Editor's note: As the 7th China International Import Expo approaches, the International Services Shanghai presents a special column, CIIE at Your Service. This series offers practical guides to enhance your CIIE experience, covering everything from event registration and customs clearance to payment solutions and dining options. This first installation focuses on buyer registration.

The China International Import Expo, or CIIE, is your gateway to discovering new global business opportunities. If you're planning to attend as an individual buyer, follow this simple guide to complete your registration and be ready for the event happening from Nov 5 to 10.

The deadline for registration is Oct 20. Please register and finish payment before the deadline.

Step 1: Visit the CIIE official website

Go to the CIIE official website (https://www.ciie.org/zbh/en/) and click on Business Exhibition, then select Sign In to access the Buyer section.

Step 2: Register as an individual buyer

Click Individual Buyers and fill in your username along with the SMS verification code you'll receive. Don't forget to tick the box confirming that you've read and agreed to the privacy policy before completing the registration.

Step 3: Proceed without an invitation code

If you don't have an invitation code, just click "No invitation code" to proceed. You'll still be able to attend the event from Nov 9 to 10.

Step 4: Select your region

Choose "Other countries or regions" when prompted, and then move on to the next step.

Step 5: Fill in the required information

Complete all the fields, especially those marked with an asterisk (*), which are mandatory. Once everything is filled in, click "NEXT STEP" to continue.

Step 6: Choose your interests

Now it's time to select the industries and products that interest you the most. This will help you make the most of your time at the expo. When you're done, click "NEXT STEP".

Step 7: Upload your documents

Here's what you need to upload:

- A passport-style photo (white or blue background, JPG format, 3:4 ratio, at least 480x640 pixels, and under 1MB).

- Your preferred exhibition dates and areas of interest. Please note that the single-day entry fee is 50 yuan (about $7).

- A scanned copy of your passport's information page.

- Your delivery address in the Chinese mainland.

Once you've checked everything, click "SUBMIT".

Step 8: Complete your payment

To finish the registration, scan the QR code provided and follow the payment instructions. After making the payment, your registration will be confirmed, and you'll be all set for CIIE 2024!