First time at a Shenzhen trade show? Read this

Shenzhen held 293 trade and technology fairs in 2025, most of them at Shenzhen World in Bao'an, one of the world's largest exhibition centres, or at the older, central Shenzhen Convention & Exhibition Center in Futian. Most are free for trade visitors who register in advance, and almost nobody tells you how they actually work.

Before you go: register online

1. Pre-register on the show website a week or two ahead. It's usually free, but missing the deadline can cost you: CHTF 2026 charges ¥120 after pre-registration closes, and a few fairs, such as CHINAPLAS, charge even in advance.
2. Enter your passport details exactly as printed. Overseas visitors show their passport, and often the confirmation email and a business card, to collect a badge.
3. Screenshot the QR confirmation in case mobile data is slow in a crowded hall.
4. Look for the overseas-visitor counter. Big international fairs such as CHINAPLAS run one for foreign visitors.

Getting to Shenzhen World

Metro Lines 20 and 12 both stop at Shenzhen World (国展; exits C1/C2 lead to the South Entrance Hall) and Shenzhen World North (国展北; exits C1/C2 lead to the North Entrance Hall). From Futian, take Line 11 to Airport North and change to Line 20: that's about an hour on the trains, so allow 70 minutes. Taxi and DiDi pick-ups get busy at closing time, and the metro avoids the queue.

Convention center · Venue guideShenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center深圳国际会展中心Bao'an · L12/20 Shenzhen World · Exit C1/C2 (South Lobby)

The main venue for electronics, hardware and e-commerce expos.

Next: Tue 13 – Thu 15 Oct · ProPak Shenzhen 2026

On the floor

• Walk the whole show on day one before you negotiate anything.
• Everyone will ask for your WeChat. Have your QR code ready; business cards are secondary.
• Samples: ask for them to be shipped. Carrying 40 kg of prototypes home on the metro is a rite of passage you can skip.
• Price talk often gets easier on the last day, when exhibitors would rather not ship stock home.

Visas

Citizens of 50 countries (as of February 2026) can visit mainland China visa-free for up to 30 days, and visiting a trade fair counts as business. For most of those countries the policy runs to 31 December 2026. Others, including US citizens, can use the 240-hour visa-free transit if they arrive with an onward ticket to a third country or region. Check the current list for your passport before you book.

Trade shows coming up

Interest guide · 5 this weekE-commerce seller events in Shenzhen跨境电商Here for the e-commerce side? Seller meetups and summits.Open the e-commerce sellers guide →Next: Wed 14 Oct · 8pm

Sources

• Hong Kong Commercial Daily, citing the Shenzhen Commerce Bureau: 2025 exhibition figures (27 Jan 2026)
• Shenzhen World: venue facts, transport and hotels (official site)
• Shenzhen Convention & Exhibition Center: halls and transport (official site)
• CHTF 2026 visitor notice (2026)
• CHINAPLAS visitor FAQ (2027 edition)
• National Immigration Administration: visa-free entry list (17 Feb 2026) and 240-hour transit (20 Aug 2026)
• Shenzhen Commerce Bureau: hotel occupancy during fairs (2023)