If you’re importing goods from China, understanding peak shipping season can save you thousands of dollars and prevent frustrating delays. Peak season affects freight rates, container availability, and delivery timelines across ocean and air freight modes. This guide breaks down exactly when peak season occurs, why it happens, and how to plan your shipments strategically.
2026 China Shipping Calendar
High Risk Periods
|
Optimal Shipping Windows
|
2026 Key Date: Chinese New Year falls on February 17, 2026. Plan shipments to arrive before January 20 or after March 5 to avoid disruption.
Freight Cost Comparison: Peak vs Low Season
| Route | Low Season (Mar-Jun) | Peak Season (Aug-Oct) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai to LA (40′ FCL) | $1,800-$2,500 | $4,500-$6,500 | +150-180% |
| Shanghai to NY (40′ FCL) | $3,200-$4,000 | $6,500-$8,500 | +100-115% |
| Shanghai to Rotterdam (40′ FCL) | $2,500-$3,500 | $5,500-$7,500 | +115-120% |
| LCL (per CBM) | $45-$65 | $85-$130 | +90-100% |
Additional Peak Season Costs: Peak Season Surcharge (PSS): $500-$1,500 per container | Emergency booking fees: $200-$500 | Container detention: $100-$150 per day after free time
Air Freight Alternative: During peak season, air freight rates ($4-$8 per kg) may become competitive with ocean freight for urgent or high-value shipments when considering total landed costs and time value.
What Is Peak Season in China Shipping?
Definition of Peak vs Low Season
Peak season for shipping from China refers to the period when ocean freight demand surges, typically from August through October. During these months, retailers worldwide prepare inventory for major shopping events like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the holiday season. This concentrated demand creates substantial pressure on container availability, port capacity, and vessel space.
Conversely, low season spans February through June, following the Chinese New Year factory shutdowns. Manufacturing output gradually recovers during this period, while shipping capacity often exceeds demand, creating favorable conditions for cost-conscious importers.
Why Timing Matters for Importers
Understanding China’s shipping calendar directly impacts your supply chain planning and profitability. Poor timing can result in freight rates that are 50-100% higher than low season prices, extended lead times from 30 days to 50+ days, and unpredictable delays that disrupt inventory management.
Strategic importers align their purchase orders with off-peak windows, book capacity months in advance during peak periods, and maintain buffer inventory to avoid urgent shipments during congested months. The difference between shipping a TEU container in March versus September can exceed $2,000-$3,000 per container on major trade lanes.
China Shipping Calendar: Peak Seasons Throughout the Year
Q1 (January-March): Chinese New Year Impact
The first quarter centers around Chinese New Year, also known as Spring Festival, which typically falls between late January and mid-February. In 2026, Chinese New Year occurs on February 17, with factory closures extending approximately 15-20 days before and after the holiday.
This creates a pre-CNY rush in January as manufacturers race to fulfill orders before shutdown. Freight rates temporarily spike, container availability tightens, and booking cutoff dates move earlier. Post-CNY in late February and March represents the year’s lowest shipping period, with reduced rates and abundant capacity as factories slowly resume operations.
Q2 (April-June): Low Season Recovery Period
The second quarter marks the optimal window for cost-effective ocean freight. Production ramps up steadily while shipping demand remains moderate. The Canton Fair in April brings temporary increases in export activity, but overall market conditions favor importers.
Major carriers often implement General Rate Increases in May or June to stabilize pricing before peak season, but rates remain significantly lower than Q4 levels. Lead times are predictable, averaging 25-35 days from major ports like Shanghai and Ningbo-Zhoushan to North American and European destinations.
Q3 (July-September): Pre-Peak Preparation
July serves as a transition month when forward-thinking retailers begin building inventory. By August, peak season officially begins as the massive volume of holiday merchandise floods Chinese ports. Freight rates climb steadily, with Peak Season Surcharges typically added in mid-August.
September represents the height of shipping activity. Port congestion intensifies at Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Ningbo, while blank sailings become rare as carriers maximize vessel utilization. Booking space 4-6 weeks in advance becomes essential rather than optional.
Q4 (October-December): Peak Season Rush
October begins with Golden Week, a seven-day national holiday from October 1-7, temporarily halting factory production and customs clearance. The October Canton Fair further concentrates export activity. Despite these disruptions, shipping demand remains elevated through mid-November as retailers complete holiday inventory builds.
December sees gradual normalization as peak season subsides. However, early December shipments still face elevated rates and potential delays. By late December, markets begin transitioning toward CNY preparations, creating another mini-surge before the cycle repeats.
Key Chinese Holidays That Disrupt Shipping
Chinese New Year (Spring Festival) – Factory Closures
Chinese New Year causes the most significant annual disruption to supply chains. Factories close for 7-10 days officially, but worker migrations extend actual shutdowns to 2-3 weeks. Production halts, customs processing slows dramatically, and trucking capacity to ports becomes limited.
Importers must account for this by placing orders 60-90 days before needed delivery dates. The pre-CNY rush creates a secondary peak season in January, while post-holiday recovery can take 3-4 weeks as factories recall workers and resume full capacity.
Golden Week (October 1-7) – National Day
Golden Week celebrates the founding of the People’s Republic of China with a week-long national holiday. Unlike CNY, this holiday occurs during peak shipping season, compounding congestion challenges. Customs clearance stops, trucking becomes scarce, and factory production pauses precisely when demand is highest.
Experienced importers ship inventory before September 25 or after October 10 to avoid the bottleneck. Freight forwarders typically recommend booking space 6-8 weeks in advance for shipments intersecting with Golden Week.
Canton Fair Trade Show Effects
The Canton Fair runs twice annually in April and October, attracting over 200,000 international buyers. While not a factory closure, the fair creates concentrated export activity as exhibitors rush to fulfill orders generated during the event. Hotel rooms near major ports become scarce, and inspection services face heavy demand.
The October session coincides with peak season and Golden Week, creating perfect storm conditions for shipping delays. The April session has minimal impact due to low season capacity abundance.
Peak Season Shipping Challenges and Impacts
Container Availability and Equipment Shortages
During peak season, container shortages become the primary constraint on shipping capacity. Carriers prioritize their largest customers and highest-rate shipments, leaving smaller importers scrambling for both FCL and LCL space. Empty container repositioning struggles to keep pace with export volumes from Chinese manufacturing hubs.
This equipment shortage forces some shippers to accept less favorable Incoterms, pay premium rates for guaranteed space, or delay shipments by several weeks. LCL consolidators may limit bookings or implement space allocation systems during August through October.
Port Congestion at Shanghai and Ningbo
The Port of Shanghai, the world’s busiest container port, and the Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan face severe congestion during peak months. Vessel waiting times extend from the normal 1-2 days to 5-7 days or more. This directly impacts lead times and creates ripple effects throughout the supply chain.
Some importers mitigate this by using alternative ports like Shenzhen or Qingdao, though these also experience elevated volumes. Warehouse capacity near ports becomes premium real estate as containers wait for vessel space.
Increased Freight Rates and Surcharges (PSS & GRI)
Peak Season Surcharges typically range from $500-$1,500 per TEU on major trade lanes, implemented around mid-August. These come on top of base rates that already climb 40-80% from low season levels. General Rate Increases announced in spring further establish the baseline for peak season pricing.
Additional fees compound costs including emergency booking fees, container detention charges when equipment cannot be returned promptly, congestion surcharges at destination ports, and premium charges for guaranteed space programs. Total landed costs can increase 60-100% compared to March shipments.
Extended Lead Times and Delays
Standard ocean transit times from China to the US West Coast average 14-18 days during low season. Peak season extends this to 25-35 days when accounting for port congestion, delayed vessel departures, and customs processing bottlenecks. China to US East Coast routes can stretch beyond 50 days during the worst periods.
These delays force importers to maintain higher safety stock levels, increase working capital requirements, and sometimes resort to expensive air freight to meet critical deadlines. Supply chain planning must incorporate worst-case scenarios rather than average transit times.
Best Time to Ship from China (Strategic Recommendations)
Cheapest Months to Ship: February-June
March through May consistently offer the lowest freight rates and most favorable shipping conditions. Rates during these months can be 50-70% lower than peak season, with a 40-foot container from Shanghai to Los Angeles costing $1,500-$2,500 compared to $4,000-$6,000+ in September.
February presents opportunities immediately after Chinese New Year, though factory production may still be ramping up. June marks the end of low season before pre-peak activity begins, offering a final window for cost-effective shipments before rates climb.
Most Reliable Shipping Windows
For predictable lead times and minimal delays, April through June and December provide the most reliable shipping windows. These months avoid major holidays, experience moderate port congestion, and maintain steady vessel schedules with fewer blank sailings.
November also offers improving reliability as peak season demand subsides, though rates remain elevated. Importers prioritizing schedule certainty over cost should target these periods for critical inventory movements.
When to Avoid: August-October Risks
August through October represents the highest-risk period for shipping from China. This window combines maximum freight rates, severe container shortages, extended lead times, and holiday disruptions from Golden Week. Importers with flexibility should avoid these months entirely.
Late January also carries risks due to pre-Chinese New Year congestion. Factory rushing to complete orders, combined with reduced trucking capacity as workers begin traveling home, creates potential for missed vessel departures and delayed shipments.
