Ever get surprised by Chinese factory holidays?

Here’s a quick tip to help:

Add “Chinese Holidays” to your Google calendar and regularly keep them in mind when doing order and shipping forecasting. Also add the blackout dates into your inventory software, if using one. 

How to add the holidays to a Google calendar: 

➤ Open Google Calendar and sign in.

➤ Click the “+” icon next to “Other calendars” on the left side.

➤ Select “Browse calendars of interest” from the dropdown.

➤ Scroll down to “Regional holidays” and check the box next to “China.”

➤ Chinese holidays will now appear in your calendar.

Here’s a full list of the 6 major holidays to watch out for:

(1.) Chinese New Year (Spring Festival):

➤Dates: Varies between late January and mid-February.

➤Length: Officially 1 week, but closures can extend from 2 to 4 weeks, with some factories shutting down for up to 6 weeks.

➤Description: The most significant traditional holiday in China, marking the start of the lunar new year.

(2.) Qingming Festival (Tomb-Sweeping Day):

➤Dates: April 4th or 5th.

➤Length: 1 day.

➤Description: A day to honour ancestors by visiting their graves.

(3.) Labor Day (International Workers’ Day):

➤Dates: May 1st.

➤Length: Typically 3 days.

➤Description: Celebrates the economic and social achievements of workers.

(4.)Dragon Boat Festival:

➤Dates: Varies (usually in June).

➤Length: 3 days.

➤Description: Commemorates the ancient poet Qu Yuan with boat races and rice dumplings.

(5.) Mid-Autumn Festival:

➤Dates: Varies (usually in September or early October).

➤Length: 1 day, but often extended to 3 days.

➤Description: A harvest festival celebrated with mooncakes and family reunions.

(6.) National Day:

➤Dates: October 1st.

➤Length: 1 week (Golden Week).

➤Description: Celebrates the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, leading to an extended holiday known as Golden Week.

And there you have it! Know these holidays to avoid delays in your supply chain. Better yet, try to get an invite from Chinese friends as the food is amazing. 🙂 

As always, happy sourcing! 

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