Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is one of the most significant periods on the global calendar for those involved in foreign trade. In 2026, the celebration takes place on February 17, but its effects go far beyond that date. In practice, the impact begins weeks earlier and extends well after the holiday ends.

This happens because China, the world’s leading manufacturing hub, slows down its activities during this period. For international trade, this slowdown has direct effects on lead times, costs, and logistics planning.

During this time, it is not only production that is affected: the entire logistics chain feels the impact. Ports operate at reduced capacity, labor availability decreases, and cargo flows become more concentrated in the days leading up to and following the holiday.

As a result, companies may face delivery delays, congestion at port terminals, container shortages, and, in many cases, higher freight rates. These factors require extra attention from importers and exporters, especially those whose operations rely heavily on Chinese suppliers. The main impacts on foreign trade operations include:

• Longer lead times and gradual resumption of activities

Even after the official end of the holiday, operations do not return to normal immediately, which can push deliveries into March or even April, depending on the sector.

• Pressure on logistics costs

The rush to ship goods before the shutdown typically increases demand for space on vessels and aircraft. This imbalance between supply and demand directly affects logistics costs and can compromise previously planned budgets.

• Risk of operational bottlenecks

With reduced teams, processes such as cargo consolidation, domestic transportation, and customs clearance tend to slow down, requiring closer coordination among all parties involved in the operation.

With this in mind, the best strategy to prepare for Chinese New Year remains early planning. Companies that organize themselves in advance are better able to minimize impacts and maintain greater predictability in their operations. Some important actions include:

• Placing orders and negotiating with suppliers in advance, avoiding last-minute demand;
• Booking freight earlier to reduce the risk of unavailability or higher costs;
• Aligning deadlines and expectations with customers and logistics partners;
• Reviewing inventory levels to navigate the period with greater operational security.

Chinese New Year goes beyond a traditional celebration. It influences logistics decisions, commercial strategies, and the performance of global supply chains. For foreign trade companies, understanding this cycle and incorporating it into annual planning is essential to reduce risks, optimize costs, and remain competitive. In 2026, more than ever, information, anticipation, and alignment across all links in the chain will be decisive factors in handling this period efficiently.