CHINESE NEW YEAR 2026 - YEAR OF THE HORSE ALERT

Chinese New Year Production Delays Giving You Grief? No Worries, We've Got You Covered.

Don't let CNY chaos throw your production schedule into a tailspin. Our Aussie team with boots on the ground in China keeps your orders moving—even when everyone else shuts down.

35%
Faster turnaround than others during CNY
100%
Straight-up honest communication
500+
Aussie businesses we've helped

Yeah, We Know It's a Nightmare

We're Aussie business owners too. We get the headaches of importing from China when everyone's off for Chinese New Year.

Production Schedule Chaos

Factory shutdowns during CNY can blow out your delivery dates by weeks—even months. Without a heads up, your whole production schedule goes pear-shaped, and you're left scrambling to explain delays to your customers.

Radio Silence from Suppliers

Crickets from your suppliers. Vague responses about "delays" chucked in an email. Zero clue when your raw materials will actually rock up. Ring a bell? This lack of straight talk makes planning bloody impossible.

Financial Headaches

Without proper timelines, you risk overselling to customers or copping thousands in emergency air freight bills. One dodgy shipment can set you back $17k+ and nearly sink your business—we've seen it happen to good operators.

Quality Control Nightmares

Rushed production before CNY often means dodgy quality. Getting a shipment where 75% is useless isn't just frustrating—it's a disaster. Quality goes out the window when factories are under the pump.

Lost in Translation

Time zones, language barriers, and cultural mix-ups get worse during CNY. Important details get lost when you need clear answers most. Good luck getting a straight answer when everyone's rushed off their feet.

Port Congestion Madness

Even if your order's ready to go, pre-CNY port chaos and post-holiday backlogs can delay shipments for weeks. Without inside intel, you're basically flying blind.

How We Keep Your Orders Moving During CNY

Aussie-owned with a proper team on the ground in China. We speak both languages and know how to get things done—even during the madness.

Boots on the Ground in China

We're not some mob sending emails from Australia. Our team's actually in Ningbo and Guangzhou, physically at the factories, managing your orders in real-time throughout CNY. No middlemen, no BS.

  • Factory visits before, during, and after CNY
  • Direct connections with manufacturers
  • Real-time production updates
  • Problems sorted straight away

Bilingual Team Who Actually Get It

Our team bridges the gap between what you need as an Aussie business and how Chinese manufacturing actually works. We understand the urgency because we're locals too—and we don't take ourselves too seriously.

  • Aussie project managers based here at home
  • Fluent Mandarin speakers in China
  • Cultural know-how, not just translation
  • Clear communication in your timezone

Fast-Track When You Need It

Need to beat the CNY rush? Our fast-track service gets your orders priority treatment with suppliers we trust—the ones who can keep quality up even when they're flat out.

  • Priority slots with proven manufacturers
  • Expedited quality checks
  • Backup suppliers if needed
  • Smart pre-CNY production planning

Proper Quality Control

We won't let the CNY rush compromise your product quality. Our thorough QC process means you get exactly what you ordered—no nasty surprises when the container rocks up.

  • Pre-production samples for approval
  • Inspections during production
  • Final checks before shipping
  • Detailed photo and video reports

Straight-Up Communication

No more radio silence. We give you regular updates on production, shipping schedules, and any potential hiccups—before they turn into major problems. You'll always know what's happening.

  • Weekly production updates
  • Immediate heads-up if issues pop up
  • Accurate ETA updates throughout
  • Direct line to your project manager

Logistics Sorted

We handle port congestion, freight forwarding, and customs with our established network—making sure your gear arrives on time, no dramas.

  • Pre-CNY shipping priority
  • Alternative ports if needed
  • Full warehousing solutions
  • Customs paperwork handled

Important dates to mark in your calendar so you can plan ahead

NOW - Mid January

Pre-CNY Rush Period

Orders Flooding In

Factories are chockers with pre-CNY orders. Lead times blowing out fast. This is your window to lock in production slots before everything shuts down.

Late Jan - Early Feb

Final Production Push

Last-Minute Rush

Factories are flat out trying to finish orders before shutdown. Quality control gets crucial as everyone's under the pump. Heaps of workers head home early.

February 6, 2026

Last Working Day

Our Team's Last Day

Our China team works till Feb 6th—longer than most! This gives you a few extra days for urgent stuff before everything shuts down.

February 16, 2026

CNY Eve - Day Before

Everything Closes

Most factories already shut. Shipping companies stop taking new bookings. Ports go absolutely mental with everyone trying to ship last-minute orders.

February 17, 2026

Chinese New Year Day

Total Shutdown - Year of the Horse

Year of the Horse kicks off officially. All manufacturing stops. Offices shut nationwide. Only skeleton crews at ports and logistics centres.

Feb 17-23, 2026

Official Holiday Week

Official Holiday Week

7-day public holiday. Zero production. Bugger all logistics. Getting hold of suppliers? Forget about it. But our Aussie office stays open for emergencies.

Feb 24 - March 1

Extended Closure Period

Gradual Return

Official holiday wraps up Feb 23, but most factories stay closed longer. Workers slowly filter back from home. Operations running at maybe 30-50% capacity.

March 2, 2026

Epic China Team Returns

We're Back at It

Our China team's back in action March 2nd. Factories slowly get back to full speed. Order backlogs are huge. Lead times stay longer than normal for 4-6 weeks while everyone catches up.

Late March - Early April

Back to Normal

Back to Business as Usual

Manufacturing gets back to normal pace. Lead times return to standard. CNY chaos finally over—nearly 2 months after it kicked off.

Get Your Fast-Track Quote

Chuck your details in below and we'll get back to you within 24 hours with a solution that actually works
Thank you
Thanks for reaching out. We will get back to you soon.
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Common Questions

How far ahead should I order before Chinese New Year?

What happens if my order gets delayed during CNY?

How long till production gets back to normal after CNY?

Can I still talk to suppliers during Chinese New Year?

Does quality go to pot when factories rush before CNY?

What's the difference between you guys and going direct to suppliers?

How much does your fast-track service cost?

Can you help if I've already got suppliers but need better CNY management?

1800 00 EPIC
FREE DOWNLOAD

How to find reliable suppliers in China

  • What to look for when researching suppliers
  • Actionable advice from industry experts
  • Tips to help you save time and money
BY SUBMITTING THIS FORM YOU ARE SUBSCRIBING TO OUR MAILING LIST. VIEW OUR PRIVACY POLICY.
OUT SOURCE
how to import products from china from verified suppliers
BONUS: Manufacturer prospecting spreadsheet