Maritime Holidays

China Port Holidays & Shipping Closures

Holidays that affect shipping in China: Chinese New Year (Spring Festival), National Day Golden Week, Labor Day.

Country
China
Holidays listed
4

These holidays can affect port, customs, and trucking operations in China. Plan bookings and cargo cut-offs around them, and confirm exact dates with your carrier or local agent.

Chinese New Year (Spring Festival)

Most significant Chinese holiday. Factories close 2-4 weeks. Severe labor shortages. Impact: critical; customs closed, trucking limited. Ship cargo 4-6 weeks before CNY. Expect delays 2-3 weeks after holiday ends. Pre-book capacity early.

  • Factories typically close 1-2 weeks before official holiday
  • Many workers do not return until Lantern Festival (15 days after CNY)
  • Port operations reduced but not stopped
  • Trucking severely limited due to driver shortages
  • Customs clearance suspended during official holiday

National Day Golden Week

Week-long national holiday celebrating founding of PRC. Second largest holiday after CNY. Impact: high; customs closed, trucking limited. Complete shipments 2 weeks before. Expect 1-2 week delays after holiday.

  • Factories close for 7 days minimum
  • Some factories extend to 10+ days
  • Port operations continue with reduced staff
  • Customs clearance suspended

Labor Day

International Workers Day with extended holiday period. Impact: medium; customs closed, trucking limited. Plan shipments around the holiday. Minor delays expected.

  • Official 5-day holiday (adjusted with weekend)
  • Factories typically close 3-5 days
  • Port operations normal with skeleton staff

Mid-Autumn Festival

Traditional harvest festival, often near National Day. Impact: medium; customs closed. Check if combining with National Day for extended closure.

  • 3-day official holiday
  • May combine with National Day for extended break
  • Factory closures vary by industry

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Frequently asked questions

Which holidays affect shipping in China?

Chinese New Year (Spring Festival), National Day Golden Week, Labor Day, Mid-Autumn Festival

Do ports close in China during holidays?

Chinese New Year (Spring Festival): ports not listed as closed; National Day Golden Week: ports not listed as closed; Labor Day: ports not listed as closed; Mid-Autumn Festival: ports not listed as closed