Surviving the 2026 Chinese New Year Rush: A Shipping Timeline for US Importers

Date: December 22, 2025 Category: Logistics Insights / China to USA

As we approach the end of 2025, seasoned importers know that the biggest logistical hurdle of the year is just around the corner: Chinese New Year (CNY) 2026.

For businesses importing from China to the USA, this isn't just a holiday—it’s a complete supply chain shutdown. Factories close, truckers head home, and carriers cancel voyages (blank sailings). If you don't plan now, you risk facing empty shelves in Q1.

At Forest Leopard, we want to ensure your inventory lands in Los Angeles, New York, or Texas on time. Here is your definitive guide to navigating the pre-CNY shipping rush.

The "Direct Answer": When is the Deadline?

If you are looking for a quick answer, here it is: Chinese New Year 2026 falls on February 17, 2026.

However, logistics stops moving long before the fireworks start. To get your goods on a vessel before the shutdown, you must aim for the following targets:

l Book Your Container: By January 10, 2026.

l Cargo Ready Date: No later than January 25, 2026.

Pro Tip: Do not wait until February. By then, trucking capacity in China will drop by 80%, and spot rates will skyrocket.

Why CNY 2026 is Critical for Your Supply Chain

Many US importers assume the holiday lasts only one week. In reality, the impact on manufacturing and logistics spans nearly 40 days.

1. The "Factory Shutdown" Phenomenon

While the official holiday starts in mid-February, workers often leave for their hometowns 2-3 weeks early.

l Late Jan 2026: Production slows down; factories stop accepting new rush orders.

l Early Feb 2026: Most production lines halt completely.

l Early March 2026: Factories reopen, but it takes weeks to reach full capacity as workers return.

2. The Logistics Bottleneck

It’s not just the factories. Container truck drivers in China also leave early. Even if your goods are ready, finding a driver to move your container from the factory to ports like Yantian or Ningbo becomes a bidding war.

The 2026 Pre-CNY Shipping Timeline

Save this schedule to align your production with logistics.

Note: Dates are estimates based on standard operational flows. Contact Forest Leopard for real-time sailing schedules.

What Are "Blank Sailings" and Why Do They Matter?

During and immediately after CNY, ocean carriers (like COSCO, Maersk, MSC) will implement Blank Sailings. This means they cancel scheduled voyages because there is no cargo to pick up from China.

The Risk: If your cargo misses the pre-holiday cutoff, it might not just be delayed by a week—it could be stuck at the Chinese port for 3-4 weeks waiting for the next available ship in March.

3 Strategies If You Are Running Late

It is late December/early January. Your supplier says production is delayed. What do you do?

1. Switch to Matson Express (The "Fast Boat")

If you miss the standard ocean vessels, Matson (CLX/CLX+) is your safety net.

l Speed: 11 days from Shanghai to Long Beach.

l Benefit: Matson has its own terminal, avoiding congestion.

l Forest Leopard Solution: We can truck your goods from Shenzhen/Yiwu to Shanghai to catch the Matson vessel, saving you weeks compared to standard sea freight.

2. The "Hybrid" Approach (Air + Sea)

Don't ship everything by air—it eats your profit margins. Instead, split your shipment:

l Ship 20% by Air Freight to keep stock flowing for February sales.

l Ship the remaining 80% by Sea Freight to arrive in March.

3. Use Pre-Clearance (DDP)

Ensure your paperwork is perfect. Use Forest Leopard’s DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) service. We handle the customs clearance before the ship even docks, ensuring that once your cargo arrives in the US, it moves immediately to UPS/FedEx for final delivery.

How Forest Leopard Helps You Win the CNY Rush

At Forest Leopard, we prepare for the "CNY Crunch" months in advance. Here is how we support our partners:

1. Guaranteed Space: We hold block space agreements (BSA) with major carriers to ensure your container gets on board, even when space is tight.

2. Warehousing: If your factory finishes early but the ship is late, we can store your goods in our Shenzhen or Yiwu warehouses for free.

3. Real-Time Tracking: You will know exactly where your cargo is before everyone goes on holiday.

Final Thoughts

The window to ship before the Year of the Horse arrives is closing fast. Don't let your business stall in Q1.

Ready to secure your pre-CNY space?Contact Forest Leopard Today for a Quote – Let’s get your cargo moving before the fireworks start.