the brands are; the Canton Fair is where you find the manufacturers to produce at scale. The two complete each other.
Dates, venue and format in 2026
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Edition | Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Autumn Edition) |
| Dates | 13 to 16 October 2026 |
| Venue | Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) |
| Organiser | HKTDC (Hong Kong Trade Development Council) |
| Format | In person + online platform (EXHIBITION+), with AI matchmaking (Click2Match) |
Note: dates and format may be adjusted by the organiser. Confirm on the official HKTDC website close to the event date.
What you find at the fair
The Hong Kong Electronics Fair organises its exhibitors into themed zones. The main segments include:
- Consumer electronics and gadgets
- Audio and video: headphones, speakers, equipment
- Smartphone accessories and mobility
- Smart home and connected products (IoT)
- Wearables and digital health
- Portable power: power banks, chargers, batteries
- Emerging technologies and innovation products
For the importer, it is a chance to spot trends ahead of the competition and to talk to brands that are often absent from online sourcing platforms.
Why to combine it with the Canton Fair
Here is the central point. Look at the October 2026 calendar:
| Event | Dates | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Hong Kong Electronics Fair | 13 to 16 Oct | Brands, design, electronics trends |
| Canton Fair: Phase 1 | 15 to 19 Oct | Manufacturers of electronics, machinery, energy, automation |
The two fairs partly overlap and are only about two hours apart by high-speed train. That creates a logical sequence for anyone importing technology:
- In Hong Kong, you see the trends, the brands and the design-led products, and you understand where the market is heading.
- In Guangzhou, at Phase 1 of the Canton Fair, you find the manufacturers able to produce those goods at scale, at factory prices.
It is the difference between discovering what to sell and finding who makes it, in the same two weeks, without a second trip to Asia. For an electronics importer, that combination rarely comes with such convenient timing.
How combining the two works in practice
01 The logistics between Hong Kong and Guangzhou
The most practical route is the high-speed train, which links Hong Kong West Kowloon station to Guangzhou in about two hours. Leaving Hong Kong at the end of the electronics fair, you can reach Guangzhou in time for the opening of Phase 1 of the Canton Fair.
02 The visa question: two separate controls
Hong Kong and mainland China have separate immigration systems, with their own stamps. The good news is that neither currently requires a visa from Brazilians on short stays: Hong Kong allows visa-free entry and mainland China has waived visas for Brazilians for up to 30 days since June 2025. Even so, crossing from Hong Kong to Guangzhou takes you through two immigration controls. See more in the guide to the China visa and visa waiver.
Practical tip: travel with a passport valid for at least 6 months and confirm the waiver rules in force before you go, since this is a policy subject to change. For stays longer than 30 days in mainland China, a visa is indeed required.
03 Accommodation and schedule
The ideal is to plan the trip as a single itinerary: days in Hong Kong for the electronics fair, a high-speed train transfer, and the following days in Guangzhou for the Canton Fair. Booking hotels close to the convention centres and organising the exhibitor schedule in advance makes all the difference to what you get out of it.
Who it is worth it for
Combining the Hong Kong Electronics Fair with the Canton Fair makes particular sense for:
- Electronics importers who want to see trends and find manufacturers on the same trip
- Companies developing their own products looking for design inspiration plus a production partner
- Technology retailers and e-commerce businesses that need to refresh their range with new products
- Purchasing managers who want to optimise the time and cost of travelling to Asia
For importers in other sectors (home, fashion, food), the Hong Kong fair makes less sense. In that case it is worth focusing directly on the relevant Canton Fair phase. See which Canton Fair phase matches your product.
How BCVN organises this combination
Joining two fairs across two territories with different immigration systems, an international high-speed train and separate exhibitor schedules is not trivial for someone travelling alone. It is exactly the kind of logistics BCVN has been organising for 18 years.
For the October 2026 edition (the 140th Canton Fair, in the fair's 70th anniversary year), BCVN has prepared guided business missions combining the Hong Kong Electronics Fair with Phase 1 of the Canton Fair: flights, business-class high-speed train, hotels, transfers, visa support and bilingual accompaniment from start to finish. You focus on the business; the logistics stay with us.
Want to combine the Hong Kong electronics fair with the Canton Fair in October? Talk to our team and see the missions available:
Frequently asked questions about the Hong Kong Electronics Fair
When does the Hong Kong Electronics Fair 2026 take place?
The autumn edition of the HKTDC Hong Kong Electronics Fair runs from 13 to 16 October 2026, at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). It is the larger of the two annual editions and takes place a few days before Phase 1 of the Canton Fair, in Guangzhou.
What is the difference between the Hong Kong Electronics Fair and the Canton Fair?
The Hong Kong Electronics Fair focuses exclusively on electronics and technology, with a strong presence of brands, own design and innovation. The Canton Fair covers every sector, and its Phase 1 includes electronics alongside machinery, energy and automation. Hong Kong tends to show branded products and trends; the Canton Fair, a far larger volume of manufacturers for direct sourcing.
Is it worth combining the Hong Kong Electronics Fair with the Canton Fair?
For anyone importing electronics, yes. The two fairs happen a few days apart and are only about two hours from each other by high-speed train. Combining them lets you see the trends and brands in Hong Kong and then find the manufacturers for volume production at Phase 1 of the Canton Fair, all in a single trip.
How do you get from Hong Kong to Guangzhou for the Canton Fair?
The most practical route is the high-speed train, which connects Hong Kong (West Kowloon) to Guangzhou in about two hours. It is the option most used by those combining the Hong Kong Electronics Fair with the Canton Fair, leaving Hong Kong at the end of the fair and reaching Guangzhou in time for Phase 1.
Do Brazilians need a visa for Hong Kong or for mainland China?
For short stays, no. Hong Kong allows visa-free entry for Brazilians, and mainland China has waived visas for Brazilians on stays of up to 30 days since June 2025, an arrangement valid at least until the end of 2026. Hong Kong and mainland China have separate immigration controls, so you go through two stamps when crossing between them. For stays longer than 30 days, a visa is required.
What can you find at the Hong Kong Electronics Fair?
The fair brings together consumer electronics, audio and video, smartphone accessories, connected and smart home products, wearables, components, portable power solutions and emerging technologies. It is regarded as the world's largest electronics business platform and draws buyers from more than 140 countries.
BCVN — Brasil China Viagens e Negócios has been connecting Brazilian companies to the best suppliers in China and Asia since 2008. Discover our services in trade intermediation, quality inspection, factory audits and guided business trips to China's main trade fairs.
Products from the fairs in the China Showcase
Real finds from the fairs this guide covers, each with its cost and resale logic. See more in the China Showcase.
