China International Import Expo (CIIE)

The China International Import Expo (CIIE) is the world's first national-level expo dedicated entirely to imports. It is hosted by China's Ministry of Commerce and the Shanghai Municipal People's Government and has been held every November since 2018. The 9th CIIE runs 5–10 November 2026 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Hongqiao), Shanghai, across more than 360,000 m².

Across its first eight editions the expo has drawn exhibitors from over 180 countries and regions, generated more than USD 580 billion in intended transaction value and welcomed around 6 million visits. Alongside the Business Exhibition it hosts the Country Exhibition (national pavilions), the Hongqiao International Economic Forum and the Humanities Exchange programme.

Read the fair correctly. CIIE is where foreign companies sell into China — not where you source Chinese products. If you are looking for Chinese manufacturers, the Canton Fair or an industry-specific fair will serve you far better. CIIE is the right trip if you want to sell your product in China, find a Chinese importer or distributor, or read what Chinese buyers and policymakers are prioritising this year.

NECC Shanghai is the four-leaf-clover complex in Hongqiao. The Business Exhibition occupies its halls in six themed zones plus special sections. Pick your zones before you arrive — walking the whole floor plan in one day is not realistic.

• Food & Agricultural Products — the largest and busiest zone: dairy, meat and seafood, wine and spirits, snacks, health foods, organic and geographic-indication products.
• Automobile & Smart Mobility — passenger and commercial vehicles, NEV platforms, autonomous driving, components and aftermarket technology.
• Intelligent Industry & Information Technology — industrial automation, robotics, semiconductors, integrated circuits, energy and environmental technology.
• Consumer Goods — beauty and personal care, fashion and accessories, jewellery and watches, toys, sporting goods, home and lifestyle.
• Medical Equipment & Healthcare Products — diagnostic imaging, surgical and rehabilitation equipment, pharmaceuticals, nutrition and elderly care.
• Trade in Services — logistics and supply chain, finance and insurance, inspection and certification, consulting, culture, tourism and education.

Two more sections are worth a detour: the Innovation Incubation Section for early-stage companies and unlisted technologies, and the Country Exhibition, where participating governments present national capability rather than individual products.

Venue: National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) — 国家会展中心（上海）
No. 333 Songze Avenue, Qingpu District, Shanghai. In Baidu or Amap search 国家会展中心（上海）.

By metro — Line 2 to Xujing East (徐泾东), the main entrance for most halls, or Line 17 to Zhuguang Road (诸光路) for the north halls. Line 2 runs directly from both airports and People's Square, so it is the simplest route from anywhere in the city.

From Hongqiao Airport (SHA) and Hongqiao Railway Station — the venue is only two Line 2 stops away, about 10–15 minutes; taxi ¥40–60, 15 minutes. This is why almost every visitor flying in for CIIE books SHA over PVG.

From Pudong Airport (PVG) — Line 2 straight through, about 90 minutes with one train change at Guanglan Road; taxi ¥250–300, 60–80 minutes depending on traffic. The maglev plus Line 2 saves little for this destination.

On site — expect airport-style security and passport checks at every gate. During CIIE the metro exits and gates are heavily managed and queues at 09:00 are long; arriving at 08:15 or after 13:00 is far more comfortable.

Overseas professional visitors must register online in advance — on-site registration is not available. This is the single most important thing to know about CIIE: unlike most Chinese fairs, you cannot simply turn up with a business card and buy a badge at the door.

How to register. Go to ciie.org → Business Exhibition → Visitor → Registration. Enter your company details and the personal details of every attendee exactly as they appear in the passport, submit for review, then pay. You receive an approval email once the review passes. Personnel information cannot be edited after submission, so check spelling against the passport before you send it.

Deadline and fee. Registration closes roughly two weeks before the opening (for the 8th CIIE it was 20 October, 24:00 Beijing time). Badges are paid: at the 8th edition a full-run badge was ¥200 and a badge valid for the last three days ¥100. Refunds are only possible if the review fails, and not at all once badge production has started.

Collecting the badge. Free courier delivery is available within mainland China; otherwise collect it on site at the registration counters — bring the passport you registered with. The badge is personal and non-transferable, and it is checked together with your passport at the gate every day. Keep it, do not lend it, and do not lose it.

Business cards. Bring more than you think you need. Bilingual cards with a Chinese side — company, name, position, phone, e-mail, WeChat QR — make follow-up after the fair dramatically easier.

Visa. Most business visitors enter on an M visa. CIIE issues invitation documentation to registered professional visitors — apply for the visa as soon as your registration is approved, because November is peak season at Chinese consulates.

Weather. Early November in Shanghai is 12–20 °C, often damp, with cold evenings. A light coat and comfortable shoes; the halls are large and you will walk 10–15 km a day.

Hotels. Book early. CIIE fills Shanghai and prices in Hongqiao and Qingpu roughly double for the week. Staying anywhere on Line 2 — Zhongshan Park, Jing'an, Nanjing West Road — is often cheaper than Hongqiao and no slower door to door.

Payments and connectivity. Alipay and WeChat Pay both accept foreign cards now; set one up before you fly and top it up on arrival. Have a working VPN installed before you land if you rely on Google, WhatsApp or Gmail.

What you can and cannot do on site. CIIE is a negotiation fair, not a retail floor — most stands do not sell goods to visitors and quantities are illustrative. Book meetings with target exhibitors through the official matchmaking system before the fair rather than hoping to catch decision-makers at the booth.

Documents. Carry your passport every day — it is checked at the gate with the badge. Keep a photo of both on your phone as backup.