The 140th Canton Fair runs from mid-October to early November 2026 in Guangzhou, with more than 30,000 exhibitors. A good find often turns into a deal on the spot. A few simple steps at the booth keep the purchase smooth and easy to track afterwards.

You’ve just found exactly what you came to the Canton Fair for. The supplier taps RMB 180 into a calculator and turns it toward you. The price is agreed, and now it’s time to pay.

You want a payment method that's quick and easy, a record you can find later, and one you can trust. Here’s how WeChat helps.

QR codes are the way to go

In China, paying by QR code is the norm, and it takes seconds with WeChat. It's the same on the floor at Canton Fair, right down to paying for samples.

If you're visiting from overseas, link an international card to WeChat and set up payment function Weixin Pay, and you’re ready to make payments to a supplier:

● Scan their code: tap + > Scan and point your camera at the supplier's payment code.

● Let them scan yours: tap + > Money to show your payment code, which allows the supplier to scan and take the payment.

Transfer without adding a contact

Beyond paying a business, settling up with an individual doesn't have to come with a friend request. Whether you're paying someone you've just met or getting a refund, the two of you can settle up in a few ways without adding each other on WeChat:

● Receive Money: open + > Money > Receive Money to show a personal QR code. Set the amount first, so the other person can scan to pay.

● Transfer to a Mobile Number: send money to a number instead of a contact, as long as the recipient has allowed transfers to their mobile number in Payment Settings.

● Red Packets: tap Scan > My QR Code > Get Nearby Red Packets, another way to pay when you're face-to-face.

Check payments and keep records

Some codes fill in the amount for you, while others ask you to type it in. Either way, check the figure is in RMB and matches the agreed price before you tap Pay. Do the same for the deposit when your team approves the sample, and you return to place the order.

Every payment you make in WeChat is recorded. Open Me > Pay and Services > Wallet > Transactions, or search Weixin Pay > Transactions, to see the details. It's still worth taking a screenshot of the confirmation as proof of payment or for your expense report.

More time for discovery

Before the day is out, you've bought a sample, placed an order and paid a deposit, all within WeChat. That means more time to find products and less time on paperwork.

Heading to a fair soon? Download WeChat and set up Weixin Pay before you go.

At the Booth: Buying Samples and Making Payments at Canton Fair