Chinese New Year Is Coming: Why Export Delays Happen Every Single Year

Every year, as Chinese New Year (CNY) approaches, global supply chains experience a familiar disruption: delayed exports, longer lead times, and temporary production shutdowns. For many businesses—especially those sourcing from China—this period can feel unpredictable. In reality, the causes are structural, recurring, and largely unavoidable.

BUYER GUIDES & COST CONTROL

1/13/20261 min read

yellow sunflower field during daytime
yellow sunflower field during daytime

As the Lunar New Year approaches, please consider this issue that catches many companies off guard every year.

If you source products from China or manage international shipping, this holiday means more than just a few days off. It often creates a ripple effect, impacting production schedules, shipping capacity, and costs, and the effects extend far beyond the official holiday period.

Factories Reduce Production in Advance

Many factory workers travel long distances to return home for the New Year, so production may slow down or even stop one to two weeks before the official start of the holiday. (Estimated factory holiday dates for 2026: February 1st/10th - March 1st). After the holiday, due to varying return times for workers, it may take several weeks for factories to resume full production.

Shipping Congestion Increases

In the weeks leading up to the Lunar New Year, many companies rush to ship goods before factories shut down. This puts pressure on ports, carriers, and container supply, often leading to delays and extended transit times.

Shipping Costs Often Rise

When demand surges and capacity is tight, freight rates and surcharges tend to increase. These higher costs may occur before the holiday and during the post-holiday recovery period.

Have you successfully planned for the Lunar New Year? Or have your shipments experienced longer delays than expected?