SuanSupply
The short version
- Chinese New Year 2027 falls on Saturday, February 6, 2027 (Year of the Goat). The Lantern Festival, the traditional end of the season, is February 20.
- The official public holiday is usually about 8 to 9 days, but factories typically slow down 2 to 3 weeks before and run at reduced capacity for several weeks after. Flexport describes at least 4 weeks of closure or diminished capacity.
- China's official 2027 holiday schedule is normally published by the State Council in November. Until then, plan with the typical pattern.
- Working back from February 6: last production orders by mid-November 2026, freight booked early, last reliable departures in early to mid January 2027.
When is Chinese New Year 2027?
Chinese New Year 2027 is on Saturday, February 6, 2027. It is the first day of the lunar new year and starts the Spring Festival (春节, Chūnjié). The season traditionally ends with the Lantern Festival (元宵节, Yuánxiāo jié) on February 20, 2027.
China's State Council publishes the official public holiday dates for the next year, usually in November. For reference, the official 2026 Spring Festival holiday ran 9 days, from February 15 to February 23, 2026, with two make-up working Saturdays (February 14 and 28). Expect a similar block around February 6, 2027, and check the official notice when it is out. We will update this page when it is published.
What does the factory shutdown look like?
The public holiday is short, but production stops for much longer, because most factory workers travel home to other provinces and many do not come back right away. These are typical patterns reported by logistics and sourcing firms, not guarantees:
| When (2027 estimate) | What typically happens |
|---|---|
| Mid to late November 2026 | Last production orders for goods that must ship before the holiday (10 to 12 weeks before CNY) |
| Late December to mid January | Factories stop accepting new production slots; freight rates rise as shippers rush |
| Early to mid January | Last reliable departures from China for pre-holiday shipping |
| About 1 to 2 weeks before Feb 6 | Workers leave; output falls sharply |
| Around Feb 6 to mid February | Official holiday: factories, offices and many banks closed; ports run with minimal staff |
| Late February | Factories reopen; staffing often around half to two thirds of normal |
| March | Most factories back to full capacity |
Sources: Flexport, Epic Sourcing and Cargolinked (citing Maersk) planning guides; Ascent Logistics on the 2025 pattern. Dates are estimates for 2027 based on typical years.
How should importers plan for it? A checklist
- Ask every supplier for their exact closing and reopening dates in writing, and when they stop accepting new production slots.
- Place the last pre-holiday production order by mid-November 2026 if goods must ship before the holiday (typical planning window: 10 to 12 weeks before February 6).
- Book freight 3 to 4 weeks earlier than usual for December and January departures, and agree a written cargo-ready date.
- Inspect before the factory closes. A pre-shipment inspection after the holiday can wait weeks for staff.
- Pay deposits and balances early. Banks and finance teams in China close for the official holiday too.
- Hold extra stock to cover about 6 to 8 weeks of sales from mid-January to early March.
- Do not start new samples or product development in late January: they will sit until March.
Quality problems spike after the holiday, when new or returning workers restart production lines. Schedule an inspection on the first batch made after the break.
How does Chinese New Year affect shipping?
Ocean and air capacity tightens in the weeks before the holiday as everyone tries to ship at once, and rates rise. Goods that miss the last pre-holiday sailings can wait weeks. Chinese ports do not fully close, but they run with fewer staff during the holiday week, and the backlog usually clears by late February. Ask your freight forwarder for their January cutoff dates in writing.
If you sell on Amazon or Etsy, the holiday lands right after your Q4 peak. Reorder bestsellers before Christmas, not after, or you can be out of stock until March.
What should you say to your supplier? English and Chinese
Short, clear messages get answered faster before the holiday. You can copy these:
| English | Chinese | Pinyin |
|---|---|---|
| When does your factory close for Chinese New Year, and when do you reopen? | 贵厂春节什么时候放假？什么时候复工？ | Guì chǎng Chūnjié shénme shíhou fàngjià? Shénme shíhou fùgōng? |
| What is the last date to place an order that ships before the holiday? | 节前出货的最后下单日期是哪天？ | Jié qián chūhuò de zuìhòu xiàdān rìqī shì nǎ tiān? |
| Please confirm the cargo-ready date in writing. | 请书面确认货物备妥日期。 | Qǐng shūmiàn quèrèn huòwù bèituǒ rìqī. |
| Can production finish before the holiday? | 节前能完成生产吗？ | Jié qián néng wánchéng shēngchǎn ma? |
| Happy New Year! We look forward to working with you in 2027. | 新年快乐！期待2027年继续合作。 | Xīnnián kuàilè! Qīdài èr líng èr qī nián jìxù hézuò. |
More first-contact and follow-up messages are in our free supplier message templates. For new suppliers, send a full RFQ before November so quotes come back while factories still have capacity.
Get quotes in before the shutdown
Our RFQ Builder turns your product details into a one-page supplier RFQ in English and Chinese, so factories can quote fast before the holiday. Pay once, no account, and your details stay on your device.
Frequently asked questions
When is Chinese New Year 2027?
Saturday, February 6, 2027. It is the Year of the Goat. The Lantern Festival, which traditionally ends the season, is on February 20, 2027.
How long do Chinese factories close for Chinese New Year?
The official holiday is usually 8 to 9 days, but factories typically slow down 2 to 3 weeks before it and run at reduced capacity for several weeks after. Flexport describes at least 4 weeks of closure or diminished capacity; full output often returns in March.
When should I place orders before Chinese New Year 2027?
For goods that must ship before the holiday, place the order about 10 to 12 weeks ahead, which is mid to late November 2026, and confirm the cargo-ready date in writing.
Are Chinese ports closed during Chinese New Year?
Ports do not fully close, but they run with minimal staff during the holiday week, and backlogs usually clear by late February.
Has China published the official 2027 holiday dates?
Not as of October 13, 2026. The State Council usually publishes the next year's holiday schedule in November. We will update this page when it is out.
How do you say Chinese New Year in Chinese?
春节 (Chūnjié), the Spring Festival. 放假 (fàngjià) means to close for the holiday and 复工 (fùgōng) means to restart work.
Dates other than February 6 and February 20, 2027 are typical patterns and estimates, not official schedules; China's official 2027 holiday notice was not yet published on October 13, 2026. This guide is general information. SuanSupply is not affiliated with any supplier, carrier or logistics firm named here.