How to Get Ready for Chinese New Year Shutdown 2025

The Chinese New Year shutdown is one of the most significant annual events impacting global businesses, especially those reliant on Chinese manufacturing and logistics. 

With operations across China coming to a near standstill, businesses worldwide must plan effectively to minimize disruptions. 

Chinese New Year Shutdown 2025

When is Chinese New Year Shutdown

The Chinese New Year 2025 dates begin with the Lunar New Year celebration on Wednesday, January 29th, 2025, and conclude with the Lantern Festival on Tuesday, February 11th, 2025. 

The shutdown is not confined to these two weeks alone. Many factories, suppliers, and logistics companies start scaling down their operations up to 10 days before the New Year and resume regular activities weeks after the official celebration. 

Businesses should account for this extended timeline when planning their supply chain. 

How will Chinese New Year 2025 Affect Businesses?

The Chinese New Year shutdown creates widespread impacts due to the scale of the closure:

  1. Factory Closure: Most manufacturing facilities in China halt production for two to four weeks. 
  2. Shipping Delays: The reduced workforce in logistics and transportation slows cargo movement and order fulfillment. 
  3. Inventory Shortages: Global markets may experience stock shortages as supply chains adjust to pre- and post-holiday demands.
  4. Rising Costs: Increased shipping demand before and after the shutdown can drive up freight costs.

Chinese New Year Shutdown 2025 Timeline

The timeline for the Chinese New Year  2025 dates shutdown timeline is important for planning around the Chinese New Year closure: 

  • Early January 2025: Factories begin reducing production capacity, prioritizing last-minute orders. 
  • Mid-January 2025: Shipping companies face congestion as businesses rush to move goods. 
  • January 29th, 2025: Official start of the Chinese New Year 2025; most factories and offices are closed. 
  • Early February 2025: Limited operations resume, with reduced staffing. 
  • Mid-February 2025: Normal operations gradually return, but supply chains may take weeks to stabilize. 

What Are The Freight Issues During Chinese New Year?

Freight and logistics challenges during the Chinese New Year shutdown are significant, impacting businesses worldwide. 

These issues primarily stem from reduced workforce availability, increased demand, and operational constraints. 

1. Shipping Backlogs

In the weeks leading up to Chinese New Year, businesses place a surge of orders to ensure inventory is stocked before the holiday, creating backlogs for freight forwarders and carriers, resulting in delays across the supply chain. 

2. Port Congestion

Major Chinese ports experience heavy congestion before and after the holiday period. With limited port operations during the Chinese New Year holidays, the handling of goods slows significantly, leading to prolonged shipping times. 

3. Higher Freight Costs

The demand for shipping services increases sharply during the weeks leading to the holiday, and this heightened competition for freight capacity drives the cost up, especially for air freight and express delivery services. 

4. Limited Carrier Availability

Many freight companies operate with reduced staffing or pause operations entirely during the holiday. As a result businesses may find it challenging to secure carriers, leading to further disruptions. 

5. Post-Holiday Delays

After the Chinese New Year closure, factories and logistics providers take time to return to full operational capacity. This delay in resuming normal activities exacerbates shipping challenges, often extending into late February. 

How to Prepare for the Chinese New Year Shutdown?

To minimize disruptions caused by the Chinese New Year holidays businesses need to implement proactive strategies. 

Use historical sales data and market trends to accurately predict inventory needs for the period before, during, and after the shutdown, ensuring that you’re not caught off guard by unexpected demand surges. 

Submit purchase orders to your suppliers as early as possible, ideally by early December, allowing factories sufficient time to produce and ship goods before their operations slow down. 

Build a buffer stock to cover anticipated demand during the shutdown period, which is important for businesses with fast-moving inventory or seasonal demand peaks

Communicate regularly with your suppliers to confirm their holiday schedules and production timelines, since understanding their shutdown plans helps you better align your supply chain strategy. 

Book freight and transportation services well in advance to secure space during peak periods. Consider working with logistics providers experienced in navigating the Chinese New Year Closure.

You can use Forceget’s instant quotation tool to get freight quotes and ensure your goods arrive before the shutdown

FAQs About Chinese New Year Shutdown

How long does the Chinese New Year last?

The Chinese New Year holidays typically last 15 days, starting with the Lunar New Year and ending with the Lantern Festival. For Chinese New Year 2025, these days are January 29th to February 11th. 

However the operational impact on businesses is often longer, with factories and logistics companies shutting down for 3-4 weeks, including pre- and post–holiday periods. 

Should I consider stocking up on inventory for the Chinese New Year?

Yes, stockpiling inventory is a crucial strategy for mitigating supply chain disruptions during the Chinese New Year closure.