Every year, Chinese New Year (also known as Lunar New Year) brings one of the largest, most coordinated shutdowns in global trade. With China at the centre of many global supply chains, this holiday period affects everything from manufacturing and port operations to shipping schedules and customs clearance.
For businesses in Australia and New Zealand that rely heavily on imports from China, the impact can be significant—especially if planning is left too late.
In 2026, Chinese New Year falls on Tuesday, February 17. But as many supply chain managers already know, the disruption begins well before the actual holiday and lingers for weeks after. This blog breaks down what to expect, when to act, and how to prepare—so your business doesn’t get caught out.
Note: This article will be updated as more information becomes available regarding 2026 factory schedules, shipping cut-offs, and freight capacity forecasts.
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Chinese New Year is not just a one-day holiday, it’s a national event that brings the country to a near standstill for up to three weeks or more. Here’s why it matters for your supply chain:
1. Factory Closures
Most factories in China shut down for two full weeks or longer. Many close before the official holiday and resume production after a gradual ramp-up.
Workers often return to their hometowns and may not come back until mid-to-late March.
2. Production Slowdown
In the 2–4 weeks leading up to the holiday, suppliers rush to clear backlogs.
Lead times stretch as factories operate under pressure or reduce new order intake.
Last-minute production is often deprioritised or rejected entirely.
3. Port Congestion and Trucking Shortages
Truck drivers also take extended leave, which limits cargo movement to and from ports.
Inland logistics bottlenecks affect your ability to get goods to the port—even if production finishes on time.
4. Ocean and Air Freight Capacity Crunch
Shippers rush to dispatch goods before the shutdown, leading to tight capacity, rate increases, and longer transit times.
After the holiday, there’s a backlog of unshipped cargo, often resulting in blank sailings and rollovers.
5. Customs and Administration Delays
Chinese customs and CIQ (China Inspection and Quarantine) teams also operate on limited staffing.
Documentation processing can be delayed, affecting exports and compliance timelines.
Both AU and NZ are heavily dependent on China for finished goods, raw materials, and components.
Many businesses operate on tight inventory cycles or just-in-time models, which makes them more vulnerable to even short delays.
Ocean transit times to ANZ often mean goods must depart well before the holiday to ensure timely delivery.
Understanding the real disruption window is critical for effective planning. While the official Chinese New Year holiday spans just a few days, the operational impact on production and logistics stretches for 6 to 8 weeks—before and after the public holiday.
In 2026, Chinese New Year falls on Tuesday, 17 February. Here’s how the disruption typically unfolds:
Some offices and government departments may close earlier and re-open later depending on local regulations.
Late December 2025 – Early January 2026
Peak ordering season begins as businesses rush to meet production deadlines.
Factories become selective, accepting orders only with guaranteed shipment timelines.
Mid January – Early February 2026
Production slowdown begins. Many factories stop taking new orders by mid-January.
Final shipments for ocean freight must be booked and dispatched no later than early February.
Trucking availability tightens across key regions, especially in South China.
Week of 10 February 2026
Last shipments move out before shutdown. Port congestion and customs delays are likely.
Air freight demand spikes, especially for urgent cargo and high-value goods.
17–23 February 2026: Full Shutdown
Majority of Chinese businesses close operations.
Minimal logistics activity at ports, customs, trucking, and warehousing.
Late February – Early March 2026
Factories begin a slow restart, with limited staff and backlogged orders.
Logistics networks gradually resume, but expect residual port congestion and vessel rollovers.
Mid–Late March 2026
Full production and shipping capacity resumes.
Backlog from pre-holiday orders still clearing, with some knock-on effects into April.
| Mode | Last Booking Date | Final Departure Window |
|---|---|---|
| Ocean Freight (FCL) | 24 Jan 2026 (latest) | Early Feb 2026 |
| Ocean Freight (LCL) | 20 Jan 2026 | End Jan – Early Feb |
| Air Freight (Urgent) | 5–10 Feb 2026 | By 14 Feb 2026 |
Note: Exact dates may vary by region, carrier, and supplier. Always confirm with your logistics partner for the most accurate cutoff schedules.
For importers in Australia and New Zealand, the Chinese New Year period brings a sharp spike in risk across both ocean and air freight. Here’s how it typically plays out:
Capacity tightens weeks in advance
As Chinese factories rush to ship cargo before shutting down, bookings surge. Carriers often operate at full capacity 2–3 weeks before the holiday, making it harder to secure space—especially on high-demand routes into Oceania.
Freight rates increase
Spot rates generally rise due to limited space and high demand. Forwarders and carriers may introduce premium space options or peak season surcharges.
Equipment shortages
Container availability—particularly 40’HCs—tightens in key manufacturing hubs like Ningbo, Shenzhen, and Shanghai.
Blank sailings and vessel rollovers
After the holiday, carriers often cancel sailings due to backlogged ports or imbalanced demand. This causes delays for orders not shipped before the break.
Pre-holiday urgency drives demand
Importers who miss sea cutoffs often turn to air to protect timelines, especially for high-value or time-sensitive cargo like electronics, pharma, and retail goods.
Rates spike in early February
Limited capacity and increased demand push air freight prices higher. Airlines may prioritise express and premium-tier shipments.
Reduced service post-holiday
Similar to ocean freight, there’s a brief lull after the holiday as ground handling and customs staff gradually return to work, causing delays in cargo clearance.
Congestion at Chinese ports
Port operations slow in the week before the holiday. Expect delays in cargo gate-ins, customs clearance, and vessel loading.
Truck driver shortages
Labour constraints begin early February as drivers head home. This makes it harder to move cargo inland—even if production is on schedule.
Downstream delays in Australia and New Zealand
Delays at origin often snowball into congestion at ANZ ports, particularly for consolidated (LCL) shipments and peak retail imports.
These ripple effects mean that even well-organised importers can face unexpected delays or cost spikes—especially if orders are placed late or routing options are limited. Proactive planning is essential.
To avoid delays, cost blowouts, and inventory gaps, Australia and New Zealand importers need to plan well ahead of Chinese New Year. Below are practical steps to help reduce supply chain risk before, during, and after the holiday shutdown.
Work backwards from your required delivery dates and factor in longer-than-usual lead times.
Engage suppliers now to confirm production capacity and shipping availability.
For high-volume or recurring SKUs, consider consolidating orders to ship earlier.
Book FCL and LCL space at least 4–6 weeks in advance of your desired departure date.
If using air freight, reserve space 2–3 weeks before the holiday week, especially for urgent or high-margin cargo.
Request early space confirmation from your forwarder or shipping partner.
Not all cargo is equal—identify your top-priority SKUs, especially if they’re seasonal, promotional, or essential to your supply chain.
Communicate clearly with suppliers about which goods must leave before shutdown.
For fast-moving SKUs or items with little supplier flexibility, carrying extra stock through Q1 may be worth the holding cost.
Review sales forecasts and safety stock policies now to prepare for the gap in replenishment.
Stay closely aligned with factories, vendors, and agents to confirm:
Last production dates
Last available shipment dates
Restart schedules after the holiday
Confirm that your partners understand your timelines and critical cargo list.
For urgent orders, explore air-sea combinations or transhipment options via Southeast Asia.
This can offer better flexibility if direct China–ANZ space is constrained.
Even with solid planning, Lunar New Year creates vulnerabilities that can catch ANZ importers off guard—especially those in fast-moving or inventory-sensitive sectors. Below are key risks to monitor in the lead-up to February 2026:
Retail & Lifestyle Goods
With Chinese New Year landing just after Australia's back-to-school period and ahead of Easter campaigns, delays can impact seasonal inventory availability.
Automotive & Aftermarket
Many components and accessories come from tiered supplier networks in China. A missed part can delay full product builds or servicing.
FMCG & Consumer Electronics
Products with high turnover or time-to-market sensitivity are more prone to stockouts if shipping windows are missed.
Lead times before and after CNY may stretch by 2–4 weeks, especially for LCL and consolidated cargo.
Carriers and forwarders may prioritise full container bookings over smaller shipments.
Importers on spot rates may face unexpected premium fees or lack of space.
If you have fixed-rate contracts, clarify whether capacity is guaranteed during peak periods.
After the holidays, some workers don’t return to their previous jobs, causing staffing shortages that slow production.
Smaller suppliers may take weeks to return to full operating capacity—especially in inland regions.
Holding buffer stock ties up working capital, but not holding enough can lead to lost sales.
It's a delicate balance—review your replenishment model to find the right mix of agility and risk protection.
By watching these risk factors closely, ANZ importers can avoid surprises and keep their supply chains moving during one of the most complex periods on the global logistics calendar.
Chinese New Year 2026 presents predictable yet widespread disruption across supply chains—particularly for importers in Australia and New Zealand with strong trade dependencies on China.
By planning now, your business can stay ahead of delays, cost volatility, and stock shortages. Here’s what to prioritise:
Place orders early and confirm production schedules with suppliers before the end of 2025
Book freight space well in advance, particularly for FCL, LCL, and urgent air cargo
Build buffer stock where feasible to bridge the replenishment gap
Prioritise key SKUs and communicate shipment urgency clearly with your vendors
Review supply contracts, lead times, and risk exposure—especially if relying on spot rates
Stay alert to post-holiday production delays due to labour shortages or factory ramp-ups
Explore alternative routing options (e.g. via Southeast Asia) or multimodal solutions for agility
At KLN Oceania, we work closely with our global partners to ensure our customers are informed and ready. We’re actively engaging with suppliers and carriers to design the best routes available and build realistic, proactive mitigation plans tailored to your supply chain needs.
If you’d like to discuss potential risks—or get support preparing for the Chinese New Year period—we invite you to get in touch with our team.
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Chinese New Year causes a coordinated shutdown of factories, ports, and logistics operations across China. This results in production halts, port congestion, trucking shortages, and delayed sea and air freight schedules.
While the official public holiday is 17–23 February 2026, many factories begin slowing or stopping production by mid-January and resume at full capacity only by mid-to-late March.
To avoid delays, place purchase orders by early January 2026. Book ocean freight space by mid-January and air freight no later than early February to ensure departure before the shutdown.
| Period | Activity |
|---|---|
| Late Dec 2025 – Early Jan 2026 | Peak ordering season; factories begin limiting new orders |
| Mid Jan – Early Feb 2026 | Production slowdown; final ocean freight bookings; trucking constraints |
| Week of 10 Feb 2026 | Final pre-shutdown shipments; surge in air freight demand |
| 17–23 Feb 2026 | Full shutdown across China |
| Late Feb – Early Mar 2026 | Gradual restart of factories and logistics |
| Mid–Late Mar 2026 | Normalisation of production and shipping capacity |
Production halts and shipment delays
Freight rate increases and container shortages
Port congestion and limited inland transport
Labour shortages during factory restart
Missed delivery windows for seasonal or promotional goods
Stockouts or overstocking due to poor timing
Capacity constraints for LCL and air freight
Full container bookings become scarce 2–3 weeks before the holiday
Carriers introduce surcharges and blank sailings
Container availability tightens in key ports (e.g. Ningbo, Shenzhen, Shanghai)
LCL shipments may face rollovers and extended lead times
Air cargo demand spikes as businesses seek urgent uplift
Limited space and higher rates in early February
Delays post-holiday due to ground handling and customs backlogs
Slower port operations in the week before the holiday
Trucking shortages begin early February
Downstream delays into Australia and New Zealand, especially for consolidated cargo
Place orders by early January 2026
Book FCL and LCL freight by mid-January
Prioritise critical SKUs and communicate shipment urgency
Hold buffer stock to cover Q1 demand
Align timelines with suppliers and confirm production cutoffs
Consider alternative routing or transhipment via Southeast Asia
Revisit rate agreements and clarify peak period space guarantees
| Mode | Last Booking Date | Final Departure Window |
|---|---|---|
| Ocean (FCL) | 24 January 2026 | Early February 2026 |
| Ocean (LCL) | 20 January 2026 | End January – Early Feb |
| Air Freight | 5–10 February 2026 | By 14 February 2026 |
Note: Always confirm dates with your freight forwarder.
Plan earlier than usual
Lock in freight space now
Expect longer lead times across all modes
Protect your supply chain with buffer inventory and alternate routing
Communicate frequently with your suppliers and freight forwarders
At KLN Oceania, we’re supporting customers through this high-risk period by:
Monitoring capacity and port conditions
Working with suppliers to optimise routing
Creating realistic mitigation plans for ANZ supply chains
📩 Need help preparing for Chinese New Year 2026?