Chinese New Year is the single biggest scheduling risk in the China import calendar. Factories typically close for 2 to 4 weeks, banks observe a public holiday of their own, and the queue of orders on either side of the shutdown is longer than at any other point in the year. If your deposit lands late, you do not lose a few days — you lose your slot, and the next one is on the other side of the holiday.
- The date moves every year. Chinese New Year falls between late January and late February, so check the actual date before planning a shipment.
- Most factories stop production before the official holiday and restart slowly afterwards — plan for a longer closure than the calendar shows.
- Chinese banks close for the public holiday too, so a payment sent during it will not be credited until they reopen.
- Pay your deposit early enough that the factory can book materials before the shutdown, not just acknowledge your order.
- Expect the first weeks back to run at reduced capacity as staff return.
Why the shutdown is longer than the official holiday
The public holiday itself is short, but that is not how long your supplier is actually closed. Chinese New Year is the one time of year most factory workers travel home, often a long way, and the practical shutdown stretches on both sides of the official dates.
Production usually winds down in the week or two beforehand as workers leave early and the factory stops taking on anything it cannot finish. Afterwards, staff return gradually rather than all at once, and some do not return at all — turnover around the holiday is high, so a factory may be training replacements while trying to clear a backlog.
What this does to your payment timeline
Two separate things slow down, and it helps to keep them apart. The first is production: your goods are not being made. The second is settlement: the banking system that moves your money is also on holiday.
| Stage | Normal period | Around Chinese New Year |
|---|---|---|
| Supplier confirms payment received | Same or next working day | May wait until banks reopen |
| Factory books materials | Days | Only if paid before the shutdown |
| Production starts | Shortly after deposit | After the holiday, in queue order |
| Balance payment and dispatch | On completion | Subject to post-holiday backlog |
The order of operations matters more than usual. A deposit that arrives before the shutdown lets the factory buy raw materials and hold your place in the production queue. A deposit that arrives during it does neither — it simply sits there, and you join the queue when everyone else does.
How to time your deposit
- 1Confirm the actual Chinese New Year dates for the year in question — they move, and planning off last year’s dates is a common and expensive error.
- 2Ask your supplier directly when they stop production and when they expect to be back at full capacity. Get it in writing.
- 3Work backwards from their stop date, allowing time for your payment to clear and for them to confirm receipt.
- 4Send the deposit with room to spare rather than on the last possible day.
- 5Confirm in writing that the deposit was received and that your order is booked, not merely quoted.
What to watch for on the other side
The weeks after the holiday carry their own risks, and they are not only about speed. Prices quoted before the break are not always honoured afterwards, particularly if raw material costs have moved or the factory has lost staff.
- Re-confirm your unit price and specification in writing before the balance payment.
- Expect quality variation while new staff are being trained, and inspect accordingly.
- Allow extra time for freight — everyone is shipping at once, so space is tight and rates rise.
- Be sceptical of a supplier who suddenly asks for payment to a different account after the break.
That last point deserves attention. Any change of bank details is worth verifying independently at any time of year, and a period when staff have changed and communication is patchy is exactly when an impersonation attempt is most likely to succeed.
Frequently asked questions
When exactly is Chinese New Year?
It follows the lunar calendar, so the date changes every year, falling somewhere between late January and late February. Always check the specific date for the year you are planning, rather than assuming it is the same week as last year.
Can I pay my supplier during the holiday?
You can send the payment, but it may not be credited or acknowledged until Chinese banks reopen. More importantly, it will not get your order into production any sooner, because the factory is closed regardless.
How much earlier should I place an order before the holiday?
There is no single number, because it depends on your product, the factory’s existing order book and their material lead times. Ask the supplier for their last deposit date and work backwards from that, rather than relying on a rule of thumb.
Will my supplier hold my price over the holiday?
Not necessarily. Quotes often carry a validity period, and costs can move over a break of several weeks. Re-confirm the price and specification in writing before you send the balance.
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