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Canton Fair badge for an interpreter or assistant: who applies, the deadline and the fee

Sources checked

If you are an overseas buyer and want to bring an interpreter or an assistant to the 140th Canton Fair, you apply as the buyer. Accompanying personnel cannot start the application themselves. The notice says applications should be submitted at least 2 days in advance, and the fee is RMB 300 per day plus a RMB 50 administrative fee.

This page is a plain-English summary of the official notices listed under Sources. It is not the official Canton Fair website, it does not arrange badges, and it is not affiliated with the Canton Fair or its organizers. These fees, dates and procedures apply to the 140th session only and cannot be carried over to the next session. The organizer's website for the session in question governs.

Who applies

Overseas buyers initiate badge applications for accompanying personnel through the official Canton Fair website (cantonfair.org.cn). The application is reviewed by the organizer. Accompanying personnel cannot initiate the application on their own.

Regular buyers can apply for accompanying personnel directly. New buyers must first complete pre-registration and submit the application for the Overseas Buyer Badge before they submit applications for accompanying personnel.

When to apply

The application for accompanying personnel for the 140th Canton Fair opened on September 28.

Applications should be submitted at least 2 days in advance. The notice gives this example: if attendance is planned for October 15, the application must be submitted no later than October 13.

The Chinese-language version of the notice (第140届广交会已开放境外采购商陪同人员办证申请) puts the lead time as at least 2 natural days (2个自然日).

Who can come with you

The notice divides accompanying personnel into "assistants" and "interpreters."

An interpreter must submit proof of translation qualifications. The notice lists these options:

  • China Accreditation Test for Translators and Interpreters (CATTI)
  • National Accreditation Examinations for Translators and Interpreters (NAETI)
  • A graduation certificate in a foreign language major from a higher education institution in the Chinese mainland

Quota and eligibility

Each buyer may apply for up to 2 accompanying personnel per phase, with a maximum of one interpreter and one assistant each.

The notice says buyers from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), the Macao SAR and the Taiwan region, as well as those holding a Chinese passport, are not eligible to apply for an interpreter badge and can only apply for an assistant badge.

Restrictions for the current session

The notice sets out two restrictions:

  • For the same phase of the current session, individuals who have obtained an exhibitor badge or exhibitor representative badge are not eligible to apply for an accompanying personnel badge for that phase.
  • Individuals who have obtained a service personnel badge (move-in/move-out badge of exhibitors and construction) for the current session, or whose exhibitor/exhibitor representative badge application was rejected, are not eligible to apply for an accompanying personnel badge for the current session.

Fees and refunds

The notice says: a fee of RMB 300 per day plus a RMB 50 administrative fee will be charged. Used badges are non-refundable. A badge is considered used once it has been scanned by entry gates. If a badge is lost, a replacement fee of RMB 200 per badge will be charged.

The Chinese-language fee table for on-site badge services (证件办理), item 8, gives the same figures: 300元/天×天数+50元工本费/证, and 丢失补办200元/证.

The genuine accompanying relationship

Buyers and their accompanying personnel must ensure a genuine accompanying relationship. If they do not, the organizer may confiscate the Canton Fair badges of the buyer and the accompanying personnel and require them to leave the venue.

Older badges

The Canton Fair Badge Guide for overseas buyers states that Overseas Buyer Badges issued on the basis of a "work visa" at or before the 134th Canton Fair are no longer valid, and that holders must apply for a Purchasing Agent Badge as required to attend the Canton Fair.

Frequently asked questions

Can an interpreter start the badge application on their own?

No. The notice says accompanying personnel cannot initiate the application on their own. The overseas buyer starts it through the official Canton Fair website, and the organizer reviews it.

Can a buyer from Hong Kong apply for an interpreter badge?

The notice says buyers from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) are not eligible to apply for an interpreter badge and can only apply for an assistant badge.

Sources

  • 证件办理, 中国对外贸易中心 (cantonfair.org.cn)
  • Canton Fair official website (cantonfair.org.cn), notice "Badge Application for Accompanying Personnel for Overseas Buyers of the 140th Canton Fair is Now Open", published 2026-09-28
  • Canton Fair official website (cantonfair.org.cn), notice "第140届广交会已开放境外采购商陪同人员办证申请", published 2026-09-28
  • Canton Fair official website (cantonfair.org.cn), notice "Canton Fair Badge Guide — Your Go-to for Overseas Buyers", published 2026-09-26

Checked 11 October 2026.

This page is an unofficial summary. Sourcing Agent Asia is not affiliated with the Canton Fair or its organizers, and the organizer's website for the session in question governs.