If you’re already sourcing products from China for your dropshipping business (or considering it), you probably know how crucial it is to plan for Chinese New Year 2025 (CNY 2025). During this time, most Chinese factories temporarily shut down, leaving orders on hold—a potential challenge for dropshippers.
This year, CNY 2025 poses an even greater test as Valentine’s Day closely follows the holiday. The double demand could leave unprepared sellers struggling to keep up.
But no worries! In this guide, we’ll explain how it might affect your dropshipping business and share practical tips to stay ahead during this busy season.
What is Chinese New Year?
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Chinese New Year, also called Lunar New Year or the Spring Festival, is the most significant traditional holiday in China. For CNY 2025, the celebrations officially start on January 29th (Wednesday), marking the beginning of the Year of the Snake.
As an official public holiday, Chinese New Year 2025 will span from January 28th to February 12th. Workers across China enjoy 16 days off. However, the preparations for this grand festival often start weeks in advance, and some activities continue to the Lantern Festival, which this year falls on February 11th.
For international dropshipping businesses, understanding the timeline of CNY 2025 is critical, as most Chinese suppliers pause operations during this period. Planning ahead can ensure your business runs smoothly despite the disruptions.
What Are the Timelines for Chinese New Year 2025?
Planning ahead for Chinese New Year 2025 is all about understanding the key timelines. Here’s what to expect:
- Late December-early January: Production and business activities begin slowing down. Some factories may even start shutting down early.
- Mid-late January: Manufacturers progressively halt production as the holiday approaches.
- January 28: Chinese New Year’s Eve. Most employees will have already stopped working.
- January 29: Chinese New Year 2025 begins
- February 12: Employees start returning to work, but operations may still face delays due to holiday blues and initial staffing shortages.
- February 14: Valentine’s Day
- Late February to early March: Full operational recovery is expected across most industries.
How Will It Affect My Dropshipping Business？
Key impacts may include:
- Production Delays: Factories shut down early, with delays in order processing until mid-February.
- Stock Shortages: Limited restocking during the holiday can result in out-of-stock issues.
- Shipping Delays: Logistics will slow down significantly, with some services fully paused during the holiday.
- Slow Recovery: Post-holiday backlogs and labor shortages can further delay order fulfillment.
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The Chinese New Year 2025 holiday can have significant implications for your dropshipping or eCommerce business. Here’s how:
1. Delays in Production
During CNY, factories shut down entirely, and workers typically take two weeks or more off to celebrate with their families.
- Early Shutdowns: Many factories close earlier than the official public holiday, sometimes weeks before, leading to production slowdowns as early as mid-January.
- Extended Time Off: Some employees may extend their leave, further delaying the resumption of full production.
For dropshippers, this means new orders might not even begin processing until mid-February or later, creating significant delays.
2. Out of Stock
Many factories clear out their existing inventory at the end of the year, leaving little to no stock available during the holiday.
- No New Stock: Suppliers typically won’t restock until after the holidays, which means that if your products sell out, you may face long delays before inventory is replenished.
Preparation Time Post-Holiday: Even after the holiday, it may take weeks for factories to restart production and prepare stock.
3. Delays in Shipment
Photo from Shopify
The logistics sector also slows down during CNY, and shipping services are heavily impacted.
- Limited Operations: Shipping companies often scale back services and stop picking up, processing, and delivering packages days before the holiday.
- Paused Shipments: Most logistics providers fully shut down during the holiday, resuming operations only after the official holiday period ends.
- Rising Costs: High demand for limited shipping services at the end of the year often leads to increased shipping costs, making it more expensive to fulfill orders.
This means you may face delays not just in manufacturing but also in getting your products to customers.
4. Slow Recovery Post-Holiday
Photo from TalktoAngel
When the holiday ends, factories and logistics providers don’t immediately return to full-speed operations.
- Labor Shortages: Some workers may not return to their jobs after the holiday, forcing manufacturers to spend time recruiting and training new employees.
- Backlog of Orders: Orders that accumulate during the break may take weeks to process, creating bottlenecks.
- Holiday Blues: The post-holiday adjustment period often sees reduced productivity, as employees ease back into their routines. This slower pace can further delay production and order fulfillment.
5. Customer Service Unavailability 
Photo from HubSpot
Communication with suppliers and logistics partners becomes difficult during CNY:
- Most suppliers, freight forwarders, and service providers are unavailable throughout the holiday period.
- Delayed responses to inquiries can complicate order management and problem-solving, leaving your business in limbo until operations resume.
Tips for you to get ahead
Chinese New Year (CNY) is just around the corner, and it’s a big deal—especially if your dropshipping business relies on suppliers from China. But no worries! With some smart planning, you can sail through this busy season without a hitch. Here are five practical steps to prepare your business for CNY 2025:
1. Increase Inventory in Advance
CNY 2025 runs from January 29 to February 3. This timeline means you’ll want to stock up on popular items well ahead of time.
- Valentine’s Day best-sellers: Think jewelry, mugs, and personalized gifts—classic crowd-pleasers during this season.
- Broader inventory: Don’t stop at seasonal items! Products like home decor, electronics, and accessories often perform well year-round.
By preparing early, you’re not just avoiding inventory shortages—you’re positioning yourself for strong post-holiday sales while competitors may still be playing catch-up.
2. Work with Reliable Suppliers
Having the right partner makes a world of difference, and that’s where HyperSKUcomes in.
- Insider updates: We stay in close contact with factories and keep track of their plans, like when they’ll stop production and when they’ll reopen. You’ll know what’s happening before anyone else!
- Early production coordination: With our help, you can ensure your orders are completed and shipped out ahead of time.
When you team up with us, you can relax knowing you’re ahead of the game!
3. Take Advantage of Multiple Warehouse Services
HyperSKU offers multiple warehouse options, so your inventory is ready to go when your customers place orders.
- Strategic storage: Storing products in different locations ensures faster processing and shipping, even during the holiday rush.
- No downtime: While others struggle with disruptions, you’ll be shipping orders smoothly thanks to our reliable fulfillment network.
4. Adjust Shipping Times & Upgrade Product Pages
Transparency is key to keeping your customers happy, so make sure your store reflects the reality of the season.
- Adjust shipping estimates: Update delivery times on your product pages so shoppers know what to expect.
- Include clear disclaimers: Add notes like, “Please allow extra time for delivery due to the Chinese New Year holiday.”
Not only does this build trust, but it also reduces the chance of complaints or negative reviews.
5. Inform Customers About Possible Delays
Great communication is the secret to happy customers during this period.
- Website pop-ups or banners: Use these to announce potential delays, but keep in mind not everyone notices them.
- Follow-up emails: Send an automated email after each purchase with a delivery time template to remind customers about any delays.
Keeping your customers informed goes a long way in avoiding misunderstandings and building loyalty.
Stock Up on 5 Trending Products for Chinese New Year 2025 and Beyond
As we enter 2025, it’s time to prepare for the year ahead by stocking up on products that will capture consumer interest. Dropshippers should focus on trending items that are expected to perform well not just seasonally, but throughout the year. Here are five trending products to watch in 2025:
1. POD Couple T-Shirt
Personalized couple-themed T-shirts are always in demand, whether it’s for Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, or casual matching outfits. With HyperSKU’s Print-on-Demand(POD) service, you can effortlessly create unique designs tailored to your audience. Our streamlined production process ensures your custom orders are fulfilled efficiently and with top-notch quality.
2. Pet Supplies
As we head into 2025, more people are spoiling their pets, from furry companions to scaly friends. According to The Harris Poll, 43% of Americans now prioritize pets over children, with the pet industry growing rapidly. Pet owners are always on the lookout for high-quality products, from toys to treats. For dropshippers, this is a lucrative niche to tap into—stock up on trending pet supplies and cater to this expanding market
3. Pendants, Earrings, and Accessories
Jewelry never goes out of style, and its appeal spans across various niches. Whether it’s pendants, earrings, or bracelets, these timeless accessories can be marketed year-round for a variety of occasions, from everyday gifting and fashion wear to special milestones like anniversaries or birthdays. With their broad versatility, jewelry remains a consistently popular choice among consumers.
4. Home Décor
Items like cozy pillow covers and decorative accents are perfect for both festive seasons and everyday use. These home decor essentials add charm and warmth to any space, making them perennial best-sellers. Their versatility ensures steady demand year-round, appealing to customers looking to personalize and cozy up their homes.
6. Beauty Product
Beauty products, particularly natural and organic options, are a highly profitable niche in dropshipping. Items such as skincare, reusable beauty tools, and eco-friendly cosmetics are seeing strong demand. The beauty industry in dropshipping continues to grow, with consumers increasingly looking for clean, sustainable, and environmentally friendly products.
By proactively stocking these trending products, you not only stay ahead of the curve but also ensure your store is well-prepared to handle the surge in demand during these key holidays. Plus, with HyperSKU’s reliable sourcing and fulfillment services, managing your inventory has never been easier!