28th September 2026
Following our recent Golden Week reminder, we wanted to provide a further update regarding shipments moving from China over the coming weeks.
China’s Golden Week takes place from 1–7 October, but the disruption to shipping is likely to extend well beyond the holiday itself. With factories, offices and logistics providers closing or operating at reduced capacity, combined with carrier blank sailing programmes over Golden Week, we expect a significant backlog of cargo as businesses return to work.
As a result, we recommend customers allow for potential delays of approximately 7–14 days to vessel schedules and overall transit times during and immediately following the Golden Week period.
What to expect
Now – Pre-Golden Week rush
Exporters are competing for limited vessel space ahead of the shutdown. Space is already becoming increasingly tight, so any outstanding or new bookings should be sent to us as soon as possible.
1–7 October – Golden Week
Many factories, suppliers, offices and logistics providers across China will close or operate at significantly reduced capacity. Communication and the ability to resolve documentation or shipment issues will therefore be limited.
Mid to late October – The backlog
This is where we expect the knock-on effects to become particularly noticeable. As businesses reopen, the combination of accumulated cargo, port congestion and carrier blank sailings is likely to put considerable pressure on available capacity and schedules.
Please allow an additional 7–14 days when planning deliveries during this period.
While a vessel may currently be showing a particular departure or arrival date, schedules around Golden Week are especially vulnerable to changes, rollovers and delays.
What should you do now?
We strongly recommend:
- Secure any outstanding bookings immediately to give us the best opportunity of obtaining space.
- Plan for longer lead times and avoid relying on current vessel ETAs for time-critical stock, production or customer commitments.
- Check your stock requirements and consider whether any upcoming orders need to be brought forward.
- Ensure commercial documents and Bill of Lading releases are in place wherever possible before the holiday begins.
The impact of Golden Week is rarely limited to the seven-day holiday itself. Delays can continue for several weeks afterwards and may result in stock shortages, disrupted production schedules, missed delivery deadlines and additional freight or storage costs.
Our team will continue to monitor shipments and carrier schedules closely and will keep customers updated on any significant changes.
If you have time-critical cargo, new bookings or shipments currently in transit from China, please contact us as soon as possible so we can review these with you.