---
title: "Chinese New Year 2027: how to prepare your supply chain"
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 8 min read
# Chinese New Year 2027: how to prepare your supply chain
[Blog](https://blog.ibanfirst.com/en) 
[Tools, tips & tricks](https://blog.ibanfirst.com/en/tag/tools-tips-tricks#topics-list)
Publication date
28 October 2026
Jump straight to
- [Why does Chinese New Year disrupt supply chains?](https://blog.ibanfirst.com/en/chinese-new-year-checklist#disrupt)
- [How to prepare for Chinese New Year 2027](https://blog.ibanfirst.com/en/chinese-new-year-checklist#prepare)
- [Chinese New Year 2027 planning timeline](https://blog.ibanfirst.com/en/chinese-new-year-checklist#planning)
- [Common mistakes to avoid](https://blog.ibanfirst.com/en/chinese-new-year-checklist#mistakes)
- [What if a supplier does not reopen?](https://blog.ibanfirst.com/en/chinese-new-year-checklist#reopen)
- [Final checklist for importers](https://blog.ibanfirst.com/en/chinese-new-year-checklist#checklist)
- [Take control of your international payments with iBanFirst](https://blog.ibanfirst.com/en/chinese-new-year-checklist#choose%20us)
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Publication date
28 October 2026
Chinese New Year is one of the most important events in the global manufacturing calendar. For businesses importing from China and other parts of Asia, it can also be one of the most disruptive.
Chinese New Year 2027 begins on 6 February 2027, marking the Year of the Goat. However, the operational impact is not limited to the official holiday period.
Factories may slow production before the celebrations, while transport, payment processing and supplier communication may take longer than usual, needing several weeks to return to normal output afterwards.
**For importers, the key is to plan orders, logistics, inventory and payments around the wider disruption window rather than focusing only on the holiday itself.**
## Why does Chinese New Year disrupt supply chains?
Chinese New Year affects more than factory opening hours. As workers travel home, suppliers, manufacturers, banks and logistics providers may all operate on reduced schedules, creating pressure across the entire supply chain.
As a result, companies importing from Asia may face:
- Reduced production before the holiday
- Factory closures during the celebrations
- Delays in the sourcing of raw materials
- Tighter shipping capacity
- Higher freight costs
- Quality control issues
- Payment and documentation delays
- A slower return to normal production
Production can slow before the holiday, while shipping, payments and supplier communication may take longer than usual. These risks form part of the wider challenge of [managing supply chain risk for global SMEs](https://blog.ibanfirst.com/en/supply-chain-risk-management-strategies).
### Factory production slows down
Many workers in China's manufacturing centres travel to their home provinces for the celebrations. This creates the world's largest annual human migration and can significantly reduce factory staffing levels.
Factories may begin slowing production one or two weeks before the official holiday. After the celebrations, production may restart gradually as workers return. In some cases, factories may also need to recruit and train new employees.
This means that a factory's official reopening date does not necessarily indicate that it is operating at full capacity.
### Raw-material sourcing can become more difficult
Your supplier may depend on other companies for components, packaging or raw materials. Those suppliers may also close or reduce their activity around Chinese New Year.
This creates a potential chain reaction. Even if your main supplier is ready to manufacture, it may not have access to everything required to complete your order.
### Quality risks can increase
Quality issues can arise both before and after the holiday.
Before the holiday, factories may be under pressure to complete as many orders as possible before closing. This can lead to rushed production, compressed inspection schedules or a greater risk of errors.
After the holiday, suppliers may be dealing with a backlog of orders and production may involve new or recently trained employees.
Importers should therefore pay close attention to product specifications, packaging, documentation and pre-shipment inspections during the pre- and post-holiday periods.
### Shipping capacity comes under pressure
Importers often increase order volumes before the holiday in an attempt to build inventory, which can put pressure on shipping, rail and air freight providers.
The combination of higher demand and lower available capacity can make it more difficult to secure space on a vessel, aircraft or train. Freight rates may also rise as companies compete for the capacity available.
### Payments and documentation may be delayed
Banks, freight forwarders, customs offices and other administrative services may operate with reduced capacity during the holiday period, meaning payment cut-off times and settlement schedules can vary.
Businesses should confirm these details in advance, particularly when working with suppliers that require payment before shipment.
## How to prepare for Chinese New Year 2027
The earlier you start preparing for Chinese New Year, the more options you will have if production or transport schedules change.
By confirming supplier dates, placing priority orders, booking freight and reviewing inventory and payment requirements in advance, you can reduce disruption and protect customer deliveries during the holiday period.
### 1. Confirm your suppliers' dates early
While the national holiday calendar can be a good starting point, it's better to ask each of your suppliers to confirm:
- The final date for accepting orders
- The final date for starting production
- The factory closure date
- The expected reopening date
- The date when full production is expected to resume
- Whether staffing levels will change after reopening
- The final date for shipping goods before the holiday
### 2. Place priority orders well in advance
Avoid leaving important orders until January. By then, factories may already be operating below normal capacity and may have limited production slots available.
Work backwards from the date when the goods are required. Allow time for production, inspection, documentation, transport and customs clearance, as well as a contingency buffer.
For example, if you need a shipment by 31 March 2027, and your supplier requires six weeks for production while your logistics provider estimates four weeks for freight, you now need around 10 weeks. Add time for inspections, documentation and a contingency buffer, and the order may need to be placed by early December 2026.
Priority should be given to:
- Products with long manufacturing lead times
- Critical components
- Single-source products
- Items with limited substitutes
- Goods linked to firm customer commitments
### 3. Book transport early
Transport should be planned at the same time as production, not after the goods are ready.
As a starting point, many importers should consider requesting transport capacity four to six weeks before the desired shipping date. The exact lead time will depend on the product, route, mode of transport and current market conditions.
Ask your logistics provider about:
- Booking cut-off dates
- Blank sailings or reduced services
- Expected port congestion
- Alternative routes
- Transit time assumptions
- Documentation deadlines
- Potential surcharges
### 4. Build inventory selectively
Holding additional inventory can help protect customer service levels during the disruption period. However, building stock indiscriminately can tie up cash and create excess inventory.
A more targeted approach is to assess each product according to:
- Demand forecasts
- Customer commitments
- Supplier reliability
- Replacement lead time
- Product criticality
- Storage costs
- The financial impact of a stockout
The objective is not necessarily to maximise inventory. It is to maintain continuity where disruption would be most costly.
### 5. Strengthen quality controls
Consider scheduling additional quality checks immediately before the holiday and during the post-holiday production ramp-up.
Depending on the product, this may include:
- Pre-production checks
- Inspections during production
- Pre-shipment inspections
- Product sampling
- Packaging and labelling checks
- Verification of certificates and shipping documents
Any changes to production staff, materials or processes should be discussed with the supplier before manufacturing resumes.
### 6. Plan supplier payments in advance
Payment delays can create operational problems if goods cannot be released until a supplier confirms receipt of funds.
Before the holiday, confirm each supplier’s:
- Payment cut-off date
- Expected settlement time
- Preferred payment currency
Also check whether the supplier requires payment before shipment and whether its bank will process payments during the holiday period.
Make sure internal approvals are completed early, particularly for large or time-sensitive payments. If several supplier payments are due around Chinese New Year, review your cash flow forecast and prepare the required currency balances in advance.
Businesses that [pay overseas suppliers](https://ibanfirst.com/solutions/pay-suppliers-abroad) through iBanFirst gain visibility over payment timing, exchange rates and settlement status. This can help coordinate supplier payments with production schedules, shipment release and cash flow requirements.
### 7. Review your foreign-exchange exposure
Chinese New Year planning is also a treasury issue. If your European business needs to make large supplier payments in CNY, USD or another currency, exchange rate movements can affect the final cost of your goods.
Before the holiday period, review:
- The value and timing of upcoming supplier payments
- Your exposure to currency movements
- The currency used in supplier contracts
- The impact of a delayed shipment or payment
- Whether you need to secure an exchange rate in advance
- The effect on your cash flow forecast and margins
[iBanFirst’s currency risk management tools](https://ibanfirst.com/platform/currency-risk-management) can help businesses plan future payments and protect margins. For a broader introduction, see [effective strategies for mitigating foreign exchange risk](https://blog.ibanfirst.com/en/mitigating-currency-risk).
Supply chain planning and currency planning should be considered together. A delayed order can change the timing of both cash outflows and customer receipts.
### 8. Maintain payment visibility
Payment visibility becomes particularly important when shipment release depends on confirmed settlement.
With [international payment tracking](https://ibanfirst.com/platform/international-payment-tracking), businesses can monitor payment progress and reduce the need for manual follow-up with banks, suppliers and logistics providers.
Finance teams can also use [payment reconciliation solutions](https://ibanfirst.com/solutions/reconcile-payments) to connect payment records with invoices and accounting workflows.
## Chinese New Year 2027 planning timeline
The following timetable is indicative. Always confirm exact dates with your suppliers and logistics providers.
| **Period** | **Recommended action** |
| --- | --- |
| October to November 2026 | Identify affected suppliers, products and customer commitments. |
| November to December 2026 | Confirm closure dates, place priority orders and review inventory requirements. |
| December 2026 to January 2027 | Book transport, complete production checks and confirm payment schedules. |
| January 2027 | Expect slower production and increased pressure on transport capacity. |
| February 2027 | Chinese New Year begins. Monitor gradual reopening and confirm actual production capacity. |
| Late February to early March 2027 | Reconfirm quality, staffing, shipment and delivery schedules. |
## Common mistakes to avoid
Businesses preparing for Chinese New Year should avoid:
- Assuming all suppliers close on the same date
- Waiting until January to place critical orders
- Booking freight only after production is complete
- Promising customers normal delivery times without a contingency buffer
- Ignoring quality risks after factories reopen
- Leaving supplier payments until the final banking day
- Depending on a single supplier for critical products
- Carrying over outdated assumptions about freight rates or shipping conditions
Leaving payments until the last possible banking day can create operational problems, particularly where shipment release depends on confirmed funds. Read more about [payment-related cargo release delays](https://blog.ibanfirst.com/en/cargo-release-payment-delays).
## What if a supplier does not reopen?
Although most suppliers resume operations, importers should have a contingency plan in case a factory reopens late, changes its capacity or ceases trading. This plan could include:
- Alternative suppliers
- Substitute products or components
- Secondary logistics routes
- Additional safety stock
- Revised customer communication
- Pre-approved escalation contacts
- A review of outstanding payments and deposits
Supplier diversification may require additional work, but it can significantly reduce the impact of an unexpected interruption.
## Final checklist for importers
Before Chinese New Year begins, make sure you have:
- Confirmed supplier closure and reopening dates
- Identified final order and production cut-off dates
- Placed critical orders early
- Booked transport capacity
- Reviewed inventory and customer commitments
- Scheduled quality inspections
- Confirmed payment and documentation deadlines
- Assessed FX exposure
- Identified alternative suppliers or routes
- Added contingency to delivery commitments
Chinese New Year is a recurring event, but its impact does not have to be unpredictable.
Businesses that prepare early can reduce the risk of production delays, shipping disruption, quality problems and payment issues. The most important step is to plan around the full operating cycle: the slowdown before the holiday, the closure period itself and the gradual return to normal production afterwards.
For international businesses, this preparation should include both supply chain and treasury planning. By coordinating orders, transport, inventory, supplier payments and currency exposure, importers can protect continuity and reduce unpleasant surprises during the 2027 holiday period.
## Take control of your international payments with iBanFirst
Are you preparing upcoming supplier payments around Chinese New Year? iBanFirst helps international businesses manage multi-currency payments and currency risk while maintaining better visibility over cross-border cash flows.
With iBanFirst, you can:
- [Hold and receive funds in 25+ currencies](https://ibanfirst.com/platform/augmented-currency-accounts) with a multi-currency account
- [Send cross-border payments](https://ibanfirst.com/platform/cross-border-payments) in 135+ currencies to 180+ countries
- [Lock in exchange rates for future payments](https://ibanfirst.com/platform/currency-risk-management) with forward payment contracts
- [Track payments in real time](https://ibanfirst.com/platform/international-payment-tracking) from initiation through settlement
[**Open an account**](https://info.ibanfirst.com/en/request-an-account) **to manage cross-border payments to suppliers in China, Hong Kong, the United States, the United Arab Emirates and more.**
## Common questions about Chinese New Year
### What is Chinese New Year?
Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, follows the lunisolar calendar, which means that its date changes each year. It is celebrated across China and in other countries and territories with significant Chinese communities, including Hong Kong, Taiwan, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia.
The celebrations traditionally last around 15 days. In business terms, however, the impact can last considerably longer.
### How long do Chinese New Year factory closures last?
The official holiday period does not represent the full operational impact. Factories may slow production before the holiday and take several weeks to return to normal capacity afterwards.
### When should I place an order before Chinese New Year?
When you need to place an order will depend on the supplier, product and transport route. We recommend you confirm the dates directly with each supplier and book transport as early as possible.
Start by asking your supplier for its final order and production cut-off dates. Then work backwards from the date when you need the goods to arrive.
### When should I book freight before Chinese New Year?
We recommend booking transport as early as possible, ideally once production requirements and target shipping dates are clear. The exact lead time will depend on the route, transport mode and market conditions.
### Should I pay suppliers before or after Chinese New Year?
When you pay suppliers will depend on their terms, bank cut-off dates, payment currency and shipment arrangements. You should confirm the supplier’s final payment date and check how long your payment provider and the beneficiary’s bank need to process and credit the funds.
For large or time-sensitive payments, complete internal approvals and prepare the required currency balance well before the cut-off date. You can also use [international payment tracking](https://ibanfirst.com/platform/international-payment-tracking) to monitor payment progress and share confirmation with your supplier.
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