Chinese New Year is the most traditional holiday in China. It is celebrated on February 5, 2019 and ends with the Lantern Festival. According to the Chinese zodiac, 2019 is the Year of the Pig.
Impact on imports
During Chinese New Year, factories, ports and customs offices significantly reduce their activity. The official holiday lasts about a week, but in practice many workers return to their hometowns and the production slowdown extends for two to three weeks. The weeks before the holiday are also affected because workers leave gradually.
How to plan your operations
- Place orders well in advance, ideally three months before the holiday.
- Confirm shipping schedules with your freight forwarder, as space on vessels is heavily booked.
- Carry out the pre-shipment inspection at least two weeks before the holiday begins.
- Anticipate that any communication with your supplier may slow down during the holiday period.
Returning to normal operations
After the holiday, factories take one to two weeks to fully recover production capacity. Some workers do not return to the same factory, which can affect lead times for new orders.
If you want to ensure that your imports are not affected by Chinese New Year, contact MingTa Group. We help you plan operations and follow up with your suppliers in real time.