China Factory Order Deadline Calculator: When to Place Your Last Order Before Shutdown
Calculate the final order date for your product category before Chinese New Year and Golden Week. Accounts for production lead times, shipping, and the practical shutdown window (not just official holidays).
Chinese New Year 2026: Last Order Deadlines by Product Category
Official shutdown: February 15, 2026 – February 23, 2026. Practical impact: February 1, 2026 – March 9, 2026.
| Product Category | Production Lead Time | Shipping (Sea Freight) | Order By |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electronics / PCBAs | 6 weeks | 4 weeks | November 23, 2025 |
| Garments / Textiles | 8 weeks | 5 weeks | November 2, 2025 |
| Furniture / Large Items | 10 weeks | 6 weeks | October 12, 2025 |
| Simple Components / Hardware | 4 weeks | 4 weeks | December 7, 2025 |
| Custom Packaging / Print | 3 weeks | 4 weeks | December 14, 2025 |
Deadlines assume sea freight to US West Coast. Add 1–2 weeks for US East Coast, 2–3 weeks for Europe. Air freight reduces shipping to 1 week but costs 5–8x more.
Golden Week 2026: Last Order Deadlines by Product Category
Official shutdown: October 1, 2026 – October 7, 2026. Practical impact: September 28, 2026 – October 12, 2026.
| Product Category | Production Lead Time | Shipping (Sea Freight) | Order By |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electronics / PCBAs | 6 weeks | 4 weeks | August 17, 2026 |
| Garments / Textiles | 8 weeks | 5 weeks | August 3, 2026 |
| Furniture / Large Items | 10 weeks | 6 weeks | July 20, 2026 |
| Simple Components / Hardware | 4 weeks | 4 weeks | August 24, 2026 |
| Custom Packaging / Print | 3 weeks | 4 weeks | August 24, 2026 |
Deadlines assume sea freight to US West Coast. Add 1–2 weeks for US East Coast, 2–3 weeks for Europe. Air freight reduces shipping to 1 week but costs 5–8x more.
How We Calculate These Deadlines
- Practical shutdown start — factories begin losing workers 2 weeks before CNY (earlier than the official holiday)
- Minus production lead time — your order must be FINISHED before the slowdown, not just placed
- Minus shipping transit — sea freight from China to US West Coast is ~4 weeks; East Coast ~5 weeks; Europe ~6 weeks
- Result — the last date to place (and confirm deposit on) your purchase order
These are conservative estimates. Many experienced importers add an extra 1–2 weeks of buffer for QC issues, container booking delays, or supplier communication gaps.
Pro Tips for Sourcing Around Chinese Holidays
- Confirm production slots in writing — verbal commitments mean nothing pre-CNY; get written confirmation with deposit paid
- Pre-shipment inspection before shutdown — schedule QC inspection at least 1 week before the factory closes; don't accept "we'll ship right after CNY"
- Watch for price increases — raw material costs often rise 5–10% after CNY as demand surges; lock pricing before shutdown
- Have a backup supplier — worker retention post-CNY is unpredictable; some factories lose 20–30% of their workforce and take weeks to recover
- Don't forget Vietnam — Vietnam observes Tết simultaneously; dual-sourcing from both doesn't reduce Lunar New Year risk
FAQ
When should I place my last order before Chinese New Year?
For most products, place your final order 8–16 weeks before the factory shutdown begins. With CNY 2026 starting February 15, 2026, factories begin slowing down 2 weeks earlier. Add your production lead time + shipping time to calculate your specific deadline.
Do Chinese factories close for Golden Week too?
Yes. Golden Week (National Day, October 1–7) causes a 7–10 day shutdown. The disruption is shorter than CNY but still affects lead times. Logistics slow 2–3 days before and after. In 2026, Golden Week runs October 1, 2026 – October 7, 2026.
What is a makeup workday and why does it affect my order?
China's 调休 (tiáoxiū) system moves some weekends to extend holidays. This means certain Saturdays and Sundays are actually workdays — your supplier IS available. But it also means some weekdays become holidays unexpectedly. Our calendar accounts for all makeup workdays in these calculations.
Should I stock up before CNY?
Yes. Build 4–6 weeks of safety stock beyond your normal inventory. Many importers place a 'CNY order' 3–4 months in advance specifically for this. The cost of overstocking is far less than the cost of stockouts during a 3–4 week production gap.
Take Action Before the Shutdown
Find Suppliers
Search verified Chinese manufacturers on Alibaba. Place orders now — don't wait until pre-CNY rush.
Search Alibaba.comBook Freight
Container spot rates typically rise 20–30% before CNY (Freightos data). Lock in rates early with a freight forwarder.
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View API DocsGet 2027 Factory Dates First
China's State Council announces next year's holiday schedule in November–December. We'll email you within 2 hours of the announcement with updated shutdown dates, order deadlines, and working day counts.
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