Lunar New Year 2026, also known as Chinese New Year or the Spring Festival, is right around the corner. For importers and exporters, the holiday means limited operations, labor shortages, and delayed shipping.
Keep reading to learn about:
- The effects of the Lunar New Year on shipping
- How long Lunar New Year affects shipping
- How to prepare your shipments for any Lunar New Year shipping delays
What does this mean for Lunar New Year 2026 specifically?
Beyond general holiday disruptions, we dug into Freightos Marketplace data for a closer look at how this year’s shipping season is unfolding – and what that could mean for planning. Learn more about:
Booking activity so far: early signals and whether the peak is still ahead
Lunar New Year 2026 shipping timeline: expected slowdowns and cutoff windows
When is Lunar New Year in 2026?
In China, Lunar New Year is one of the most significant festivals of the year, marked by a two-week-long celebratory period. Like Golden Week, many people travel to visit their families.
The holiday typically begins in late January-early February, with exact dates varying according to the lunar calendar. In 2026, Lunar New Year falls on February 17th. Festivities run for around two weeks, with the first seven days considered a public holiday. The Lantern Festival, which marks the end of the period, will be on March 3rd, 2026.
Be aware that preparations for the holiday typically begin three weeks before the actual dates.
How long does Lunar New Year affect shipping?
Here’s what the period of Lunar New Year 2026 looks like:
| Mid January | Production begins to slow down at factories |
| Late January | Factories begin stopping manufacturing; peak export rush at major Chinese ports to ship out goods |
| Early-Mid February | Workers start to leave for the holidays; ports have limited operational capacity |
| February 17-23 | Lunar New Year holiday week |
| Late February – Mid March | Workers start returning to factories and ports* |
* It takes approximately 1-2 weeks for operations to return to normal levels.
The effects of Lunar New Year on shipping
China is a significant hub for imports and exports, especially ocean freight shipping. As a result, slowdowns in China affect the global supply chain network.
During the new year celebrations, ports, factories, and shipping companies limit operations, with some even halting activities altogether. This means supply chain disruptions:
- High shipment volumes before the holidays
- Increased rates due to limited capacity
- Longer wait times or lack of availability for containers
- Increased costs for importers and exporters such as demurrage and detention
- Worker shortages, leading to delivery delays and less customer service availability
How to prepare your shipments for Lunar New Year
Understand your supply chain needs
Get a clear picture of your shipping requirements and average transit times. Then, plan your shipments in advance wherever possible to prevent delays.
Use data to keep your inventory stocked
Review your past customer behavior and orders during the Lunar New Year season. Use this data to predict how much inventory you need and try to stock up on what you need in advance.
Split your goods into multiple small shipments
If you need to ship a container’s worth of goods around Lunar New Year, consider dividing your shipment into multiple deliveries instead, using different LCL shipments with separate bills of lading. This minimizes the risks of shipping delays in case one of the containers or carriers is running late.
5 tips to avoid shipping delays during Lunar New Year 2026
Even with advance planning, last-minute shipping needs can still arise. Here’s how to navigate the season and keep your goods moving:
Work with multiple logistics partners
Working with multiple service providers can help reduce bottlenecks and increase your business operational efficiency. This is especially true during the holiday season when you might find that some providers are booked or delayed.
Use multiple shipping modes
If you usually ship ocean freight, consider alternate modes such as air or rail if possible. Even better, use a combination of different modes. Shipping your freight in different ways helps move goods faster during peak season.
Choose ports with less congestion
If your destination port faces holiday congestion, consider alternate ports with lower congestion or import volumes. A longer route may actually be faster during high-traffic seasons.
Use different container types
20ft containers are the most commonly booked shipping containers. If possible, ship your goods with other containers such as 40ft, high cube, or side-door containers. These containers may offer lower rates than usual.
Keep a “just-in-case” budget
Whenever you’re shipping, delays can happen, and this is especially true during holiday seasons. Budget for additional freight costs to hit your inventory goals during these periods.
READ MORE: Exporting from China and Importing to the US: A Guide
