Chinese New Year 2026: Anticipated Impact on Asian Freight Traffic
Chinese New Year remains one of the most significant holidays across China and many East Asian countries, and it continues to shape global trade patterns each year. The next celebration will take place on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, marking the start of the Year of the Horse.
Also known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, Chinese New Year is a period when production slows, factories close, and transport capacity tightens throughout Asia. For 2026, public holidays in China will run from February 15 to February 23, with many suppliers reducing output or closing entirely before and after this period.
Each year, this holiday results in reduced capacity to and from China and the wider Far East region. Shippers should expect longer transit times, potential flight cancellations, blank sailings, and general market congestion. These effects typically continue for several weeks after operations resume as supply chains reset.
If the upcoming holiday period is not yet part of your operational planning, now is the time to act.
Plan Ahead and Stay Flexible To minimise disruption to your supply chain, we recommend forecasting demand further ahead than usual and sharing volume expectations as early as possible.
Our teams across DSV are available to support you in developing alternative routing, securing capacity, and identifying the most resilient logistics solutions. With our global network and deep industry expertise, we can help you navigate market challenges before, during, and after the holiday period.
Key Dates for 2026
- Chinese New Year: Begins 17 February, Year of the Horse
- Public Holiday: 15–23 February 2026
Book, Ship and Track Online
You can book, track, and access support directly through
myDSV.
If you require assistance or would like to discuss your planning for the 2026 holiday period, please contact your local DSV representative or find your nearest office
here.