Official holidays in China: 2026

Efficient logistics planning starts with understanding how public holidays in China affect manufacturing, customs operations, and international shipping. Below is a complete overview of China’s official holiday calendar for 2026 — along with practical insights to help businesses avoid delays during peak seasons.

January

New Year Holiday: January 1–3

Adjusted Working Day: January 4

Operations resume quickly after New Year, but factories may still operate at reduced capacity during the first week.

February — One of the Most Important Months!

Spring Festival (Chinese New Year / Chun Jie): February 15–23

Adjusted Working Days: February 14 and 28

This is the busiest and most disruptive logistics period of the entire year. Factories shut down completely, freight rates surge, ports experience congestion, and customs processing slows significantly.

April

Qingming Festival (Tomb-Sweeping Day): April 4–6 (The main holiday falls on April 5)

Short disruptions are possible, particularly in trucking and warehousing.

May

Labor Day Holiday: May 1–5

Adjusted Working Day: May 9

Expect slightly increased demand for transportation before the holiday.

June

Dragon Boat Festival (Duanwu): June 19–21 (The main holiday falls on June 19)

Typically a minor slowdown, but some factories may take additional days off.

September

Mid-Autumn Festival (Zhongqiu): September 25–27 (The main holiday falls on September 25)

Adjusted Working Day: September 20

This holiday often overlaps with preparation for China’s “Golden Week”, creating early congestion.

October — The Second Major Peak Season!

National Day / “Golden Week”: October 1–7

Adjusted Working Day: October 10

This is the second major shutdown period of the year. Factories, offices, and many logistics providers are closed for an entire week, causing pre-holiday rush and post-holiday backlogs.

Logistics Recommendations

When planning shipments from China in 2026, it’s essential to prepare for the two major peak logistics periods: the Spring Festival in February and the National Day Golden Week in October, as both create widespread factory closures, increased freight costs, and processing delays. To minimize disruption, businesses should confirm orders and finalize documentation several weeks in advance, while also paying close attention to China’s “adjusted working days,” when weekends are designated as official workdays and many government and logistics organizations operate normally. Because holiday durations can vary between suppliers — especially around February and October — maintaining early and consistent communication with your partners in China is key to keeping shipments on schedule and avoiding bottlenecks.