China Furniture Fairs: CIFF Guangzhou, Shanghai and Dongguan Guide
China’s furniture fairs are the fastest way to see thousands of manufacturers in one place. For a hotel developer, designer or importer, one week in March can replace months of online searching. But the fairs are huge, and not every fair suits every buyer. This guide explains the main China furniture fairs, what each one is good for and how to turn a fair visit into a project order.
The main furniture fairs at a glance
| Fair | City and venue | When | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| CIFF Guangzhou, Phase 1 | Guangzhou, Canton Fair Complex (Pazhou) | March 18–21, 2027 | Home furniture, upholstery, outdoor, hotel-style casegoods |
| CIFF Guangzhou, Phase 2 | Guangzhou, Canton Fair Complex (Pazhou) | March 28–31, 2027 | Office, commercial spaces, hotel and public-area seating, components |
| International Famous Furniture Fair (3F) | Dongguan, GDE | March (2026 edition: March 15–19) | Classic and upholstered furniture from Dongguan and Guangdong makers |
| CIFF Shanghai | Shanghai, NECC (Hongqiao) | September (2026 edition: Sept 5–8) | Home furniture, design brands, export-oriented manufacturers |
| Furniture China / Maison Shanghai | Shanghai, SNIEC (Pudong) | September (2026 edition: Sept 8–11) | Large export manufacturers, especially from eastern China |
Dates change every year. Always confirm on the official fair website before booking flights.
CIFF Guangzhou: the one most project buyers need
The China International Furniture Fair in Guangzhou (CIFF) is held every March in two phases at the Canton Fair Complex in Pazhou. It is the closest major fair to Foshan, where most of China’s contract and hotel furniture is made, so many exhibitors are factories you can visit the following day.
- Phase 1 covers home furniture: sofas, beds, dining, outdoor living, soft furnishings and custom whole-house furniture. For hotels and residences, this is where you find casegood, upholstery and outdoor suppliers.
- Phase 2 covers office and commercial furniture: office seating, public and commercial spaces, hotel and hospitality furniture, healthcare and education furniture, plus components.
At the same time, CIFM / interzum guangzhou shows machinery, hardware, fabrics and materials. It is useful if you specify custom finishes or upholstery.
Shanghai in September
In September two large fairs take place in Shanghai within the same week: CIFF Shanghai at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Hongqiao, and Furniture China with Maison Shanghai at SNIEC in Pudong. They are strong for export-oriented home furniture, especially from eastern China (Zhejiang, Jiangsu). If your project is mainly hotel FF&E made in Guangdong, March in Guangzhou is usually more efficient.
Dongguan
The International Famous Furniture Fair in Dongguan (often called 3F) is held in March, just before or around CIFF Guangzhou. It focuses on Dongguan and Guangdong manufacturers, with a strong presence of classic and upholstered furniture. It is easy to combine with Guangzhou and Foshan in one trip.
How to plan a fair trip for a project
- Pick the fair by category, not by size. Hotel guestrooms and upholstery: CIFF Guangzhou Phase 1. Lobby, restaurant, office or public seating: Phase 2.
- Pre-register online. Registration for overseas buyers is usually free and saves time at the entrance.
- Bring a brief. Room count, furniture list, drawings or references, target budget and opening date.
- Shortlist, do not order. Collect catalogues, note the factory location, MOQ and lead time, and take photos with the booth number.
- Visit factories after the fair. Plan two or three days in Foshan to see the production behind the best booths and to walk the Foshan furniture market.
- Book hotels early. Hotels near Pazhou and in Foshan fill up and prices rise during fair weeks.
Common mistakes at furniture fairs
- Trying to see everything. CIFF covers hundreds of thousands of square metres. Plan halls by category.
- Confusing a booth with a factory. Some exhibitors are traders. Ask where the factory is and visit it.
- Negotiating price at the booth. Booth prices are for standard items. Custom sizes, contract-grade fabrics, packing and inspection change the price.
- No follow-up plan. Suppliers meet thousands of buyers in a week. Send your brief within a few days while they still remember you.
Visit the fairs with Chinify
Chinify is based in Foshan, about an hour by car from the CIFF venue. We help buyers choose the right halls, meet suppliers at the fair, and then visit the factories behind the best booths. After the trip we turn your shortlist into comparable quotes, samples and a production plan. See our Foshan factory tour or send us your project brief.
Frequently asked questions
When is the China furniture fair in Guangzhou?
CIFF Guangzhou is held every March. In 2027, Phase 1 (home furniture) runs March 18–21 and Phase 2 (office and commercial) runs March 28–31, at the Canton Fair Complex in Pazhou.
Is CIFF the same as the Canton Fair?
No. They use the same venue, but the Canton Fair is a general trade fair held in spring and autumn. CIFF is the dedicated furniture fair in March.
Which fair is best for hotel furniture?
CIFF Guangzhou. Phase 1 for guestroom casegoods, upholstery and outdoor; Phase 2 for lobby, restaurant, public-area and office furniture. Most hotel furniture factories are in nearby Foshan.
Can I buy at the fair?
You can agree on standard items, but for project orders use the fair to shortlist suppliers. Visit the factory, approve samples and inspect before shipping.