As the Chinese New Year approaches, the shipping industry is plunging into chaos. Vessel delays, container rollovers, skyrocketing prices—this is the reality of shipping goods before the holidays. If you’re new to the world of international trade, brace yourself: pre-CNY shipping comes with big challenges.
Real Stories from the Field
Recent social media posts from seasoned traders paint a grim picture:
- “A vessel with 400 container slots has already received 1,200 containers—all rolling to after the New Year.”
- “My January 16th shipment got bumped twice, now set for February 8th!”
- “February 8th departure? That’s optimistic, to say the least.”
- “Add more money to secure your container? It’s not even guaranteed anymore.”
- “Think you have it bad? My December 15th container is still in China, rolling through Singapore now.”
What’s Happening at the Ports?
Here’s a snapshot of the situation across major ports:
- Yantian Port: With drivers rushing to return containers before the holiday, yard space is nearing full capacity.
- Ningbo Port: Beilun is heavily congested, with reports of trucks waiting two days or more to unload.
Why Does This Happen Every Year?
Chinese New Year is the most important holiday in China, with extended breaks for factories, logistics, and foreign trade companies. Here’s why pre-CNY shipping is a nightmare:
- Massive Overbooking: Carriers pre-load containers to avoid empty ships during and after the holiday.
- Port Congestion: Containers pile up at the ports, leading to extreme delays.
- Higher Costs: Trucking fees surge as demand for drivers and trucks spikes.
- Freight Forwarders Are Overwhelmed: Many forwarders are inundated with requests, and the system becomes chaotic.
- Storage Fees and Client Frustration: Delays lead to additional costs and angry clients—no one wants to spend their holiday soothing upset customers.
What Can You Do?
Experienced traders know better than to ship right before the New Year. Here’s their advice:
- Delay Shipping: Convince your clients to wait until after the holiday.
- Set Clear Expectations: If shipping before the holiday is unavoidable, warn clients about potential delays, cost increases, and the possibility of rollovers.
- Secure Containers Early: If you must ship, work with your freight forwarder as early as possible to secure space.
For New Traders: A Word of Caution
Shipping before the Chinese New Year is a high-stakes game. You’ll face:
- Gridlocked ports
- Overflowing container yards
- A shortage of drivers
- Containers being rolled over
- Sky-high trucking and storage costs
Unless you’re well-prepared, it’s often better to avoid shipping altogether during this period.
Conclusion
While it’s tempting to meet clients’ demands and ship before the New Year, the risks often outweigh the rewards. Learn from the seasoned pros: plan ahead, communicate clearly, and remember that patience is key. After all, no one wants to spend their holiday stuck in a shipping nightmare!
What’s your experience with pre-CNY shipping? Let us know in the comments!