Wednesday, October 1st marks China’s official National Day, commemorating the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949.

Celebrated across the mainland, Hong Kong, and Macau, the occasion sees streets, public squares, and landmarks decorated with flags and flowers.

The holiday also marks the start of Golden Week an eight-day public holiday this year running from October 1st through October 8th. It is one of the busiest travel periods in the world, with hundreds of millions of Chinese nationals making journeys to reunite with families.

For businesses engaged in global trade, Golden Week brings significant disruption:

  • Factory closures across China halt production for the duration of the holiday.

  • Exports are delayed, typically creating a backlog that lasts well into mid-October.

  • Carriers blank sailings or restructure schedules due to the sharp dip in cargo availability.

  • Importers worldwide should expect delays and a potential tightening of space immediately before and after the holiday.

As with every year, we recommend importers and supply chain managers plan shipments early to avoid congestion and to factor in potential delays both before and after the holiday period.

Westbound’s Chinese offices will be closed during the below dates, with limited emergency contacts available:

  • Mainland China: October 1st – October 8th

If you have any questions regarding the above, then Westbound are here to help. So, please do not hesitate to contact us.