The China Small and Medium-Sized Factory Exhibition 2026

Attendees, exhibitors & solutions

Who this event is for

Industry trends

Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.

Hotel tiers

A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.

Local transport

Get around the city with these convenient transport options.

Frequently asked

Glossary

1

FOB (Free On Board)

An Incoterm where the seller delivers goods on board the vessel at the named Chinese port, after which freight, insurance and risk pass to the buyer. Most Ningbo factory quotations to overseas buyers are quoted FOB Ningbo or FOB Shanghai, so ask which port and which Incoterm sits behind every price you collect on the stand.

2

EXW (Ex Works)

The buyer collects from the supplier's factory gate and carries all export clearance, inland haulage and freight. EXW looks cheapest on a quotation sheet but usually understates total landed cost; compare it against FOB before deciding.

3

MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity)

The smallest order a factory will accept for a given specification, often expressed per colour, per size or per SKU. At Chinese sourcing shows MOQ is negotiable for first orders, so ask for both the standard MOQ and a trial-order MOQ.

4

OEM and ODM

OEM means the factory builds to your design and brand; ODM means you buy the factory's existing design and apply your branding. Knowing which model a stand offers tells you how much tooling cost, development time and exclusivity to expect.

5

HS code

The Harmonized System classification number that determines Chinese export documentation and your import duty rate. Confirm the HS code with the supplier before leaving the booth - it is the single most common cause of clearance delays on the destination side.

6

Proforma invoice (PI)

The supplier's formal quotation document covering specification, quantity, unit price, Incoterm, payment terms and lead time; it is normally required for the buyer's bank transfer and for an import licence application. Ask for it by e-mail before you leave the show, not after.

7

Sample order

A small paid order for physical evaluation before mass production. Budget for samples in Ningbo separately from your sourcing budget and confirm who pays courier and whether sample cost is credited against the bulk order.

8

Freight forwarder

The logistics intermediary that books sea or air freight, handles export declaration and delivers to your door. Ningbo-Zhoushan Port is one of the world's largest cargo ports, so forwarders quoting ex-Ningbo can offer dense consolidation schedules.

9

LCL and FCL

Less than Container Load means your cargo shares a container with other shippers and is charged per cubic metre; Full Container Load means you book the whole box. First orders from a show are usually LCL, which is why consolidation timing matters.

10

CIQ and customs declaration

China Inspection and Quarantine plus the export customs declaration process. Your forwarder normally lodges these, but suppliers must provide accurate product descriptions, weights and packaging data beforehand.

11

Factory audit

An inspection of a supplier's premises, equipment, quality system and workforce, usually by a third-party inspector. If a booth passes your paper screening, book the audit for the day after the show rather than a separate trip.

12

Sourcing agent

An independent local intermediary who checks suppliers, negotiates prices, consolidates orders and inspects goods before shipment. Useful when you are placing several small trial orders across different Ningbo factories in one trip.

13

Invitation letter

An organiser or supplier letter confirming your business purpose and show participation, commonly requested for a Chinese M (business) visa application. Request it well ahead of your visa appointment.

14

M visa

China's business visa category for commercial and trade activities such as attending a trade fair or negotiating contracts; it does not authorise paid employment. Requirements and validity depend on nationality and consulate, so verify with the Chinese embassy or visa centre.

15

Ningbo-Zhoushan Port

The deep-water port complex serving Ningbo, consistently ranked among the busiest in the world by cargo tonnage. Ask suppliers which port terminal they ship from, because it affects inland haulage cost and cut-off dates.

16

WeChat and Alipay

China's dominant mobile payment apps, used for everything from taxis to booth deposits. International cards can be linked, but set this up and test it before you arrive rather than at a supplier's counter.