Chinese New Year is not only a major cultural event, but also a critical turning point for global logistics. Across China and much of the Asia-Pacific region, industrial activity is interrupted for several weeks. During the holiday period, many factories and offices close, while production slows significantly.
According to logistics provider Dachser, suppliers in China typically begin scaling back operations one to two weeks before the official start of the holiday. While the statutory break lasts around a week, many factories remain closed for up to a month or longer.
The real impact, however, goes beyond factory shutdowns. As many workers travel long distances to their hometowns, the return to normal operations is gradual. Röhlig Suus describes this phase as a “gradual restart”, which is often only completed several weeks after the official holiday period ends.
Customs agency AC Porath also highlights the extended nature of the disruption. Although the official holidays run from 17 February to 3 March 2026, the company warns that the standstill in supply chains can last for up to six to eight weeks.
Transport and handling: up to two months of restricted operations
Transport capacity is expected to be noticeably constrained as export activity from China drops sharply. Dachser notes that, during this period, forwarders deploy fewer transport capacities to and from China, which directly affects schedules. Röhlig Suus adds that the impact can extend for up to two months, driven by a combination of pre-holiday pull-forward effects and a slow return to normal operations.
“During this period, not only are factories shut down, but port operations also slow down,” says Joanna Porath, Managing Director of AC Porath. The last containers are expected to leave Chinese terminals around 10 February. Shipments dispatched after that date are likely to arrive only in the second half of March or at the beginning of April.
What companies should do now
For European companies that rely on imports from China and the wider Asia-Pacific region, January is the key preparation window. To minimise disruption and safeguard supply in the first quarter of the year, logistics and customs specialists recommend the following measures:
- Secure transport capacity early: Ocean freight should be booked at least four to six weeks before the holiday, while air freight requires one to two weeks’ advance planning.
- Build inventory strategically: To bridge production shutdowns, companies are advised to increase stock levels in a targeted way from January onwards.
- Smooth shipment volumes: Spreading consignments over several weeks, rather than placing large one-off orders, can help avoid congestion at ports and with forwarders.
- Use flexible transport routes: Rail freight, particularly in the LCL segment, can be a useful alternative where transit times and costs are suitable.
- Prepare customs processes: Complete and accurate documentation is essential to ensure smooth customs clearance during and after the holiday period.
- Communicate transparently with partners: Close coordination with suppliers, customers and logistics providers helps identify potential bottlenecks early and develop contingency plans.
