Chinese New Year causes 1-4 week factory shutdowns, port congestion, and labor gaps. Importers should place orders 2-3 months before CNY, approve samples early, confirm production schedules in writing, and build safety stock for key SKUs to avoid delays.
Chinese New Year (CNY) is much more than a holiday—it's the largest annual human migration on Earth, and one of the most influential events for global supply chains.
For importers, understanding its cultural significance is key. But even more important is knowing how CNY disrupts production, labor availability and logistics across China and surrounding countries.
This guide explains what the holiday means and how it impacts your sourcing timeline.
What Is Chinese New Year?
Chinese New Year marks the beginning of the Lunar New Year, celebrated with:
- family gatherings
- fireworks
- red lanterns and envelopes
- temple rituals
- city-wide festivities
Factories and offices close so workers can return to their hometowns—often traveling thousands of kilometers.
Learn more about the festival here:
Chinese New Year Guide
How Chinese New Year Impacts Manufacturing
1. Full Factory Shutdowns (1–4 Weeks)
Most factories close one week before the official holiday and reopen 2–3 weeks after.
During this time:
- Production stops completely
- Quality checks pause
- Communication slows
- No samples are produced
2. Pre-Holiday Production Rush
Factories experience:
- Overloaded production lines
- Reduced quality consistency
- Higher defect rates
- Longer lead times
Importers should avoid placing last-minute orders in December or January.
3. Post-Holiday Labor Gap
Some workers do not return after traveling home.
This causes:
- delays restarting production
- temporary labor shortages
- longer ramp-up times
Shipping and Logistics Impact
The logistics system is also under pressure:
- Early port congestion
- Container shortages
- Increased freight prices
- Booking delays
Planning ahead is essential.
How Importers Should Prepare
To avoid disruptions:
- Place orders 2–3 months before CNY
- Approve samples earlier than usual
- Confirm production schedules in writing
- Adjust your annual buying calendar
- Build safety stock for key SKUs
This ensures operations remain stable.
¿Necesita planificar su abastecimiento considerando el Año Nuevo Chino?
Evite riesgos y obtenga mejores precios con nuestros expertos en abastecimiento.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to common questions about this topic
Most factories close 1 week before the holiday and reopen 2-3 weeks after, totaling 3-4 weeks of downtime. During this period, production stops completely.
Place orders 2-3 months before CNY, approve samples earlier than usual, confirm production schedules in writing, and build safety stock for key SKUs.
Yes. Before CNY there's port congestion, container shortages, increased freight prices, and booking delays. Plan shipments to depart before the rush or after factories fully restart.