As the Lunar New Year is one of the most important traditional festivals in China and elsewhere in Asia, it brings significant adjustments across the supply chain, including factory shutdowns, reduced trucking availability, and constrained transportation capacity. Combined with seasonal increases in shipment volume and adjusted operating hours, these factors may lead to earlier cut-off dates and longer lead times. We therefore recommend reviewing the guidelines below and arranging your cargo as early as possible.
Preparing for Chinese New Year and the impact on your supply chain
Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year, is approaching this February. Read our online guide designed to help you make informed decisions to protect your supply chain during production shutdowns and port slowdowns in Asia this festive season.
China's Lunar New Year timeline
| Lunar New Year | 15-23 February 2026 |
| Lantern Festival | 3 March 2026 |
Hong Kong's Lunar New Year timeline
| Lunar New Year | 17-19 February 2026 |
Factories, warehouses, ports, and trucking companies may adjust their operations before and after the official holidays.
Air Freight during Chinese New Year
- Plan Air Freight shipments early as capacity will tighten through the New Year, driven by increased export volumes.
- Expect earlier cargo cut-off times and schedule adjustments by airlines during the holiday season; align your production and dispatch plans accordingly.
- Secure space in advance, especially for time-critical shipments, as rates are expected to rise and availability may become increasingly limited.
- Allow additional lead time for special cargo such as dangerous goods, over sized freight, and temperature-controlled commodities, as these often require more complex arrangements.
Sea Freight during Chinese New Year
- Book FCL cargo at least 2–3 weeks ahead of your desired departure, as sailing schedules may be modified and port congestion is common before and after the holiday.
- Monitor LCL consolidation cut-off dates, which are often brought forward during peak demand periods.
- Prepare for potential container shortages and cost increases, including elevated freight rates and possible demurrage or detention charges.
- Build flexibility into your timeline, as shipments moving close to the holiday period are more prone to delays caused by operational slowdowns at ports and terminals.
Inland logistics during Chinese New Year
FAQ - Land logistics at Lunar New Year
Will shippers and carriers stop working during Lunar New Year?
Yes. Most shippers, carriers, and related vendors will suspend services during the Chinese New Year holiday. Operations will gradually slow down 1–2 weeks before the official holiday as factories shut down and trucking capacity becomes limited.
Will my Account Manager in China be out of the office during Lunar New Year?
Our team will arrange an internal rotation schedule to ensure continued support during the holiday period. Someone from our home office will always be available to assist you.
Can I place a booking before the Lunar New Year holiday?
Yes, you can still place a booking before the holiday. However, please follow the regular booking process and submit bookings as early as possible due to tightened capacity and higher demand in the weeks leading up to Chinese New Year.
What are the cut-off times before Lunar New Year?
To secure space and avoid delays, please prepare to follow the cut-off timeline below:
Booking cut-off:
CNY – 10 working days
(Bookings submitted later may still be arranged, but trucking costs could be significantly higher due to scarce capacity.)
Document cut-off:
CNY – 7 working days
Will there be delays in communication in the region during Lunar New Year?
Our Land team will maintain communication with customers, carriers, and overseas offices via a rotation schedule. However, please expect slower replies from carriers/agents, as many of them will be on holiday.
Looking ahead to your supply chain in 2026
As we enter the Year of the Horse in the zodiac calendar - a symbol of success, good fortune, and smooth progress - we hope this guide supports your planning for the Lunar New Year period and helps your supply chain run seamlessly. The Year of the Horse represents energy, efficiency, and “success in arriving swiftly,” and we wish the same momentum for your business in the coming year. By preparing early and building resilience into your logistics strategy, you can minimise disruptions, secure capacity, and keep your operations moving without interruption.
At Röhlig Logistics, we remain your trusted partner, committed to supporting your growth and ensuring that your cargo moves with the speed and confidence of the Year of the Horse. Whether in air, sea, or multimodal solutions, our teams are here to help you achieve a smooth and successful start to 2026.