Chinese New Year (CNY) 2026 marks a critical period for global trade and supply chains. While the official holiday is just one week, the real effects on manufacturing and logistics begin weeks before and can extend into March. Here are the key insights and practical steps to help you maintain a smooth global supply chain during this period.
When is the Chinese New Year 2026?
Chinese New Year 2026, also known as the Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, will take place on February 17, 2026. It marks Lunar New Year’s Day.
Official public CNY holiday:
- February 15–23, 2026, in mainland China
However, for logistics and manufacturing, the impact goes well beyond the official dates.
Typical factory and logistics timeline:
- Pre-holiday ramp-down: Late January to early February 2026
- Full shutdowns: 1–3 weeks around CNY (varies by region and industry)
- Post-holiday recovery: Late February to mid-March 2026
Many factories stop accepting new orders 10–14 days before the holiday. After reopening, labor shortages slow production and trucking availability. Consequently, the shipping time during the Chinese New Year 2026 can stretch by 2–4 weeks if not planned carefully.
How the Chinese New Year 2026 affects shipping
Ocean freight impacts
- Blank sailings and voided vessel schedules
- Reduced weekly capacity on Asia–Europe and Transpacific routes
- Booking lead times extend to 30–60+ days
- Higher risk of rollovers and port congestion
Air freight impacts
- Cargo capacity reduced as factories close and passenger flights adjust
- Rates often spike 20–50% pre-CNY
- Earlier cut-off times at major airports
Road & rail impacts
- Inland trucking shortages as drivers return home
- Equipment imbalances (containers, chassis)
- Slower rail departures on China–Europe corridors
Specialized cargo constraints
- Oversized/heavy-lift: Permit offices close; must secure approvals early
- Refrigerated cargo: Limited plug availability at ports
- Dangerous goods: Stricter cut-offs and reduced acceptance windows
In short, during Chinese New Year 2026, shipping capacity is expected to drop while demand spikes, making early planning essential.
What happens to freight rates?
During the Chinese New Year 2026 shipping cost cycles, three cost drivers dominate:
- Spot rate volatility: Ocean carriers reduce sailings, sharply tightening available capacity
- Peak Season Surcharges (PSS): Commonly applied from December through February
- Detention and demurrage risks: Cargo delays at origin or destination increase storage and equipment fees
As a result, ocean freight rates typically rise 10–30% ahead of the holiday, while air freight rates can spike even higher for time-critical shipments. Additionally, post-holiday congestion can extend costs into March.
Contingency strategies that work
However, even with planning, disruptions are unavoidable. Intelligent shippers prepare alternatives.
- Partial shipments: Ship critical or fast-moving SKUs before the holiday, while lower-priority cargo moves post-CNY.
- Mode shifting: Still use ocean freight for bulk cargo; book air freight for urgent or high-margin goods.
- Alternative ports: Consider secondary ports or alternative transshipment hubs to bypass congestion at major gateways.
- Supplier alignment: Advance production schedules where possible. For specialized cargo, obtain permits and approvals well in advance of
- Consolidation: Combine orders to improve load efficiency and secure priority space.
Finally, secure space through carrier allocations and maintain close communication with suppliers and forwarders to stabilize shipping costs and schedule risks.
Shipper’s 60/30/14/7 day checklist
60 days before CNY (Mid-December 2025)
- Forecast Q1 demand and lock production plans
- Confirm supplier shutdown dates
- Pre-book core ocean freight allocations
30 days before CNY (Mid-January 2026)
- Finalize cargo readiness dates
- Confirm sailing schedules and cut-offs
- Review alternative routing options
14 days before CNY (Early February 2026)
- Dispatch priority shipments
- Verify export customs clearance
- Secure air freight contingency space
7 days before CNY
- Ship only confirmed, ready cargo
- Freeze non-essential bookings
- Monitor port and carrier advisories
During CNY
- Focus on tracking in-transit shipments
- Expect slower updates and longer ETAs
Post CNY
- Confirm supplier restart dates
- Monitor backlog and adjust delivery plans accordingly
Other Lunar New Year celebrations in East Asia (2026)
- Vietnam (Tết): Begins on 17 February 2026. Typical factory and logistics shutdowns last 7–10 days, with production slowing from late January.
- South Korea (Seollal): Observed 16–18 February 2026. Expect 3–5 days of reduced trucking, customs, and warehouse operations.
- Taiwan & Hong Kong: Public holidays generally fall on 17–19 February 2026, with reduced port and inland logistics capacity.
Final takeaway
Chinese New Year 2026 will strain capacity, extend lead times, and increase costs. With clear supplier communication and robust contingency planning, you can manage disruption and costly delays.
With Airsupply’s integrated supply chain capabilities, we aim to help keep your operations running smoothly throughout the year.
