- Phase 3 of the 140th Canton Fair (31 October – 4 November 2026) covers toys, maternity and baby products, home textiles, fashion, and stationery across 515,000 sqm and 12,000+ exhibitors.
- The fair set a record: over 278,000 overseas buyers from 218 countries by the end of Phase 2, up 13.4% year on year.
- The GCC toys market is worth about USD 1.8 billion in 2026, heading to USD 4.1 billion by 2034; Saudi Arabia alone is a USD 1.2 billion market.
- Chinese New Year (6 February 2027) and Ramadan (around 8 February 2027) almost overlap, leaving a real production window of under eight weeks — confirm orders now or pay more and receive late.
The third and final phase of the 140th Canton Fair (China Import and Export Fair) opened in Guangzhou on 31 October 2026 under the theme "Better Life" and runs through 4 November. For importers in the Gulf and the wider Arab world, this is the most relevant phase of the entire fair: toys, maternity and baby products, home textiles, fashion, and health and leisure goods. According to China Daily, the fair had received more than 278,000 overseas buyers from 218 countries and regions by the end of its second phase — up 13.4% year on year and an all-time record.
Writing from Guangzhou, we explain what Phase 3 means for Gulf importers, where the opportunities are in toys, baby products and home textiles, and why November is decisive for the Ramadan 2027 season.
What happened at the 140th Canton Fair, and why are the numbers record-breaking?
The direct answer: the 140th Canton Fair recorded its highest-ever overseas buyer attendance at this stage — 278,000 buyers by the end of Phase 2 — a practical indicator of strong global demand for Chinese goods. According to Xinhua, China exported goods worth 23.2 trillion yuan (about USD 3.46 trillion) in the first nine months of 2026, up 16.4% year on year, per the General Administration of Customs.
More than 32,000 companies are exhibiting across the full session, with new products at 23.2% of exhibits and green products at 26% — both record shares. For importers, this means suppliers are showing their newest lines now, and competition for foreign buyers is at its peak: an ideal negotiating environment.
What does Phase 3 cover, and why does it matter to Gulf importers?
Phase 3 is the everyday consumer-goods phase, spanning 21 exhibition zones and 25,000 booths across five categories that map directly onto the fastest-growing Gulf segments: toys, children's products, and home textiles.
| Category | Example products | Why it matters for Gulf markets |
|---|---|---|
| Toys, maternity & baby products | Educational toys, AI toys, strollers, infant care items | A USD 1.8B GCC market growing at over 10% a year with a young population |
| Home textiles | Bedding, curtains, duvets, towels | Heavy seasonal demand ahead of Ramadan, Eid and home-furnishing seasons |
| Fashion & apparel | Children's wear, modest fashion, accessories | E-commerce growth and demand for competitive price points |
| Health & leisure | Home fitness equipment, personal care products | A segment expanding with the fitness culture wave in Saudi Arabia and the UAE |
| Stationery & office | School supplies, office essentials | Stable seasonal demand tied to the school year |
Among the exhibitors in this phase are more than 3,100 "high-quality suppliers" — specialised manufacturers with documented export records. This is exactly the tier we at Keerki (Keerki Limited) advise clients to focus on, instead of chasing the lowest unit price.
How big is the GCC toys and baby products market?
The direct answer: the GCC toys market is estimated at around USD 1.8 billion in 2026, up from USD 1.6 billion in 2025, and is projected to reach USD 4.1 billion by 2034 at a 10.64% compound annual growth rate, according to an IMARC Group report published in October 2026. The Saudi market alone grew from USD 1.15 billion in 2025 to roughly USD 1.2 billion in 2026.
Three forces drive this growth: a young population (over 30% of Saudi residents are under 15), expanding e-commerce, and a shift toward educational and STEM toys. The key point for importers: Gulf regulators are steadily tightening toy safety certification, raising the value of suppliers who prepare test reports in advance.
What certifications do toys need for Saudi Arabia and the GCC?
Toys sold in Gulf states fall under the GCC Technical Regulation on Children's Toys BD-131704-01 issued by the GCC Standardization Organization (GSO), covering mechanical, physical, flammability, chemical and electrical safety for products aimed at children under 14. In Saudi Arabia, imported toys require conformity under the SALEEM program run by SASO: a Product Certificate of Conformity plus a Shipment Certificate issued through the SABER platform before shipping.
In practice, the right factory saves you weeks: export-experienced factories — especially in the Shantou/Chenghai cluster — hold ready EN 71 test reports and technical files, while an inexperienced one can force you to fund full re-testing. This is precisely what the Keerki team verifies when shortlisting suppliers before any contract.
Why is the Ramadan 2027 order window closing now?
The direct answer: because Chinese New Year falls on 6 February 2027 and Ramadan is expected around 8 February 2027, Chinese factories shut down from late January until late February — leaving a real production window of under eight weeks between now and mid-January. If you want goods on shelves before Ramadan, your order must be locked in November, not December.
| Stage | Ideal timing | Practical note |
|---|---|---|
| Order confirmation & deposit | First half of November 2026 | Securing a production slot matters more than a one-point discount |
| Production & quality inspection | Mid-November to early January | Pre-shipment inspection must finish before the holiday shutdown |
| Sea freight | Mid-January 2027 at the latest | Space tightens and rates climb in the pre-holiday rush |
| Customs clearance & distribution | First half of February 2027 | On shelves before Ramadan begins |
There is also a cost pressure to factor in: spot rates from Shanghai to Jebel Ali remain elevated at around USD 8,584 per 40ft container, per Drewry's Intra-Asia Container Index of 2 November 2026, even as other Asian lanes soften. Booking freight early is margin protection, not a luxury.
Where are toys and home textiles actually made in China?
The direct answer: the heart of China's toy industry is Chenghai district in Shantou, Guangdong, where annual output exceeds 50 billion yuan across roughly 68,000 toy enterprises exporting to over 170 countries, per South's coverage of the Chenghai International Toys & Gifts Fair (opened 29 October 2026, 100,000 sqm, 2,500+ brands). China as a whole produces around 70% of the world's toys, per Xinhua.
One rising trend: AI-powered toys. Their online sales in China reached 850 million yuan in H1 2026, up 183.9% year on year, and Guangdong targets AI toys exceeding 30% of its toy output by 2027. For Gulf importers this category offers accessible entry prices and healthy margins — but it needs Arabic voice content, agreed with the factory in writing before production.
For home textiles, the Canton Fair is not the last stop: the Keqiao textile expo opens on 5 November, immediately after the fair closes, and Keqiao in Shaoxing is Asia's largest cluster for curtain and upholstery fabrics. Buyers can combine both within one trip.
Practical steps: how do you turn Phase 3 into a profitable container?
- Define your category list precisely before contacting suppliers: educational toys or AI toys? Bedding or curtains? Each has its own cluster and certifications.
- Check certification readiness early: ask for EN 71 reports or GCC regulation BD-131704-01 documentation before negotiating price, not after.
- Negotiate the production slot first: "which week of December will you run my order?" is worth more than two points off the unit price.
- Request samples immediately via express courier and inspect them in your country before approving the full order.
- Consolidate shipments: below a full container? Ask about LCL consolidation with other importers to soften today's freight costs.
- Book freight early: with spot rates near USD 8,600 per container to Jebel Ali, early booking shields you from December–January spikes.
- Make pre-shipment inspection contractual — your last line of defence before goods leave the factory, especially for children's products.
A tip from Keerki: from our office in Tianhe, Guangzhou, we see the same scene every year: importers who postpone orders into December, believing they are saving money — then discover production slots are gone and freight rates have jumped. If you cannot attend this week, the alternative is not waiting for the next session; it is commissioning a team on the ground to walk the halls for you, collect real prices, and verify factories before you wire any deposit. This year, the gap between November and January could equal an entire Ramadan season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it worth travelling to Guangzhou in the final days of the Canton Fair?
Yes — the last days of Phase 3 (until 4 November 2026) can be the best for negotiation: exhibitors have sunk their booth and travel costs and do not want to ship samples home, so samples, colour cards and even minimum order quantities become more flexible. Convert meetings into letters of intent and inspection dates before you leave.
What is the key certification for importing toys into Saudi Arabia?
The core requirement is a Certificate of Conformity via the SABER platform under SASO's SALEEM program, based on the GCC Technical Regulation BD-131704-01. You need test reports from an accredited lab covering mechanical, chemical and flammability safety — so choose a factory that already holds them.
When should I order Ramadan 2027 goods from China?
Orders should be locked in during November 2026 at the latest: Chinese New Year on 6 February 2027 shuts factories from late January to late February, while Ramadan begins around 8 February. The effective production-and-shipping window is under eight weeks; orders placed in January mostly arrive after the season starts.
Which Chinese city is best for wholesale toy sourcing?
Chenghai district in Shantou is the world's leading toy hub — annual output above 50 billion yuan and 68,000 specialised enterprises — followed by Yiwu for small mixed quantities and Guangzhou for consolidation and shipping. Large, focused volumes should start directly in Chenghai.
Are AI toys from China suitable for Arab markets?
Yes, and the category is growing fast: online sales of AI toys in China surged 183.9% in the first half of 2026, and factories now offer language customisation. Watch two points: voice content must be recorded in child-appropriate Modern Standard Arabic, and batteries and chargers carry extra shipping and certification requirements to price in.
How do I verify a Chinese toy factory before paying a deposit?
Proper verification has three steps: review the business licence and export records; visit the factory — or commission a third party — to confirm it is a real manufacturer, not a trader; and request recent test reports in the factory's own name. On-the-ground verification services such as Keerki's complete this within days, at a cost that is trivial compared to losing a shipment.
Conclusion
Phase 3 of the 140th Canton Fair is the last practical window in 2026 to prepare the Ramadan 2027 season in toys, children's products and home textiles — categories growing at over 10% a year across the GCC. The record 278,000 buyers tells you competitors are already moving. The difference between winning and watching the season is made now: lock orders in November, verify certifications before contracting, book freight before the January spike.
Keerki Limited is a China-based sourcing and commercial representation company headquartered in Guangzhou, helping businesses in the Gulf and the Arab world import from China safely for over 10 years. Our team visits fairs and factories on your behalf, verifies suppliers, negotiates in Chinese, and inspects your goods before shipment. Start your request at https://keerki.com/request/ or contact us on WhatsApp at +86 133 9212 7362.
You can also browse our China exhibitions calendar, search the supplier directory of over 35,000 suppliers, and read our complete Canton Fair sourcing guide and services overview.
