If you have been sourcing from China for a few years, there is one period on the calendar that always requires special attention: Chinese New Year.
For many overseas buyers, it looks like a “holiday issue.”
For those of us manufacturing in China, it is a system-wide operational reality that affects production, logistics, payments, and timelines all at once.
At Quanzhou Jarler Bags Co., Ltd., where we operate as a PVC patch maker and PVC patch manufacturer, supplying morale patch wholesale, airsoft patches, and tactical patches to buyers around the world, we go through this cycle every single year. The patterns are familiar, but the consequences can be very different depending on how buyers prepare.
This article is not meant to alarm anyone. It is meant to explain, in plain terms, what really happens before and after Chinese New Year — and why experienced buyers plan around it instead of fighting it.
Chinese New Year Is Not Just One Week Off
One of the biggest misunderstandings is the length of the holiday.
On paper, Chinese New Year may look like a one-week national holiday. In practice, its impact starts weeks before and ends weeks after.
Most factories in China rely on workers who come from other citiy, other provinces. Before the holiday, many of them leave early — sometimes 10 to 15 days in advance — to travel home, prepare for family gatherings, and avoid peak travel congestion.
As a result:
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Production slows gradually, then stops
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QC teams shrink
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Packing and finishing schedules tighten
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Last-minute changes become risky
After the official holiday, workers return gradually. Full production capacity usually resumes after the Lantern Festival, which falls on the 15th day of the lunar calendar. Even then, efficiency takes time to normalize.
From a supply chain perspective, the total disruption period is often close to one month.
Why Patch Orders Are Especially Time-Sensitive
For products like airsoft patches and tactical patches, timing matters more than many buyers expect.
Patch orders often involve:
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Custom molds
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Multiple colors
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Layered PVC filling
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Tight tolerances on details
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Packaging aligned with retail or promotional schedules
If an order misses the pre-holiday shipping window, it does not simply “wait a week.” It often waits until:
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Workers fully return
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Mold handling resumes
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Production queues reset
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Logistics pipelines reopen
This is why buyers who rely on morale patch wholesale programs for events, promotions, or seasonal sales feel the impact very clearly when timing slips.
Logistics Does Not Pause — It Compresses
Another reality many buyers only learn through experience is that logistics before Chinese New Year does not slow down — it compresses.
As the holiday is approaching:
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More factories rush to ship
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Container demand increases
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Warehouses fill up faster
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Shipping schedules become crowded
Even if your goods are ready, you may face:
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Limited container space
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Rolled bookings
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Higher freight rates
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Shorter cut-off times
We have seen cases where goods were finished on time, but because booking was delayed by just a few days, the shipment missed its intended vessel and had to wait until after the holiday.
Once that happens, delays of 20–30 days are not unusual.
Payment Timing Becomes a Hidden Risk
One topic that rarely gets discussed openly — but causes real problems — is payment timing.
Many overseas buyers work with payment terms that require final payment before shipment. That is completely normal. The issue arises when payment preparation is left until the last moment.
During the pre-holiday rush:
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Banks slow down
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Internal approvals take longer
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Time zone delays add up
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Exchange processing may take extra days
If goods are ready but payment has not arrived:
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Shipment cannot be released
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Booking windows may be missed
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Freight costs may rise while waiting
We have seen situations where buyers assumed “the goods are done, shipping can wait,” only to find that waiting triggered higher logistics costs or longer delays.
From a factory perspective, this is not about pressure — it is about coordination. Payment, production, and logistics must move together.
What Happens If Goods Miss the Holiday
When shipments do not go out before Chinese New Year, several things usually happen in sequence:
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Goods sit in the factory or warehouse during the holiday
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Logistics companies operate with limited staff
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Containers and trucking capacity remain constrained
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Backlogs form immediately after the holiday
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Normal schedules resume gradually, not instantly
Even after the Lantern Festival, many buyers are surprised to learn that shipping still takes additional time to stabilize. It is common to see another 1–2 weeks of adjustment before things feel “normal” again.
This is not a failure of any single party. It is simply how the system works.
How Experienced Buyers Plan Differently
Buyers who have sourced from China for many years usually adjust their approach.
They tend to:
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Finalize designs earlier
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Lock production schedules sooner
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Avoid last-minute changes
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Prepare payments in advance
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Accept slightly earlier shipping to reduce risk
These buyers understand that the goal is not just to finish production, but to exit the supply chain cleanly before congestion peaks.
This mindset makes a significant difference, especially for customized products from a PVC patch manufacturer where tooling and finishing steps are involved.
Our Approach at Quanzhou Jarler Bags Co., Ltd.
From our side, Chinese New Year planning is not optional. It is built into how we manage orders.
As a PVC patch maker serving international clients, we:
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Communicate realistic cut-off dates early
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Advise buyers when timelines are tight
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Encourage earlier production confirmation
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Coordinate closely on shipment planning
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Flag payment timing risks before they become problems
We do not believe in creating urgency for its own sake. But we do believe in transparency. When buyers understand the constraints, they can make better decisions.
This applies whether the order is for morale patch wholesale, airsoft patches, or tactical patches with custom specifications.
Chinese New Year Is Predictable — If You Respect It
The most important thing to understand is this:
Chinese New Year is not unpredictable.
The dates change slightly each year, but the impact pattern is consistent. Buyers who respect it and plan around it rarely face major disruptions. Those who treat it like a normal week off often do.
From a manufacturer’s point of view, successful pre-holiday shipping is not about rushing harder — it is about starting earlier.
A Final Word to Overseas Buyers
If you are sourcing from China, Chinese New Year should be treated as a fixed milestone, not an inconvenience.
It affects:
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Production timelines
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Labor availability
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Logistics capacity
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Freight pricing
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Payment coordination
Understanding this does not require deep knowledge of China. It simply requires acknowledging how the supply chain actually operates.
At Quanzhou Jarler Bags Co., Ltd., we have learned that the smoothest projects are the ones where both sides plan ahead, communicate clearly, and avoid last-minute decisions.
That approach saves time, cost, and frustration — for everyone involved.