How Many Days Should You Arrange for a China Sourcing Trip?
Every buyer plans their trip time before travelling to China, but how much time exactly is needed? It depends on what you are sourcing and how many suppliers you plan to visit. Based on my experience in China, I write this article for reference.
But this is based on you having prepared before travelling — you already have a supplier list, or you know which places you plan to visit.
1. For a single product category, plan 3–4 working days
If you are sourcing one type of product — for example, sofas, tiles, or lighting — three to four working days is usually enough.
Schedule:
- Day 1: Arrival, hotel check-in, rest, and a short briefing with your local contact.
- Day 2: Visit 2–3 factories, showrooms, or wholesale markets to compare price and quality.
- Day 3: Visit 2–3 more suppliers or return to the supplier you plan to choose.
- Day 4: Follow-up meetings and final negotiations.
2. For multiple product categories, plan 5–7 working days
If you are sourcing several unrelated categories — for example, furniture, tiles, and lighting — you need more time. Each category may be located in a different industrial zone, and travel between them takes hours.
Schedule:
- Day 1: Arrival and briefing.
- Day 2–3: Furniture market in Lecong.
- Day 4: Tile and stone suppliers in Foshan.
- Day 5: Lighting or hardware suppliers in Zhongshan or Foshan.
- Day 6: Follow-up visits and negotiations.
- Day 7: Final decisions and payment.
3. For a full villa or project procurement, plan 10–14 days
For a large project — a villa, hotel, or commercial building — the trip involves many product categories. Ten to fourteen days is more realistic.
This allows time for:
- Visiting factories across different cities
- Reviewing samples and shop drawings (making one sample usually takes about 5 days)
- Negotiating contracts
- Handling unexpected issues
4. If you are attending the Canton Fair, add 2–3 days
The Canton Fair itself takes at least two full days to cover properly. If you plan to visit factories before or after the fair, add extra days. Many buyers combine the fair with factory visits in Foshan or Guangzhou.
5. Avoid major Chinese holidays
Chinese New Year (Spring Festival), the most important holiday in China, like Christmas in Western countries.
- Timing: Late January or early February, depending on the lunar calendar.
- Factory closure: Usually 2 to 4 weeks. Some factories close longer.
- Impact: Workers return to their hometowns. Production stops. Even after the holiday, it takes time for factories to resume full capacity.
Chinese National Day
- Timing: October 1–7 every year.
- Factory closure: Usually 5 to 7 days.
Other holidays to note:
- Labour Day: May 1–3 (sometimes longer)
- Dragon Boat Festival: One day, usually in June
- Mid-Autumn Festival: One day, usually in September or October
- Qingming Festival: One day, usually in April
6. How to make your trip more efficient
- Pre-screen suppliers before you travel
- Prepare a clear specification sheet and target price
- Book a local support service in advance if needed
If you need help planning a sourcing trip or arranging factory visits in Foshan or Guangzhou, feel free to reach out.
