Chinese New Year, celebrated on February 17, 2026, affects much more than the official holiday period. In practice, it reshapes the entire logistics dynamic of the Asia trade lanes for several weeks, and there are clear reasons for that.

Before the holiday, factories gradually begin to slow down. Millions of workers travel back to their hometowns, reducing production levels and limiting domestic transportation availability. The result is predictable: excess demand for space on vessels and aircraft, along with rising freight rates.

During the holiday, many manufacturing plants shut down completely. Ports continue operating, but with reduced staffing. Trucking services also run at limited capacity. In other words, even if a shipment is scheduled, the supply chain as a whole does not move at its normal pace.

The most critical phase, however, comes afterward. When factories resume operations, production does not immediately return to 100%. There is an accumulation of orders, competition for containers, and pressure on capacity in the following weeks. Historically, the market can take four to eight weeks to fully stabilize after the holiday.

In practical terms, this means:

• Longer lead times;
• Rate volatility;
• Less predictability in shipping windows;
• Higher risk of delays in inventory replenishment.

For companies importing from Asia, especially from China, the post-holiday period is not a one-off event, but a predictable logistics cycle that requires advance planning. Businesses that structure orders ahead of time, secure space before peak demand, and work with realistic forecasts are able to navigate this period with less disruption.
This is exactly the type of scenario where working with Modal Comex makes a difference: planning, market insight, and logistics strategy are not optional, they are part of the operation. We are ready to help your company navigate this period with greater predictability and security.