During January and February 2026, cargo transportation in China is facing significant pressure. Companies importing from the country are reporting difficulties in securing trucks, containers, vessel space, and internal logistics services. This situation is not the result of an isolated event or an unexpected disruption, but rather a recurring phenomenon in the Chinese calendar: Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival.
In 2026, the holiday falls on February 17, but its logistical effects begin several weeks earlier and extend beyond the official holiday period.
The Pre-Closure “Rush” and the Start of the Chunyun Period
In late January and early February, China enters the most intense phase ahead of Chinese New Year. This period coincides with the start of Chunyun, considered the largest human migration in the world, which officially begins in early February and lasts until mid-March.
Although Chunyun is primarily associated with passenger transportation, its impact on cargo logistics is direct. Millions of workers travel from industrial hubs back to their hometowns, significantly reducing labor availability in factories, road transport, and port operations.
Fenix Global Cargo coordinates shipments even in high-pressure logistics scenarios.
Early Closures and Reduced Industrial Production
One of the first visible effects is the mass closure of factories. In key export provinces such as Guangdong, Zhejiang, and Jiangsu, many plants shut down for two weeks or more, and in some cases bring closures forward to late January.
This reduction in production not only limits cargo output but also concentrates transportation demand into a very short time frame, just before operations come to a complete stop.
Transport Overload and Capacity Shortages
The need to advance shipments creates overload throughout the logistics chain. In practice, this results in:
- Shortages of available containers.
- Limited vessel space, especially on key export routes.
- Difficulty securing trucks in industrial zones and ports.
- General rate increases (GRI) and high freight volatility.
- Delays in customs, ports, and internal transportation.
Additionally, many road transport drivers temporarily stop operating in order to travel to their hometowns, further reducing available capacity at the peak of demand.
Fenix Global Cargo understands how to face logistics tension scenarios in real operations. Contact us and entrust your cargo to an experienced team.
An Impact That Extends Beyond the Holiday
Although Chinese New Year is celebrated on February 17, disruptions do not end on that date. The reactivation of factories, transport, and logistics operations is typically gradual. In many cases, full normalization can take several weeks and extend into March or even April.
During this phased return, bottlenecks, accumulated delays, and imbalances between supply and transport demand often persist.
Operational Analysis Framework (Non-Definitive)
The following analysis is presented solely as an operational interpretation based on historical behavior during the Chinese New Year period and on information available as of January 2026. It should not be considered a confirmed fact or a fixed projection.
From a logistics perspective, January and February concentrate a complex scenario: transport demand increases sharply while available capacity declines. This imbalance explains why securing transportation becomes more difficult and costly, even before the official start of the holiday.
The intensity of the impact in 2026 appears to be amplified by early shutdowns in some regions and by the expected scale of travel during Chunyun.
Final Considerations for Importers
Current difficulties in cargo transportation from China are the result of a well-identified annual cycle, but they remain critical nonetheless. Advancing bookings, monitoring real-time availability, and evaluating logistics alternatives are key actions to reduce risk during this period.
Working with a logistics operator that understands these cycles and has regional visibility can make the difference between a manageable delay and a prolonged supply chain disruption.
Do you need reliable logistics for your imports or exports? At Fenix Global Cargo we offer maritime, air and land transport, as well as cargo insurance and customs operations.
