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Every year around January or February, China prepares for its biggest celebration of the year, Chinese New Year (CNY). Millions of workers travel home, factories close their doors, and ports grow quiet. For nearly two weeks, the world’s manufacturing powerhouse takes a pause.
The scale of this slowdown is immense, and the impact is especially felt in countries like India, where a significant share of imports originates from Chinese suppliers. For Indian businesses, the holiday season can mean shipping delays from China, disrupted production schedules, and the risk of empty shelves.
For Indian importers, proactive demand planning is no longer optional; it’s essential to ensure your business can weather the Chinese New Year slowdown. From understanding why supply chains are disrupted to leveraging express logistics, this guide covers the critical steps every Indian business should take to prepare for Chinese New Year.
Chinese New Year is more than just a holiday; it’s a nationwide exodus. Most factories close for at least one to two weeks, with many workers taking extra time off to travel home. According to Statista, China accounted for 29% of the world’s manufacturing output in 20231, making these closures a major global disruption. For Indian businesses that import from China, this can translate into a complete halt in production.
The weeks leading up to Chinese New Year see a surge in shipping demand. Businesses rush to move goods before the holiday, leading to congested ports, overcrowded airports, and container shortage. This pre-holiday frenzy often forces importers to compete fiercely for limited capacity, further aggravating shipping delays.
Even after the festivities conclude, factories don’t return to full speed immediately. Worker shortages, backlogs, and extended ramp-up periods can keep delayed shipments lingering for weeks. For Indian businesses, express shipping services from China have become a critical tool for navigating post-holiday bottlenecks and maintaining a steady supply.
Chinese New Year can disrupt supply chains across sectors, with certain industries especially vulnerable to production halts and shipping delays:
Proactive planning is key to avoiding costly delays during Chinese New Year. Key steps to stay ahead include:
A space crunch during the pre-Chinese New Year rush occurs when demand for container or air cargo capacity far exceeds supply. As businesses scramble to ship orders, vessels become overbooked, containers grow scarce, and any shipping delay from China cascades through the supply chain, creating a domino effect.
For importers, the consequences can be severe: higher freight costs, unexpected delays lasting weeks, and the risk of critical shipments being left behind entirely. Being aware of this peak period allows businesses to explore alternatives such as express shipping services.
DHL Express operates its own fleet and a dedicated network, offering Indian businesses a reliable channel for shipping essential goods from China during the Chinese New Year peak season. This dedicated capacity can make the difference when other carriers are overwhelmed.
Navigating complex import regulations is a challenge, particularly during peak periods. DHL Express’ customs expertise and digital tools streamline the process, ensuring shipments clear customs quickly and efficiently, minimizing the risk of costly delays.
Real-time tracking and day-definite delivery options allow importers to monitor their shipments and plan inventory accurately. This transparency helps maintain smooth operations even amidst the holiday chaos.
By connecting your business with DHL Express, you gain access to a full suite of worldwide express logistics solutions designed to mitigate the impact of Chinese New Year on your supply chain. Whether you need air freight, rapid customs clearance, or full shipment visibility, our import and export services allow you to stay ahead of potential disruptions and receive or send international parcels with ease.
Plan ahead, safeguard your supply chain, and keep your business moving. Create a DHL Express Business Account today and ensure smooth shipping to India and beyond during the Chinese New Year period.
Not completely, but it slows down significantly. Most factories, ports, and logistics providers in China shut down or operate at limited capacity. Even after operations resume, it can take several more weeks for production and shipping schedules to return to normal.
Under normal conditions without shipping delays, sea freight between China and India can take anywhere from 12 to 45 days, depending on the origin and destination ports.
Yes. Imports from China to India are subject to a range of taxes and duties, including Basic Customs Duty (BCD), Integrated GST (IGST), and other applicable taxes. The total amount payable depends on the type of goods, their declared value, and the applicable HS (Harmonised System) code.
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