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. For professional visitors there is an online matchmaking system: study the exhibitors in advance, post sourcing requests and find suitable imported goods and business partners.

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, present your product to potential partners, 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 (Halls 7.1, 8.1, 8.2) — the largest and busiest zone: dairy, meat and seafood, wine and spirits, snacks, health foods, organic and geographic-indication products.
• Automobile & Smart Mobility (Hall 7.2) — passenger and commercial vehicles, NEV platforms, autonomous driving, components and aftermarket technology.
• Intelligent Industry & Information Technology (Halls 3, 4.1) — industrial automation, robotics, semiconductors, integrated circuits, energy and environmental technology.
• Consumer Goods (Halls 5.1, 6.1, 6.2) — beauty and personal care, fashion and accessories, jewellery and watches, toys, sporting goods, home and lifestyle.
• Medical Equipment & Healthcare Products (Halls 1.1, 1.2, 2.1) — diagnostic imaging, surgical and rehabilitation equipment, pharmaceuticals, nutrition and elderly care.
• Trade in Services (Hall 2.2) — logistics and supply chain, finance and insurance, inspection and certification, consulting, culture, tourism and education.

Three more locations complete the hall map: the Hongqiao Forum (WH, 4.2), the Country Exhibition (Hall 5.2), where participating governments present national capability rather than individual products, and the Innovation Incubation Section (NH) for early-stage companies and unlisted technologies.

Venue: National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), NECC Shanghai — 国家会展中心（上海）. The name in Baidu Maps is 国家会展中心 (上海).

From Hongqiao Airport (Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, SHA):
Taxi / Didi – ¥20–50, 5–10 min.
Metro – Line 2 to the station 国家会展中心 (National Exhibition and Convention Center), Exit 6, ~¥8, 15 min.

From Pudong Airport (Shanghai Pudong International Airport, PVG):
Taxi / Didi – ¥150–230, 60–70 min.
Metro – Line 2 to the station 国家会展中心 (National Exhibition and Convention Center), Exit 6, ~¥10, over 1.5 hours.

How foreigners can order a taxi, which apps to use and how to pay for the ride — we cover it in detail in our article “How to Use Taxis in China: A Detailed Guide for Foreigners”. Where best to stay during the fair — we break it down below.

Register online in advance. Visitor registration takes place on the official CIIE website — the registration page on ciie.org. After pre-registration you receive a confirmation and can collect your badge on site at the fair.

Documents. For registration and badge collection take your passport and any other documents the organisers’ instructions may require.

Business cards — bring a good supply. Bilingual cards with an English and a Chinese side are useful: company name, your name, position, phone, e-mail and a short description of what you do. They make follow-up contact with managers after the fair much easier.

Visa. Entry rules depend on your nationality — check the current requirements for your passport before booking. Russian citizens get visa-free entry to China for up to 30 days, including for business trips. Longer stays require a visa.

Where to stay. The practical choice is the Hongqiao area. It is especially convenient if you are combining CIIE with factory visits in the region: NECC is close by, and from Hongqiao Railway Station you can easily reach Suzhou, Hangzhou, Nanjing and other cities by high-speed train. For the fair period, hotels near NECC are best booked in advance.

Getting around the complex. NECC is a huge exhibition complex built in the shape of a “four-leaf clover”, around 300,000 m². The halls are arranged around a central plaza and connected to each other. Plan your route through the pavilions in advance: walking between distant halls can take a noticeable amount of time. For CIIE, count on a full day on your feet and wear comfortable shoes.

Weather. In early November the average daytime temperature is usually around 15–20 °C, dropping to 9–13 °C at night. Rain, overcast and windy days are possible. Bring a mid-season jacket, a sweater and an umbrella.

Payment and connectivity. Install and set up Alipay and link a foreign bank card before you fly. For a detailed guide on installing and setting up Alipay, linking your card and how foreigners pay in China, read our article How to Pay in China in 2026: A Complete Guide. With Alipay you can pay for most daily expenses in China — from transport and taxis to restaurants, shops and hotels. Also arrange mobile internet in advance: an eSIM or a roaming package will come in handy for maps, taxis and online translators.