How to Stay Ahead of the Chinese New Year Slowdown

As the end of the year approaches, companies often find themselves in a rush to finalize production and get orders in before factories in China shut down for the Chinese New Year holiday. At Global Trade Specialists, we’ve seen many businesses lose weeks or even months of valuable time because they didn’t plan early enough.

If you import from China, your end-of-year manufacturing strategy can make or break your supply chain going into the first quarter of the following year. Here’s how to stay ahead of the curve.

Understand the Impact of Chinese New Year

The Chinese New Year (CNY), which typically falls between late January and mid-February, is the longest and largest shutdown of manufacturing in China.

Factories close for two to four weeks, and many workers travel long distances to return home. Production typically slows down two to three weeks before the holiday and can take another two to three weeks to ramp back up once it ends.

That means even a small delay in placing orders before year-end can result in six to eight weeks of total downtime, a costly setback for importers caught unaware.

Place Orders Early — Don’t Wait Until December

One of the most common mistakes importers make is assuming they can place new production orders in late December or January and still receive them on time. By that point, factories are at full capacity, shipping ports are congested, and freight costs often spike due to high demand.

To stay ahead:

  • Confirm your new orders no later than the middle of November.
  • Finalize designs and approvals early so your supplier can begin production before the pre-holiday rush.
  • Ship before mid-January to avoid container delays and backlogs at Chinese ports and consequently, American ones too.

We often encourage our clients to plan their inventory well before the end of November, or even well before making sure no time and profits are lost due to the CNY slowdown.

A small delay in January could push your delivery into March if you miss the shipping cutoff. If you’re importing high-value or high-volume products, a forward-thinking sourcing strategy can offset some of these risks. Our team can help negotiate the best costs or explore alternate suppliers if needed.

Partner with an Experienced Sourcing Company

Strong communication now can prevent misunderstandings and missed deadlines later. End-of-year production planning is where working with a sourcing partner can pay off in dividends. At Global Trade Specialists, we:

  • Coordinate directly with Chinese manufacturers to confirm production schedules
  • Manage quality control and inspection timelines
  • Handle all logistics, documentation, and shipping coordination
  • Ensure your products ship on time and on budget before the CNY shutdown

By planning for the end of the year quarter, you can avoid costly inventory shortages and keep your product line moving smoothly. The final business quarter isn’t the time to slow down; it’s the time to plan for the next year.

With Chinese New Year on the horizon, you can’t go wrong placing your orders early.
If you’re looking to secure your supply chain and avoid costly delays, contact us today. Our team will help you keep your business running strong through the new year.