Avoid Chinese New

Year Delays — Plan Now

Running an ecommerce business and relying on China for production or fulfillment?
Worried about orders getting stuck, factories going quiet, or shipping timelines blowing up?

You’re not overthinking it.

If there’s one lesson sellers learn every year, it’s this:
Chinese New Year delays don’t happen suddenly. They build up quietly—and then hit hard.

This guide is about how to avoid Chinese New

Year delays by planning now, not later.
I’ll keep it practical.
No scare tactics.
No fluff.

Why Chinese New Year Delays Are So Disruptive

Chinese New Year isn’t just a holiday.
It’s a full-system pause.

During Chinese New Year:

• Factories shut down

• Workers travel home early

• Production slows weeks in advance

• Shipping capacity tightens fast

The biggest mistake sellers make is assuming the disruption only lasts a few days.

It doesn’t.

The Real Chinese New Year Timeline (What Most Sellers Miss)

Here’s how it usually plays out.

3–4 Weeks Before Chinese New Year

Production starts slowing.

• Workers leave in batches

• Output drops

• New orders get pushed back

1–2 Weeks Before Chinese New Year

Logistics get crowded.

• Ports fill up

• Air and sea freight prices rise

• Booking space becomes harder

During Chinese New Year

Everything stops.

• No production

• No restocking

• Limited warehouse activity

2–3 Weeks After Chinese New Year

Recovery phase.

• Factories restart slowly

• Backlogs clear gradually

• Delays continue

This is why sellers who “wait it out” usually lose sales.

Who Gets Hit the Hardest by Chinese New Year Delays

Chinese New Year affects everyone—but not equally.

You’re most at risk if:

• You run a Shopify or DTC store

• You depend on frequent restocks

• You scale ads consistently

• You sell fast-moving SKUs

If inventory runs dry,
ads don’t pause automatically.

Money leaks fast.

Common Chinese New Year Delay Mistakes (Every Year)

I see these on repeat.

Mistake #1: Waiting for the Official Holiday Date

By the time the holiday starts, it’s already too late.

Production capacity is booked weeks earlier.

Mistake #2: Overestimating “Fast Shipping”

No shipping line is fast when capacity is full.

Delays don’t mean zero movement.
They mean unpredictable movement.

That’s worse.

Mistake #3: Treating Chinese New Year Like a Short Break

Chinese New Year disruption is a cycle, not a pause.

If you don’t plan inventory and shipping together,
you feel the impact for months.

How to Avoid Chinese New Year Delays — Plan Now

This is the part that matters.

Avoiding Chinese New Year delays isn’t about reacting faster.

It’s about locking in certainty early.

Step 1: Prepare Inventory Earlier Than Feels Comfortable

This feels risky at first.

But it’s the safest move.

Smart sellers:

• Identify top-selling SKUs

• Produce those earlier

• Hold safety stock

You don’t need to stock everything.

Focus on:

• Best sellers

• Core products

• Reliable movers

Dead stock is bad.
Lost sales are worse.

Step 2: Separate Production Planning From Sales Emotions

Chinese New Year planning isn’t emotional.
It’s mathematical.

Ask yourself:

• How many units do I sell weekly?

• How long will production + shipping take during Chinese New Year?

• How much buffer do I need?

Then add margin.

Not optimism.

Step 3: Lock Shipping Capacity Before It Gets Tight

Shipping during Chinese New Year isn’t about finding the cheapest option.

It’s about availability.

Planning early helps you:

• Secure space

• Avoid last-minute price spikes

• Maintain stable delivery expectations

Customers don’t demand speed.
They demand reliability.

Step 4: Communicate Internally (Before Customers Do)

One of the biggest hidden costs of Chinese New Year delays is support overload.

Unplanned delays cause:

• “Where is my order?” tickets

• Refund requests

• Negative reviews

Planning now gives you clarity.
Clarity reduces friction.

A Short Real-World Example

Last year, a mid-size Shopify seller came to us in December.

Sales were steady.
Inventory was tight.

They debated waiting until January.

Instead, they planned early.

What changed?

• Inventory was secured before factory slowdown

• Shipping lanes were booked early

• Orders continued shipping through Chinese New Year

Their competitors paused ads.

They didn’t.

That’s what planning buys you.

What “Planning Now” Actually Means

Let’s keep this simple.

Planning now means:

• Inventory decisions made early

• Production scheduled, not requested

• Shipping capacity reserved

• Clear expectations set

It doesn’t mean overreacting.

It means controlling what you can.

Chinese New Year Delays vs. Long-Term Brand Health

Here’s the part many sellers ignore.

Chinese New Year delays don’t just cost short-term revenue.

They affect:

• Customer trust

• Repeat purchase rates

• Ad account performance

• Cash flow stability

One bad season can undo months of growth.

Planning isn’t optional if you want to scale.

Frequently Asked Questions About Chinese New Year Delays

“Is it too early to plan for Chinese New Year?”

No.

Early Chinese New Year years punish late planners the most.

“Can I just pause ads during Chinese New Year?”

You can—but momentum is hard to restart.

Prepared sellers keep selling.

“What if demand drops?”

Plan around best sellers only.

You don’t need to bet on new SKUs.

“Do all factories shut down?”

Most do.

Those that don’t operate at reduced capacity.

“Is Chinese New Year delay unavoidable?”

Delays are common.

Disruption is optional.

Final Thoughts: Planning Is the Only Advantage

Chinese New Year happens every year.
The winners and losers change every year.

The difference is never luck.

It’s preparation.

If you want to avoid Chiese New Year delays,
the best time to plan was yesterday.

The second-best time is now.

Avoid Chiese New Year Delays — Plan Now