The Year of the Horse is almost here!
If you’ve been in the logistics business long enough, you know all about Chinese New Year (also known as Lunar New Year)
the world’s largest annual migration where manufacturing hubs across Asia hit ‘pause’ for two weeks. The celebration isn’t just
in China; it’s a massive cultural celebration across Hong Kong, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, South
Korea, and North Korea. The exact timing of Chinese New Year is different each year—in 2026, it falls between February 17
and March 3.
But in the world of logistics, the impact hits much sooner. While millions of people across Asia celebrate this festive occasion
with red envelopes and bright fireworks, logistics managers around the world often feel a different kind of “spark”—the
realization that their supply chain is about to go dark for two weeks.
However, managing this lull doesn’t have to be a crisis; you just need a bit of foresight and a lot of strategy. As a seasoned
logistics partner with a presence in China, Hong Kong and Thailand, JFS Logistics has seen it all. Here’s our take on how to
maintain your momentum through the festivities:
- Plan Strategically
The biggest mistake is assuming the lull starts around the date of the New Year. In reality, the “shutdown” begins much earlier.
Workers often head home a week or two early to beat the travel rush, and production lines slow to a crawl long before the first
firework goes off.
The best way to get ahead of this is to analyze historical data from previous years to predict what you’ll need to survive a
production gap of (at least) a month and plan accordingly. Ideally, you should have your high-priority inventory secured and
moving by mid-January. - Diversify, Diversify
Following the usual modus operandi during peak season is like driving into a traffic jam—you’ll be stuck with everyone else.
That’s why you need to switch it up: opt for LCL (Less than Container Load) shipments when you don’t have time to wait for a
full container. If ocean freight is at a standstill, explore air freight options and vice versa. Utilize multimodal solutions through
hubs like Singapore or Dubai to bypass port congestion. Diversification isn’t just a strategy; it’s your insurance policy. - Turn Downtime into Strategy
While the factories are quiet, don’t just sit on your hands. This is the perfect time to conduct deep-dive audits, update SKU data
sheets, and analyze your performance from the previous quarter. By treating the lull as an optimization phase, you ensure that
when operations are back online, your operations are running leaner and faster than the competition. - Close the Communication Gap
Once the holiday begins, your usual contacts at the factory or the local port might go silent. This “communication blackout” can
be concerning if a shipment gets stuck in customs, or a document goes missing. Without personnel on the ground, you’re
essentially flying blind.
Establishing emergency contact protocols and completing all necessary processes ahead of time is one workaround. But the
definitive solution is to partner with a provider that has local staff working through the holiday, ensuring you always have eyes
on your cargo, even when everyone else is away. - Reopening Rush
Many businesses think the trouble ends the day the holiday is over. Plot twist: it doesn’t. The reopening phase is often more
volatile than the shutdown itself. There is often a labor shortage as workers take extra time to return or switch jobs entirely. It
can take factories until mid-March to reach 100% capacity again, leading to a massive backlog of orders.
The best way to manage this post-holiday lag is to build a buffer into your timelines and budget. Be prepared for the
reality—”normal” turnaround times won’t truly return until Q2.
Secure Your Supply Chain with a Regional Expert
The Lunar New Year doesn’t have to be a period of uncertainty. While delays and increased costs are nearly unavoidable,
proactive steps can help ensure smoother operations during this challenging time. We believe that successfully navigating the
Lunar New Year is easy if you have the right data, a bit of foresight, and a partner who knows the terrain.
Whether you need to fast-track a final shipment or require on-the-ground representation in Asia to manage your post-holiday
recovery, JFS Logistics is here to bridge the gap. From securing “first-out” space for the March reopening to building a
bulletproof strategy for next year, we specialize in keeping your goods moving when the world stops.
Talk to an expert from our team and get a priority quote customized to your business needs.
