01/09/2026

China Golden Week 2026 and Autumn Holidays – Plan Your Shipments Early

The Mid-Autumn Festival (25–27 September) and China’s National Day Golden Week (1–7 October) fall unusually close together this year. The compact holiday period may put pressure on ocean and air freight capacity as well as inland transportation in China – plan and book your autumn shipments well in advance.

Only three regular working days, 28–30 September, fall between the two holiday periods. This closely spaced holiday period is important to consider for companies whose supply chains, sourcing or production depend on China.

How will China Golden Week affect logistics?

Golden Week is one of the major holiday periods of the year in China. Ahead of the holidays, many companies seek to move production, pick-ups and shipments earlier than usual. This can increase demand for transportation capacity and put pressure on available resources before the holiday period begins.

In 2026, the effects are accentuated by the fact that Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day are very close to each other on the calendar.

Companies should pay particular attention to:

• increased booking demand before the holidays

• availability of trucking and pick-up capacity in China

• slower handling at terminals and ports

• availability of containers and transport equipment

• ocean freight schedules and capacity

• air freight capacity and increased demand

• post-holiday demand peaks and their impact on transit times

China Golden Week and Ocean Freight

For ocean freight, Golden Week can lead to increased booking demand before the holidays as shippers aim to move cargo before the holiday period.

There may also be changes in the operations of ports and terminals, as well as in the schedules of shipping companies. Therefore, it is especially worth planning and booking schedule-critical shipments well in advance.

China Golden Week and Air Freight

Golden Week is also important to consider when planning air freight from China. Increased demand ahead of the holidays can put pressure on available air cargo capacity, particularly for urgent or time-critical shipments.

The overall air freight schedule depends not only on flight capacity but also:

• inland transportation to the airport

• terminal handling

• airline capacity and schedules

• connecting flights

• post-holiday demand

What should companies importing from China consider?

If your company has orders, production or shipments to or from China during September–October 2026, we recommend planning ahead.

Please share the following information with CHS as early as possible:

• upcoming orders and shipment forecasts

• preferred departure and delivery dates

• pick-up and delivery details

• required transit times and urgency

The earlier we receive information about upcoming shipments, the better we can plan ocean freight, air freight and inland transportation together and take the Golden Week period into account.