Sign up for an absolute no-cost account and experience the future of logistics today.
Create Your Free Account!
Log in Sign up
Back

Chinese New Year and Shipping: Your Guide for 2026

02-12-2025
chinese-new-year-and-shipping

For logistics managers and supply chain planners, the start of the calendar year is always dominated by one major event: the Chinese New Year. As the most significant holiday in the manufacturing world, it brings production to a halt and creates a unique and intense set of challenges for global shipping. 

With the Year of the Snake (2025) behind us, we are rapidly approaching the Chinese New Years 2026. This period is notorious for extreme rate spikes, severe capacity crunches, and disruptive “blank sailings.” However, with the right preparation and a digital logistics partner like MyDello by your side, you can navigate these turbulent waters smoothly and turn a potential crisis into a competitive advantage. 

This comprehensive guide will cover everything you need to know to master the 2026 Chinese new year. We will detail key dates, analyze the impact on freight, and provide a strategic survival guide for your supply chain. 

Don’t let the annual holiday rush disrupt your business. Gain a strategic advantage by planning your shipments with MyDello’s expert team and transparent digital platform. 

When is Chinese New Year in 2026? 

The date of the Lunar New Year changes annually because it is based on the lunisolar calendar. So, when is lunar new year 2026? 

The Chinese New Years 2026 date falls on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. 

While the official public holiday lasts for one week (February 17th to February 23rd), the true disruption to manufacturing and logistics is significantly longer. 

Every year is associated with one of the twelve zodiac animals. The 2026 chinese new year animal is the Horse, specifically the Fire Horse. In Chinese culture, the Horse represents energy, speed, and relentless forward momentum. For logistics professionals, this is a fitting symbol—you will need to move fast and stay agile to keep your cargo moving during this high-pressure season. 

How does Lunar New Year 2026 affect shipping? 

The impact of the Chinese lunar new year 2026 is a multi-phase event that creates a ripple effect across global supply chains. 

1. The Pre-Holiday Rush (Mid-January to mid-February) 

Weeks before the Lunar new year 2026 date, a frantic rush begins as importers scramble to get their orders shipped out of China before factories close. This massive surge in demand leads to: 

  • Skyrocketing Freight Rates: Ocean and air freight rates often hit their annual peak. Demand for container space far outstrips supply, giving carriers immense pricing power. 
  • Severe Space Constraints: Securing a booking becomes extremely difficult. Carriers may overbook vessels, leading to “rolled cargo,” where your shipment is bumped to a later, unscheduled sailing. 
  • Inland Trucking Shortages: Truck drivers within China begin heading home for the holidays early, creating a bottleneck in getting goods from the factory to the port. 

2. Blank Sailings (Mid-February to early March) 

During and immediately following the holiday, shipping lines announce “blank sailings.” This means they cancel entire voyages on major trade lanes because there is no new production coming out of factories to fill the ships. This tactic allows carriers to manage capacity and maintain high freight rates, but it can cause significant delays for any cargo left at the port. 

Preparing for 2026 Chinese New Year: A Strategic Guide 

Resilience during the 2026 chinese new year is not about reacting; it’s about proactive planning. Here are three essential strategies to protect your supply chain. 

1. Communicate Proactively with Suppliers 

Contact your suppliers in Q4 2025. Confirm their exact closure dates and their final production deadlines for pre-CNY shipment. This information is more important than the official public holiday dates. Using clear delivery terms is crucial; review our Guide to Incoterms to ensure both you and your supplier are aligned on responsibilities. 

2. Build a Buffer & Forecast Accurately 

Analyze your sales data and forecast the inventory you will need to cover a production gap of at least 3-4 weeks. It is far safer to hold slightly higher stock levels in your local warehouse than to risk a stockout while Chinese factories are closed and shipping schedules are in chaos. 

3. Book Shipments Well in Advance 

The “Golden Rule” of Chinese New Year shipping is to book early. We recommend securing your space at least 4 to 6 weeks before your desired departure date. 

  • For pre-CNY shipments: Aim to have your bookings confirmed by the second week of January 2026 at the latest. 
  • Speak to an expert or use a digital platform: A digital platform like MyDello provides a crucial advantage. You can compare rates and transit times from multiple carriers instantly, giving you the visibility needed to make fast, informed booking decisions when capacity is tight. 

Factory Shutdowns and Chinese New Year: The Reality 

It is a common and costly misconception that China only shuts down for one week. The manufacturing freeze is much longer due to the human element of the holiday. 

The Chinese lunar new year 2026 is the most important time for family reunions in China. Hundreds of millions of workers travel from industrial cities back to their rural hometowns. 

  • Early Departures: Workers often start leaving 1-2 weeks before the holiday. This means factory production capacity begins to drop significantly from early February 2026. 
  • Late Returns: Production does not resume at 100% capacity immediately after the holiday. It can take up to a month for factories to be fully staffed as workers slowly return. 

This means you must plan for a total production shutdown of 3-4 weeks, not 7 days. 

Alternative Shipping Modes to Beat the Rush 

When ocean freight capacity tightens and rates spike around the Chinese New Year, leveraging alternative logistics modes can save your supply chain. 

  • Rail Freight: For shipments from China to Europe, rail freight offers a powerful middle ground. It is significantly faster than sea freight and considerably cheaper than air. This is an excellent strategic option to bypass congested ocean ports and unpredictable sailing schedules. 
  • Air Freight: If you are running low on critical stock and cannot wait for the post-holiday backlog to clear, air freight is the fastest solution. While more expensive, shipping a smaller, emergency batch of goods via air can prevent costly stockouts while the bulk of your inventory travels by sea. 

MyDello’s platform aggregates real-time data from air, sea, rail, and road carriers, giving you the flexibility to compare and switch modes instantly based on the unique pressures of the 2026 chinese new year. 

Ready to build a resilient supply chain for 2026? Experience the future of freight forwarding with MyDello’s powerful platform and expert support.

Conclusion 

The Chinese New Year is a predictable disruption, yet it catches many businesses off guard every year. By marking the Chinese new years 2026 date—February 17th—on your calendar and understanding the full 3-4 week scope of the shutdown, you can take proactive steps to protect your supply chain. 

The key takeaways are: 

  • Plan for a 3-4 Week Shutdown: Do not rely on the one-week public holiday. 
  • Book 4-6 Weeks in Advance: Secure your space well before the pre-holiday rush begins in January. 
  • Communicate and Forecast: Align with your suppliers and build a sufficient inventory buffer. 
  • Be Flexible: Use an expert partner like MyDello to explore alternative modes like rail and air when ocean freight is under pressure. 

With the right preparation, you can navigate the Year of the Horse with speed and confidence, keeping your inventory safe and your customers happy.