Chinese New Year 2026 Overview
Chinese New Year—also known as the Spring Festival or Lunar New Year—is the most important traditional holiday in China and widely celebrated across Asia, including Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, and South Korea. It is a time for family reunions, resulting in the world’s largest annual human migration.
Chinese New Year 2026: Year of the Horse
According to the Chinese zodiac, 2026 is the Year of the Fire Horse, symbolising energy, movement, and transformation—an appropriate reflection of the fast-moving challenges within global logistics during this season.
When Is Chinese New Year 2026?
Chinese New Year 2026 falls on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. People will gather for a big New Year's Eve dinner, and some will continue the celebrations till the Lantern Festival on March 3.
Key CNY 2026 Dates:
- Chinese New Year’s Eve: February 16, 2026
- Chinese New Year’s Day: February 17, 2026
- Lantern Festival: March 3, 2026
- 2025 Chinese New Year Holiday: February 15 - February 23, 2026, 9 days in total.
How long will CNY 2026 affect your supply chain?
For international logistics and trade operations, the total disruption window typically lasts 6–8 weeks:
- Pre-holiday slowdown: Early January to mid-February 2026
- Holiday shutdown: Mid-February 2026
- Post-holiday recovery: Late February to March 2026
Many workers return late after the holiday, causing delayed production restarts and inconsistent output levels. Importers should plan inventory and shipping schedules well in advance to avoid supply gaps.
Key supply chain challenges during CNY 2026
1. Factory Shutdowns and Reduced Production Capacity
Although the official holiday lasts for only about one week, manufacturing facilities often close for 2–4 weeks. Skilled labour shortages after the holiday further delay full capacity recovery.
Impact on importers and exporters:
- Extended production lead times
- Risk of inventory stock-outs
- Delayed purchase orders
2. Port Congestion and Shipping Delays
Ahead of the Chinese New Year, exporters rush to move cargo before shutdowns, leading to port congestion, container shortages, and vessel space constraints at major Chinese ports.
Common risks include:
- Rolled or cancelled sailings
- Longer transit times
- Equipment imbalances
3. Volatile Freight Rates
Freight rates typically surge before the holidays due to high demand and limited capacity, particularly in:
- Ocean freight (FCL & LCL)
- Air freight, as shippers seek faster transit options
After the holiday, rates may soften, but normalisation of capacity takes time.
Your local logistics partner for handling the Chinese New Year disruption
Chinese New Year is a predictable disruption—but its impact does not have to be unpredictable.
With strong local presence, global reach, and in-depth experience in managing peak-season logistics, ColliCare supports importers, exporters, and international supply chain stakeholders through every phase of the CNY 2026 period, whether you are moving full container loads, time-critical air freight, or complex project cargo. This is how ColliCare Supports your Supply Chain:
- Early planning & forecasting support to align production and shipping schedules
- Flexible freight solutions across ocean, air, and multimodal transport
- Carrier and capacity management during peak congestion periods
- Local expertise in China and Asia, combined with global coordination
- Proactive communication before, during, and after the holiday shutdown
For existing customers, don't hesitate to get in touch with your local ColliCare representative to review your shipment plan for the peak season.
For new customers, reach out to our team to learn how ColliCare can support your global logistics strategy.
