CILF - CHINA INTERNATIONAL LOGISTICS AND TRANSPORTATION FAIR

About the fair

The China (Shenzhen) International Logistics and Supply Chain Fair (CILF), which debuted in 2006, has been held successfully for 15 consecutive years alongside the China (Shenzhen) International Cross-Border E-Commerce Supply Chain Fair (CIE), with both events earning a strong reputation. CILF & CIE is a professional, effective, reliable and broad exchange platform for all participants in logistics, transport and related industries worldwide, attracting many renowned international firms to exhibit and further promote the international influence of China's logistics industry. CILF & CIE takes place at the Shenzhen exhibition centre and is expected to host around 1,800 exhibitors from more than 50 countries and 140,000 visitors from over 80 states and regions.

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.