Now staging its fourth edition, the International Carpet and Flooring Expo (ICFE) is due back at İstanbul Expo Center from January 6 to 9, 2027. Its organisers hope to assemble more than 500 exhibiting firms and approximately 35,000 trade visitors spanning over 150 countries, generating fresh openings for trade and collaboration between nations.
Istanbul, Türkiye: The International Carpet and Flooring Expo (ICFE) 2027 is booked into the Istanbul Fair Center (İFM) for January 6 to 9, 2027. Responsibility for organising it rests with Tüyap Fairs and Exhibitions Organization Inc., while support is provided by the Southeastern Anatolia Carpet Exporters Association (GAHIB) and the İstanbul Carpet Exporters Association (IHIB).
Wholesalers, manufacturers and importers will travel to Istanbul alongside architects, chain store buyers and interior designers, as the show marries Türkiye’s worldwide prowess in producing carpets with international commerce.
A trading centre for the carpet world
Overseas buyers will get to weigh up the production capabilities of Türkiye, its flair for design and its strategic location, while for exhibitors the show opens a route into fresh markets, new export ties and partnerships worldwide.
Exhibitor numbers at ICFE 2027 are projected to top 500, and approximately 35,000 people are forecast to visit from more than 150 countries.
Professional buyers whose home markets rank among the most significant for carpets and floor coverings, namely Germany, Italy, China, India, Belgium, the USA, Russia, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Morocco and Central Asian countries, should open fresh commercial channels with exhibitors during the show.
Istanbul’s position adds weight to trade
Linking the continents of Europe and Asia, Istanbul is equipped with advanced transportation and logistics infrastructure, boosting ICFE’s standing internationally.
Given the sheer number of direct flights serving the city, industry professionals worldwide will find attending straightforward, and exhibitors can reach buyers from many markets without leaving one venue.
Lower customs duty eases entry for foreign exhibitors
To give the exhibition a lift and attract more foreign participants, the Directorate General of Customs, which operates under the Republic of Türkiye’s Ministry of Trade, has issued an important new rule. In line with Türkiye’s customs legislation, foreign exhibitors shipping goods to the event used to face a temporary customs duty levied at 100%, measured against their FOB (Free on Board) value. The rate is now 10%, solely for ICFE 2027.
Prepared in wide-ranging consultation with industry representatives and the public bodies concerned, the measure should lift a considerable share of the cost from international companies displaying high-value products. More nations taking part and extra cross-border trade at the show are also likely.
Design and ideas share the stage
ICFE 2027 will look beyond buying and selling too, with events geared towards helping the sector develop, spurring innovation and spreading expertise.
Following the considerable interest it generated at earlier editions, Carpet Talks will reunite prominent figures from the industry to explore design, production, branding and sectoral transformation.
Innovative carpet designs will be given worldwide exposure by the Carpet Design Awards, so that industry professionals can discover original work. The Carpet Workshop, in turn, will see designers of various nationalities team up on production as part of a special concept intended to inspire visitors.
Opening business links across the trade
The trade platform at ICFE 2027 will help manufacturers, exporters, importers, distributors, wholesalers, chain stores, architects, interior designers, decorators and other professionals across the sector pursue new business opportunities.
Once there, participants can be introduced to suppliers they have not dealt with before, stay on top of emerging industry trends, arrange B2B meetings and grow their international business networks.
The preceding edition hosted 445 exhibitors, and its 31,410 visitors travelled from 127 countries. Now ICFE 2027 aims to climb higher among leading global carpet and flooring events by drawing broader participation and raising its visibility around the world.
