The world's first import-themed national expo — your complete guide to attending, registering, visa, transportation, and exploring Shanghai
Plan Your China Trip →No on-site registration. The 9th CIIE (2026) requires ALL overseas professional visitors to pre-register online before October 20, 2026. There is zero walk-in access. Register at www.ciie.org → Business Exhibition → Visitor → Registration.
Payment deadline: October 23, 2026 (Beijing Time). Certificate fees: ¥200/person (Nov 6–10) or ¥100/person (Nov 8–10 only).
Invitation letters for visa applications are available online after completing registration — click "Apply Invitation Letter" in your dashboard.
240-hour transit visa exemption available for 54+ countries. M-visa with invitation letter for longer stays.
What Is the CIIE?
The China International Import Expo (CIIE) is the world's first and only national-level exposition dedicated exclusively to imports. Initiated by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2018, it is held annually at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (NECC) in Shanghai — the iconic "Four-Leaf Clover" building. Co-hosted by China's Ministry of Commerce and the Shanghai Municipal Government, the CIIE is supported by WTO, UNDP, UNCTAD, FAO, UNIDO, and ITC.
The expo serves as China's definitive statement on opening its market to the world: a platform where 4,000+ overseas exhibitors from 150+ countries showcase their products, 461 new products/technologies debut each year, and $83.49 billion in intended deals are signed. For foreign businesses, it is the single most efficient gateway into the Chinese consumer market.
7 Exhibition Areas (9th CIIE 2026)
| Exhibition Area | Halls | Area (m²) | Key Sectors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food & Agricultural Products | 7.1, 8.1, 8.2 | 85,000 | Dairy, seafood, coffee, wine, snacks, crop seeds |
| Auto & Smart Mobility | 7.2 | 25,000 | EVs, autonomous driving, connected cars, auto culture |
| Technical Equipment | 3, 4.1 | 65,000 | AI, robotics, IoT, aerospace, new materials, IC chips |
| Consumer Goods | 5.1, 6.1, 6.2 | 80,000 | Smart home, beauty, fashion, sports, outdoor gear |
| Medical Devices & Healthcare | 1.1, 1.2, 2.1 | 70,000 | Pharma, diagnostics, senior care, nutrition |
| Service Trade | 2.2 | 30,000 | Finance, logistics, consulting, tourism, culture |
| Innovation Incubation | North Hall | 5,000 | Digital economy, green tech, life sciences, advanced manufacturing |
Food & Agricultural Products — The World on Your Plate
85,000 m² showcasing dairy, seafood, fruits, coffee, wine, snacks from 100+ countries. Dedicated zones for dairy products, agricultural products, and crop seeds. Global giants like Nestlé, Cargill, Bunge, LDC, and Fonterra exhibit alongside regional specialty producers.
Technical Equipment — Where Industry Meets AI
65,000 m² of AI, robotics, IoT, digital factories, aerospace, new materials. The 2026 edition introduces a dedicated New Materials Zone and upgrades the IC Chip Zone with full supply-chain layout. Siemens, GE, ABB, Fanuc, Mitsubishi, and Honeywell lead the exhibitor roster.
Consumer Goods — Global Brands, Chinese Market
80,000 m² spanning smart home, beauty, fashion, sports, outdoor. L'Oréal, Procter & Gamble, Shiseido, Estée Lauder, LVMH, Kering, Richemont, LEGO, Nike, and adidas all use CIIE as their China launch platform for new products.
4-Step Registration Guide for Overseas Visitors
Step 1: Pre-Register Online (Before Oct 20, 2026)
Visit www.ciie.org → Business Exhibition → Visitor → Registration. Fill in your organization info and personnel details. Previous attendees can use the "one-click registration" link sent via email.
Personnel info cannot be modified after submission — double-check names, passport numbers, and titles before clicking submit.
Step 2: Apply for Invitation Letter (For Visa)
After registration, log in and click "Apply Invitation Letter" under Personnel Certificates. Once approved, download the letter for your visa application. This is essential for M-visa applications at Chinese embassies.
Step 3: Obtain Your Visa
Three visa pathways:
- M-visa (Business): Use CIIE invitation letter. Apply at Chinese embassy/consulate. Typical processing: 3–5 business days.
- 240-hour Transit Visa Exemption: Available for 54+ countries. Enter via designated ports, stay up to 240 hours (10 days). Perfect for short CIIE visits.
- Port Visa (Emergency): Available at Shanghai ports for urgent business. Invitation letter required.
Step 4: Pay & Collect Your Certificate
Pay ¥200 (Nov 6–10) or ¥100 (Nov 8–10) per person via UnionPay, WeChat Pay, Alipay, Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Diners Club, Apple Pay, or Google Pay. Choose express delivery (free, mainland China addresses) or on-site collection at NECC.
Getting to the NECC — Transportation Guide
| Method | Route | Time | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metro Line 2 | Pudong Airport → NECC Station | ~90 min | ¥7–9 | Exits 4/5/6/8 → West Login Hall. Badge holders use 4/5 priority. |
| Metro Line 17 | Hongqiao Station → NECC Station | ~20 min | ¥5 | Exit 15 → underground passage → North Login Hall. Transfer via Line 10 at Hongqiao Railway Station. |
| Bus 71 CIIE Line | Downtown (Huangpi Rd) → P5 Lot | ~40 min | Free | Show CIIE badge for free ride. 7:00–18:00 inbound, 8:00–19:00 outbound. |
| Hotel Shuttle | 47 designated hotels → NECC | 20–40 min | Free | 4 routes, 8:00–10:00 AM, 30–45 min intervals. Book via "Suishenxing" app. |
| Taxi / Didi | Anywhere → NECC drop-off | Varies | ¥30–150 | 3,000 electric taxis 24/7. Drop-off at P0/P1/P6/P8. Pick-up at P6. |
| Maglev + Metro | Pudong Airport → Longyang Rd (Maglev) → Line 2 → NECC | ~55 min | ¥50+¥7 | Maglev 430 km/h, 8 minutes. Fastest airport option. |
★ Pro tip: Avoid Line 2 during peak hours (8–9 AM, 5–6 PM). Use Line 10 → transfer at Hongqiao Railway Station → Line 17 instead. Shanghai Metro stations now accept international bank cards for tap-and-ride — no need to buy a local transit card.
Where to Stay — Accommodation Guide
✓ Near NECC — Maximum Convenience
Hongqiao / Qingpu District (5–15 min walk or metro):
- Walking distance to NECC West/North Login Halls
- Hotel shuttle bus stops at 47 designated hotels
- Breakfast at 6 AM for early exhibit hall access
- Less crowded — residential area, not tourist zone
- ¥400–1,200/night range for 4–5 star hotels
★ Downtown Shanghai — More Life
Lujiazui / People's Square / Xintiandi (30–45 min metro):
- Walk to Bund, Nanjing Road, Xintiandi after expo hours
- Michelin restaurants and nightlife within 10 min walk
- Line 2 direct to NECC (45 min during peak)
- ¥600–2,500/night for international 5-star chains
- Best for combining business + tourism
★ CIIE Hotel Booking Strategy
Book by September 15 — Hongqiao-area hotels fill up 6–8 weeks before CIIE. Prices double after October 1. Use Trip.com, Booking.com, or direct hotel websites. Check if your hotel is on the 47-designated shuttle list (free transport to NECC). Request a 6 AM breakfast — exhibit halls open early and mornings are quieter.
Payment & Essential Apps at CIIE
Payment Methods Inside NECC
- International credit cards: Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Diners Club, UnionPay accepted at most food/retail stalls
- Alipay + WeChat Pay: Bind foreign Visa/Mastercard. Covers 90%+ merchants
- Cash (RMB): Accepted everywhere. Exchange at airport or bank branches
- Apple Pay / Google Pay: Through Alipay/WeChat integration
- UnionPay QR: For domestic transactions at food courts
Must-Install Apps Before Arrival
- CIIE Official App: Registration, hall navigation, exhibitor search, matchmaking platform, live event schedule
- Alipay: Bind foreign card → pay everywhere. Transit card integration for Shanghai Metro
- WeChat: CIIE mini-program, hotel shuttle booking, restaurant reservations
- Baidu Maps: NECC indoor navigation, real-time transit routing
- Didi (English version): Taxi/ride-hailing with English interface
- Suishenxing: Shanghai transport hub — hotel shuttle, metro routing, parking reservation
Inside the NECC — Exhibition Hall Strategy
🔎 Pre-Expo Research (Do Before Nov 5)
- Log into CIIE Online Matchmaking Platform after registration — post procurement demands, browse exhibitor profiles
- Download the exhibitor list (3,000+ companies) and mark your top 30 targets
- Study the hall layout map — NECC has 4 "leaves" (Halls 1–8). Know which leaf your targets are in
- Check new product debut schedule — 461+ launches across 6 days
- Book matchmaking meetings through the platform — limited slots fill fast
★ On-Site Navigation Tips
- Enter via West Login Hall (Metro Line 2 exits) or North Login Hall (Metro Line 17) — badge scan at entrance
- Start at 9 AM — halls are quieter before 11 AM crowds arrive
- Use the elevated walkway (二层步廊) connecting P-lots to East Login Hall — avoids ground-level congestion
- Food courts in each hall — 30+ restaurant brands, ¥30–80 meals. International options available
- Rest zones with charging stations, WiFi, and translation assistance on every floor
CIIE vs Canton Fair — Which Expo for You?
| Feature | CIIE (Shanghai, Nov) | Canton Fair (Guangzhou, Apr/Oct) |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Imports INTO China | Exports FROM China |
| Attendee Profile | Buyers sourcing for Chinese market | Buyers sourcing FROM Chinese factories |
| Exhibitors | 4,108 overseas companies | 30,000+ Chinese manufacturers |
| Duration | 6 days, single session | 15 days, 3 phases |
| Exhibition Area | 367,000 m² | 1.55 million m² |
| Best For | Market entry, brand launches, B2C connections | Manufacturing sourcing, OEM, wholesale |
| Location | Shanghai (NECC, Qingpu) | Guangzhou (Pazhou Complex) |
| Registration | Online only, ¥200/¥100 | Online + on-site, free buyer badge |
| Tourism Value | Shanghai — Bund, museums, Michelin dining | Guangzhou — dim sum, heritage, Pearl River |
Shanghai Beyond the Expo — Top Tourism Experiences
| Experience | Time Needed | Distance from NECC | Why Go |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Bund & Lujiazui | 2–3 hours | 45 min metro | Iconic skyline view, colonial architecture, rooftop bars |
| Shanghai Museum | 2–3 hours | 45 min metro | 7,000+ years of Chinese art — bronze, ceramics, calligraphy |
| Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street | 1–2 hours | 40 min metro | China's #1 shopping street. International brands + local snacks |
| Xintiandi & French Concession | 2–4 hours | 50 min metro | Shikumen architecture, Michelin restaurants, cocktail bars, tree-lined streets |
| Yu Garden (Yuyuan) | 1–2 hours | 40 min metro | 400-year Ming Dynasty garden + bustling bazaar |
| Shanghai Tower Observation Deck | 1 hour | 45 min metro | 632m — world's 2nd tallest building. 360° city view at 118th floor |
| Zhujiajiao Water Town | 3–4 hours | 15 min from NECC | 1,700-year canal town. Closest heritage site to NECC — perfect half-day trip |
| Suzhou (Day Trip) | Full day | 30 min train | UNESCO gardens, silk museum, canal district. High-speed rail from Hongqiao Station |
★ The Hidden Gem: Zhujiajiao Water Town
Just 15 minutes from NECC by taxi or metro, Zhujiajiao is a 1,700-year-old canal town with Ming-Qing bridges, stone lanes, and riverside teahouses. If you have a free afternoon between exhibit visits, this is the most time-efficient cultural experience near the expo. Entry ¥80, open 8:00–17:00.
Best Time Strategy — Daily Schedule Template
| Day | Morning (8–12) | Afternoon (12–17) | Evening (17–21) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1: Nov 6 | Badge pickup + hall orientation walk | Priority exhibitor meetings (pre-booked) | Xintiandi dinner + French Concession walk |
| Day 2: Nov 7 | Food & Agri hall (85,000 m²) — tastings & samples | Technical Equipment — AI/robotics demos | Bund sunset walk + rooftop bar |
| Day 3: Nov 8 | Consumer Goods + Medical halls | Matchmaking meetings / Innovation Incubation | Shanghai Museum + Nanjing Road |
| Day 4: Nov 9 | Service Trade / Auto hall | Zhujiajiao water town half-day trip | Michelin dinner (reserve 2 weeks ahead) |
| Day 5: Nov 10 | Final meetings + follow-up contacts | NECC souvenir shopping + closing ceremony | Departure or Suzhou day trip extension |
Packing Checklist for CIIE
- Passport — required for badge pickup, hotel check-in, and metro station ID checks
- CIIE badge / confirmation email — printed backup in case phone dies
- 200–300 business cards — Chinese side in simplified Chinese if possible
- Comfortable shoes — 367,000 m² means 5–8 km of walking daily
- Power bank — CIIE app, Baidu Maps, Alipay all drain battery fast
- Alipay + WeChat — set up before arrival, bind foreign Visa/Mastercard
- International credit cards — Visa/Mastercard/JCB as backup payment
- ¥1,000–2,000 cash (RMB) — for small purchases, taxis, street food
- Light jacket — November in Shanghai: 8–18°C, humid, occasional rain
- Umbrella / raincoat — Shanghai November averages 6 rainy days
- Phone with VPN — Google, Gmail, WhatsApp blocked in China. Set up before arrival
- Hotel address in Chinese — screenshot for taxi drivers who don't speak English
10 Practical Tips from CIIE Veterans
- Register by September 1 — early registrants get priority matchmaking slots and earlier badge delivery
- Use Line 17, not Line 2 during morning peak — Line 2 from Pudong is packed by 8 AM. Transfer via Line 10 at Hongqiao Railway Station → Line 17 to NECC instead
- Carry your badge at all times — metro priority exits, free Bus 71, and hotel shuttles all require badge display
- Pre-book matchmaking meetings on the CIIE Online Platform — walk-in meetings are nearly impossible with 3,000+ exhibitors
- Start at 9 AM, leave by 3 PM — halls are quiet mornings, packed afternoons. Do priority meetings early, tourism after 3 PM
- Eat inside NECC food courts — 30+ brands, ¥30–80 meals. Outside restaurants near NECC are limited and overpriced during CIIE
- Bring bilingual business cards — Chinese-language side dramatically increases response rates from Chinese procurement teams
- Visit Innovation Incubation Zone — 5,000 m² of startups. This is where tomorrow's disruptors debut — often more valuable than big-brand halls
- Reserve Michelin dinners 2+ weeks ahead — Shanghai's 50+ Michelin-listed restaurants are fully booked during CIIE week. Book before October 15
- Add Suzhou as a post-CIIE day trip — 30 min by high-speed rail from Hongqiao Station. UNESCO gardens, silk culture, and canal walks. Perfect decompression after 5 expo days
Frequently Asked Questions
Can foreign nationals attend the CIIE?
Yes. Overseas professional visitors from enterprises, government organs, public institutions, and social organizations outside mainland China can register online at www.ciie.org. All registration must be completed before October 20, 2026 — no on-site registration is available.
How much does a CIIE visitor certificate cost?
¥200 per person for full access (November 6–10) or ¥100 per person for partial access (November 8–10 only). Payment accepted via UnionPay, WeChat Pay, Alipay, Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Diners Club, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. Payment deadline: October 23, 2026.
How do I get a visa invitation letter for the CIIE?
After completing registration on www.ciie.org, log in and click "Apply Invitation Letter" under Personnel Certificates. Once approved, download the letter. Use it for M-visa applications at Chinese embassies, or combine it with 240-hour transit visa exemption for short visits.
Which visa option is best for attending the CIIE?
For citizens of 54+ eligible countries, the 240-hour transit visa exemption is simplest — no embassy visit required, enter via Shanghai ports, stay up to 10 days. For longer stays or ineligible countries, apply for an M-visa using the CIIE invitation letter. Processing typically takes 3–5 business days.
How do I get to the NECC from Shanghai airports?
Pudong Airport: Metro Line 2 direct to NECC Station (~90 min) or Maglev to Longyang Road + Line 2 (~55 min). Hongqiao Airport: Metro Line 10 to Hongqiao Railway Station, transfer to Line 17 to NECC Station (~30 min). Both airports also have taxi options — ¥150–200 from Hongqiao, ¥250–350 from Pudong.
Can I use foreign credit cards at the CIIE?
Yes. Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Diners Club, and UnionPay are accepted at NECC food courts, retail stalls, and payment terminals. For broader coverage across Shanghai, bind your foreign Visa/Mastercard to Alipay or WeChat Pay — this covers 90%+ of all merchants including taxis, metro, and street vendors.
What is the difference between the CIIE and Canton Fair?
The CIIE focuses on imports into China — overseas companies selling to Chinese buyers. The Canton Fair focuses on exports from China — Chinese manufacturers selling to overseas buyers. CIIE is 6 days in Shanghai (November), Canton Fair is 15 days in Guangzhou (April/October). If you want to enter the Chinese market, attend CIIE. If you want to source from Chinese factories, attend Canton Fair.
Is November a good time to visit Shanghai?
November is ideal — Shanghai averages 8–18°C, lower humidity than summer, fewer crowds than October golden week. Fall foliage along the French Concession streets is stunning. Pack a light jacket and umbrella for occasional rain. It's also Michelin restaurant season — chefs debut new menus for CIIE week.
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