Importers sourcing from China and across Asia will have a shorter window to complete orders and secure transport before Lunar New Year in 2027. The holiday falls on 6 February, 11 days earlier than in 2026.
That shift can have a disproportionate effect on supply chains. Factories commonly reduce production or close lines several weeks before the holiday, while exporters bring shipments forward. Vessel space, equipment, trucking and warehouse capacity can therefore tighten at the same time. Recovery may also be gradual after the holiday, with reduced staffing affecting output into March.
The risk is greatest for goods with long production lead times, customised specifications or limited sourcing alternatives. A missed production slot can delay a vessel departure, push replenishment beyond schedule and force expensive last-minute freight.
Planning recommendations
SEKO Logistics UK recommends starting discussions around three months before the holiday and confirming bookings at least three weeks before cargo is ready. Importers should also add one to two weeks to transit assumptions and forecast stock through both the shutdown and the recovery period.
The issue is material for UK businesses. Goods imports from China totalled £74.9 billion in the four quarters to the end of the first quarter of 2026. Supplier-specific closure dates, production visibility and earlier freight decisions will be important to protect availability as the 2027 calendar begins to compress.
A multilingual professional experienced in Europe, Canada, and China, Herbert has developed invaluable networks in the automotive and energy industries. He has led high-profile projects involving ENBW, Mercedes-Benz Group, Siemens Group, and the Fraunhofer Institute.