As we approach the important planning phase for Chinese New Year, manufacturers generally suspend production for the holiday. Importers tend to place larger-than-usual orders to prepare for this manufacturing slowdown.

I am writing this article to help you secure your Q1 inventory strategy by taking proactive steps now, which can mitigate potential disruptions and ensure your business runs smoothly during this challenging period.

Chinese New Year 2026: 🗓️ Tue, Feb 17, 2026 – Tue, Mar 3, 2026

Why Early Planning Matters 📅

November is here, and this article is meant to motivate sellers—whether you’re on Amazon, other marketplaces, or selling direct-to-consumer—to start planning your production line in November and December.

To stay ahead, aim to have your production completed by the first week of January. Most manufacturers, depending on the order size (whether it’s 1,000 units or 20,000 units), typically need about 30 days to finish production.

Timing Your Production Schedule ⏰

Knowing that Chinese New Year starts on February 17, you’ll want at least 30 days for your inventory to be completed before the holiday. That means your “golden ticket” for production completion is around January 15.

This gives you a full month to move your merchandise to the CFS (consolidated warehouse), and then maybe another two weeks for departure.

Keep in mind, there’s a lot of movement at Chinese ports during this time, which can cause delays.

Avoiding Delays: Tips for Success 🏆

If you want to make sure your goods get out on time, plan accordingly! For production to be ready by mid-January 2026, your production schedule should be set by December 1.

Depending on your factory’s workload, you might not make it onto the production line if you wait too long—or the quality of your product could suffer.

I highly suggest you start planning now: call, email, or message your factory to begin production, with an ETA of the last week of January for shipping.

Inventory Arrival and Q2 Planning

Shipping out in the last week of January means your inventory likely won’t arrive in the US until March, and then it still needs to go through distribution centers.

That means the inventory you’re preparing in December, with a ship date at the end of January, is technically for Q2—not Q1.

Your Q1 inventory should already be on the water, or production should be complete and ready to ship.

Final Thoughts & Next Steps 💡

If you need more tips or have any questions, let us know! Please plan accordingly to avoid disruptions and ensure your business keeps running smoothly through Chinese New Year and beyond.