HCC CHINA

About the fair

HCC — the China Household Cleaning, Washing and Personal Care Expo — takes place at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC) in Shanghai, China. As a leading exhibition for the household-goods and daily-necessities industry and one of the largest trade shows in the sector, it aims to build a single industry trade platform supporting the development of China's consumer-goods industry. More than 1,200 exhibitors with over 5,000 brands present their latest products and services; an impressive 80,000 visitors are expected across an extensive 100,000 sq m, providing a grand stage for displays and interaction. HCC offers an unprecedented chance to connect with a wide range of market leaders and innovators.

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.