Global Sources and HKTDC Hong Kong shows: a buyer's guide
Every April and October, Hong Kong hosts two big groups of sourcing shows in the same weeks: the Global Sources shows at AsiaWorld-Expo near the airport, and the HKTDC fairs at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai. Many buyers combine them with Canton Fair in Guangzhou.
Dates and product phases change every season. Always check the official show websites before you book.
The short answer
- Global Sources (AsiaWorld-Expo, next to the airport) runs in phases by category, for example consumer electronics, then lifestyle and gifts.
- HKTDC fairs (HKCEC, Wan Chai) cover categories such as electronics, lighting and gifts, often in the same weeks.
- Plan your days by category, not by venue. Do one venue per day if you can. Moving between them takes time.
- Register online in advance for both. Registration lines are longest on the first morning.
The two venues
| Global Sources | HKTDC fairs | |
|---|---|---|
| Venue | AsiaWorld-Expo, Lantau, next to the airport | Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai |
| Typical seasons | April and October | April and October |
| Getting there | Airport Express to the AsiaWorld-Expo station (on show days) | MTR to Wan Chai or Exhibition Centre station |
| Good for | Many mainland China factories and exporters | Hong Kong and international exhibitors, plus mainland suppliers |
Check each organizer's website for the exact phases, hall plans and opening hours for your season.
Planning your days
- List your categories. Find which show and which phase covers each.
- Use the official exhibitor search to shortlist booths. Note hall and booth numbers.
- Group your days by venue. The trip between Lantau and Wan Chai takes the better part of an hour each way.
- Leave one flexible day. You will find suppliers you want to see again.
- If you also go to Canton Fair, check which Canton phase matches your categories. See our Canton Fair checklist.
At the shows
- Bring many business cards. Exhibitors exchange cards at almost every booth.
- Record the show and booth with each product. A month later, "the speaker from hall 10" means nothing without it.
- Take photos of the product label or box. They carry model numbers and specs.
- Ask for price breaks and the price term at every serious booth. See 25 questions to ask suppliers.
- If your team splits between venues, share finds during the day, so nobody visits the same supplier twice.
In the evening
Hong Kong evenings are a good time to sort the day: mark the shortlist, fill in missing prices, and plan tomorrow's booths. Then, after the show, follow up within a week.
Frequently asked questions
When are the Hong Kong sourcing shows?
The Global Sources and HKTDC shows are usually held in April and October. Exact dates and phases change each season, so check the official websites before you book travel.
Where are the Global Sources Hong Kong shows held?
At AsiaWorld-Expo on Lantau Island, next to Hong Kong International Airport. The Airport Express stops at an AsiaWorld-Expo station on show days.
Where are the HKTDC fairs held?
Most HKTDC sourcing fairs are at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) in Wan Chai, on Hong Kong Island.
Can I visit Global Sources and the HKTDC fairs on the same trip?
Yes. They often run in the same weeks. Plan one venue per day if you can, because travel between Lantau and Wan Chai takes close to an hour each way.
Do I need a visa for the Hong Kong shows?
Hong Kong has its own entry rules, separate from mainland China. Many nationalities can visit visa-free for short stays, but check the current rules for your passport. If you also go to Canton Fair in Guangzhou, check mainland China's entry rules separately.