Chinese New Year Will Be Here Sooner Than You Think

Christmas may still be ahead of us, but businesses importing from China should already be looking beyond the festive season.

Chinese New Year falls on 6 February 2027, eleven days earlier than in 2026, leaving a shorter window to get shipments moving before the annual shutdown.

New Year’s Eve falls on Friday 5 February, with factories expected to be closed by then and many likely to be winding down during that week. Production often takes time to recover after the celebrations and the eight day holiday usually creates at least a 2-3 week lag.

The build-up is traditionally hectic, as importers rush to move goods before factories close and with this year’s celebrations coming early, January is likely to be particularly busy. The inevitable blank sailing programmes around the holiday period will also reduce available capacity and departures.

Importers should be aware of several factors that may lead to disruptions around Chinese New Year:

• Supply chain disruption: Factory and business closures interrupt production and the movement of goods.
• Shipping delays: Reduced operations and blank sailings limit departures during and around the holiday.
• Port delays: A surge in cargo before the shutdown can create congestion and longer processing times.
• Last-minute pressure: Exporters rush to complete orders and meet final shipping deadlines, creating a surge.
• Labour shortages: Workers often leave early to visit family, with staffing levels taking time to recover afterwards.
• Equipment shortages: Increased demand can make containers harder to secure before and after the holiday.
• Short Shipments: leaving bookings to the last week raises this risk due to the limited holiday schedules.
• Higher shipping costs: Strong demand for space, combined with fewer sailings, can put upward pressure on freight rates.

Planning ahead gives businesses more options. Now is a good time to speak with suppliers about production deadlines, confirm cargo readiness dates and review stock requirements to cover both the shutdown and the subsequent restart. Wherever possible, booking freight early will help avoid a last-minute scramble for space, although factory completion dates and sailing schedules still need careful coordination.

The celebrations will welcome the Year of the Fire Goat, also known as the Sheep or Ram, replacing the outgoing Year of the Fire Horse. In Chinese tradition, people born under the Goat sign are associated with creativity, kindness and compassion, with the Fire element adding passion, confidence and enthusiasm.

Westbound’s team can help you plan your shipments around the holiday disruption. Contact us early to discuss your requirements and get preparations under way before January’s rush.