Non-Working Days in China: Holiday Calendar

Although the country has earned the title of the “world’s factory,” this does not mean that production facilities operate 24/7/365. China has a well-established culture of long weekends and holidays, which are called “golden weeks.” Business activity comes to a standstill across the country, and one mistake in planning shipments can lead to enormous losses.

Main Holidays and Non-Working Days in China

The official calendar includes dates tied to the Gregorian calendar (fixed) and festivals celebrated according to the lunar calendar (floating dates). A feature of the Chinese system is “tiaoxiu” — shifting working days to the nearest weekends to create mini-holidays.

Main holidays:

• New Year (Yuandan) on January 1. Chinese people usually have 1-3 days off, but without large-scale production shutdowns.
• Chinese New Year (Chunjie) falls in January or February. This is the country’s main holiday with the longest break.
• Tomb-Sweeping Day (Qingming) — early April. The state provides around 3 days off.
• Labor Day on May 1. Several non-working days are combined into a holiday of up to 5 days.
• Dragon Boat Festival (Duanwu) is celebrated in June and is often accompanied by three days off.
• Mid-Autumn Festival (Zhongqiujie) — September or October. If it coincides with National Day, it creates an 8-day super-holiday.
• National Day of the PRC (Guoqing Jie) is celebrated on October 1. This is the second most important “golden week.”

Long holidays allow workers to visit their home provinces and also stimulate domestic tourism. During these periods, purchasing goods in China, shipments, and logistics are temporarily suspended.

Holiday and Weekend Calendar for 2026 and the Beginning of 2027

The exact schedule for shifting working days is approved annually by the State Council of the PRC at the end of the preceding year. Therefore, the exact calendar for 2027 is not yet available, but based on previous years, trends can be predicted.

In 2026, the second “golden week” of holidays remains from October 1 to 7, dedicated to the anniversary of the founding of the PRC. Some working days were shifted to the end of September and the middle of October.

Calendar for 2027:

*Factories will begin suspending operations as early as January 20-25 and will fully return to work only by February 25-28.

How Holiday Non-Working Days in China Affect Trade

The impact resembles a domino effect, as it affects every stage — from raw material procurement to final shipment at the port.

Factories, Plants, and Suppliers

Ahead of long holidays, production facilities operate at full capacity, switching to a 24-hour schedule and engaging all available personnel. Due to the rush, the defect rate often increases.

Factories shut down in stages. First, suppliers of raw materials and packaging close. If production has not managed to purchase materials, it is already impossible to assemble the finished product even if the production line is operating.

Another problem is the “post-holiday syndrome.” First, factories and plants do not immediately return to full capacity, which leads to a decrease in supply volumes in the first weeks after the holidays. Second, after Chunjie, around 15% of workers may not return to factories, having found jobs closer to home. In February-March, companies begin active hiring and training.

Therefore, it is better to postpone finding suppliers in China until more stable times, when staffing is complete and the actual production capabilities are clear.

Delivery

Shipping goods from China to Ukraine ahead of long weekends seems chaotic: all importers want to move their goods before logistics operations stop. This leads to:

• A shortage of vessel space and empty containers. Demand exceeds supply, and equipment is booked weeks in advance.
• Higher freight rates, with tariffs sometimes increasing by 20-50%.
• A halt in domestic logistics. Finding a truck to deliver goods to the port is either impossible or very expensive.
• Disruptions to vessel schedules. During and immediately after the holidays, shipping lines widely cancel voyages due to a lack of cargo.

To prevent Chinese holidays from causing empty shelves, you need to adapt your business processes.

How to Prepare for Chinese Weekends and Holidays

Working off the holidays does not solve the supply problem. A few tips for entrepreneurs:

1. Plan purchases 3-4 months in advance, especially before “golden weeks.” Place final orders ahead of time and create a buffer sufficient for 2-2.5 months. You may also benefit from warehouse services in China — you will be able to hold the cargo until freight rates stabilize.
2. Strengthen quality control. It is better to identify a problem in China than to receive a container full of unsellable goods.
3. Book logistics in advance. Contact DiFFreight — we will book a container or seats on an aircraft 4-6 weeks before the date. Early booking helps lock in the price, as transportation costs rise sharply during peak periods.
4. Think about finances. Chinese banks may not process payments on official holidays. Make sure you have paid the supplier on time; otherwise, the cargo may be stuck for an indefinite period.

Another feature of Chinese culture is guanxi. Business in China is built on relationships. Do not forget to congratulate suppliers and managers on traditional holidays.

Long holidays in the PRC should not become an unpleasant surprise for business. When enterprises, logistics, and warehouses stop operating, it is important to stay one step ahead to avoid overpaying for delivery. DiFFreight has many years of experience working with China — we will help you with planning, container booking, and establishing stable supplies.

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