CHINA LICENSING EXPO

About the fair

China Licensing Expo (CLE) is the largest and most effective licensing event in Asia, widely recognized as the most effective channel for understanding the licensing market, promoting brands and expanding the licensing business in China and Asia. For more than a decade CLE has witnessed the growth of China's licensing industry. This year CLE reached 40,000 sq m of exhibition space, with over 350 exhibitors presenting more than 1,800 brands — international brands accounting for over 80% — from world-class licensors to new properties, with 40% being first-time participants. CLE is held concurrently with China Toy Expo, China Kids Expo and China Preschool Expo.

Manufacturers making what this fair covers

Factories in our directory whose product lines match this fair. Worth contacting before you book the trip — or instead of it.

Planning the trip

• Register the badge online. Every major fair issues visitor badges in advance, and on-site registration means queueing on the busiest morning of the show. Registration usually opens one to two months out.
• Check the visa position early. China's entry rules have changed repeatedly in recent years, including visa-free arrangements for a growing list of countries and transit exemptions. Confirm what applies to your passport for this month, and ask the organiser for an invitation letter if a business visa is needed — issuing one is routine.
• Book accommodation before the dates firm up. A large fair fills its host city and rates move accordingly. Cancellable bookings made early cost less than confirmed ones made late.
• Decide which halls before you arrive. The bigger Chinese fairs run to several halls across separate phases, and walking them without a plan burns a day. Shortlist the stands you need and treat anything else as a bonus.
• Plan the follow-up, not just the visit. Business cards collected at a fair convert poorly once you fly home: quotes arrive in patchy English, samples stall, and the time difference eats a day per exchange. Deciding who handles that before you travel is what makes the trip pay for itself.