A fourth edition of the International Carpet and Flooring Expo (ICFE) opens at İstanbul Expo Center, with the show held January 6 to 9, 2027. Some 35,000 people working in the trade, representing more than 150 countries, should meet over 500 exhibitors there, creating fresh scope for global commerce and joint ventures.
Istanbul, Türkiye: The International Carpet and Flooring Expo (ICFE) 2027 has been scheduled for January 6 to 9, 2027, at the Istanbul Fair Center (İFM). Tüyap Fairs and Exhibitions Organization Inc. is responsible for staging it, with support provided by the İstanbul Carpet Exporters Association (IHIB) together with the Southeastern Anatolia Carpet Exporters Association (GAHIB).
In Istanbul, Türkiye’s worldwide reputation as a carpet producer will meet cross-border commerce, with wholesalers, importers and manufacturers attending alongside architects, chain stores and interior designers.
Carpet business on a global scale
Buyers arriving from abroad will be able to assess Türkiye’s production capacity, design skills and strategic position at first hand. Exhibitors, meanwhile, can expect to enter unfamiliar markets, secure export contacts and lay the ground for global partnerships.
Over 500 companies are due to exhibit at ICFE 2027, and the organisers anticipate roughly 35,000 visitors travelling in from more than 150 countries.
During the show, exhibitors should forge fresh trading relationships with professional buyers who represent major markets for carpeting and floor coverings, such as Germany, Italy, China, India, Belgium, the USA, Russia, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Morocco and Central Asian countries.
Geography gives Istanbul an edge
Istanbul, a crossroads linking Europe and Asia, has modern transport and logistics systems that help make ICFE attractive to an international audience.
Direct flights connect the city to a wide range of destinations, so professionals from any part of the globe can get to the fair easily and exhibitors can access several markets under one roof.
Customs relief for overseas participants
Supporting the exhibition and drawing participants from abroad are the aims of a significant measure from the Directorate General of Customs, attached to Türkiye’s Ministry of Trade. Türkiye’s customs legislation had charged international exhibitors a temporary customs duty amounting to 100% of the FOB (Free on Board) value of goods shipped in for the event; for ICFE 2027 alone, it is now 10%.
Relevant public authorities and industry representatives worked together extensively on the rule, which should considerably lessen costs for foreign companies displaying high-value goods. It is further predicted to widen the range of countries taking part and to boost the volume of international business at the exhibition.
A programme built around design and ideas
Trade will not be the only focus at ICFE 2027, which also has events lined up to support innovation, industry growth and knowledge sharing.
Prominent industry names will be reunited at Carpet Talks, a strand of the programme that drew wide interest at past editions, to discuss branding, sectoral transformation, design and production.
An international showcase for inventive carpet designs comes through the Carpet Design Awards, putting original creations before sector professionals. Visitors can also find inspiration at the Carpet Workshop, where a special concept has designers of different nationalities producing pieces together.
A meeting ground for the whole trade
New business opportunities await manufacturers, exporters, importers, distributors, wholesalers, chain stores, architects, interior designers, decorators and other professionals across the sector, for whom ICFE 2027 will act as a trade platform.
Those who attend can get acquainted with new suppliers, monitor industry trends as they emerge, sit down for B2B meetings and extend their business contacts internationally.
The last edition counted 31,410 visitors, who came from 127 countries, along with 445 exhibitors. Looking to build on that result, ICFE 2027 hopes to rank even more firmly among the leading global fairs for carpets and flooring by drawing more participants and raising its profile abroad.
