Lunar New Year 2026 Logistics Strategy

Although Lunar New Year 2026 falls on February 17, the logistics market breaks down much earlier.

Based on four years of Freightos Marketplace data, a demand surge known as the “Red Zone” consistently appears 3–4 weeks before the holiday.

For 2026, the Red Zone runs from January 20 to January 26, making January 20 the real shipping deadline.

For sellers with fixed schedules such as Amazon FBA, delays during this period often lead directly to inventory gaps and lost sales.

“The deadline is not February 17. The real cutoff is January 20.”

Hello, this is Trufulfillment.

Lunar New Year 2026 falls on February 17. On the calendar, that date may seem comfortably far away. However, any importer who has previously shipped from China knows that this date does not represent the true logistics deadline.

Lunar New Year logistics are not disrupted on the holiday itself. Production slowdowns, factory shutdowns, reduced vessel schedules, and labor shortages begin well in advance. In reality, Lunar New Year shipping is a game of avoiding congestion before it starts, not reacting once it is already visible.

Freightos Marketplace recently analyzed four years of shipping search data, covering hundreds of thousands of shipment requests. The results clearly show when the pre–Lunar New Year logistics system begins to break down. When viewed from a Canada import and Amazon FBA perspective, the implications for sellers are very clear.

When Pre–Lunar New Year Shipping Explodes: The “Red Zone”

The data reveals a consistent pattern every year. Approximately three to four weeks before Lunar New Year, shipping demand does not simply increase—it spikes dramatically. Freightos defines this period as the Red Zone.

For 2026, the Red Zone falls between January 20 and January 26. Once the market enters this window, conditions shift from “busy” to outright chaos, with capacity and schedules deteriorating rapidly.

What the Data Tells Us About the Red Zone

One of the most striking findings is how concentrated demand becomes. Nearly 16.9% of all pre-holiday shipping searches occur within a single week during the Red Zone. This level of concentration overwhelms available capacity in a very short time.

Compared to the previous week, search activity jumps by approximately 30%, as many importers begin planning simultaneously. Interestingly, volumes during the Red Zone are about 62% higher than in the final week before Lunar New Year. By that final week, most bookings have already been locked in, leaving little actual capacity available.

In the last week before the holiday, search activity drops to roughly 10.4%. While this may make the market appear calmer, it is largely an illusion. At that point, vessel space is mostly gone, and remaining options are limited, expensive, and risky.

What the Red Zone Means for Importers

Once the market enters the Red Zone, several issues arise at the same time. Vessel space tightens almost immediately, and freight forwarders begin prioritizing higher-paying shipments. Rates often increase as shippers compete to secure limited capacity, and smaller-volume shipments face a higher risk of being rolled to the next vessel.

Operationally, communication also slows down. Forwarders take longer to respond, schedules are harder to confirm, and uncertainty increases. For sellers operating on fixed timelines—especially Amazon FBA sellers—even a short delay during this period can quickly turn into an inventory stockout. This often leads to ranking drops, weaker ad performance, and direct revenue loss.

How to Prepare for Lunar New Year 2026

The first step is changing your mindset. If you think of Lunar New Year as February 17, your planning will already be too late. From a logistics perspective, January 20 is the real cutoff date for 2026.

In practical terms, importers should begin quote comparisons and scheduling discussions around January 13, and finalize bookings no later than January 20. Doing so places you ahead of the majority of shippers who rush into the market during the Red Zone and significantly increases the chances of securing capacity at more standard rates.

By contrast, the period from February 10 to February 16 can be deceptive. The market may appear quieter, but this is not a sign of opportunity. Most capacity has already been sold, remaining space is priced at a premium, and schedule risk is extremely high. Before Lunar New Year, “quiet” does not mean “cheap.”

Trufulfillment’s Practical Perspective

At Trufulfillment, Lunar New Year planning goes far beyond booking a vessel. Each year, we work backward from the full logistics flow, including Canadian customs clearance, inbound delivery to our Toronto and Niagara warehouses, and Amazon FBA receiving schedules.

By planning beyond departure dates and considering post-arrival operations, we help sellers reduce both cost and risk during one of the most volatile shipping seasons of the year. Lunar New Year logistics are won or lost at the planning stage.

⭐Trufulfillment Insight ⭐

At Trufulfillment, Lunar New Year planning is never limited to departure dates alone. Each year, we work backward from the entire logistics flow—factoring in Canadian customs clearance timelines, inbound movements to our Toronto and Niagara warehouses, and Amazon FBA receiving schedules. This post-arrival–inclusive planning approach allows us to anticipate bottlenecks before they happen.

Only by planning this way can importers reduce unexpected disruptions while managing both cost and risk at the same time. Lunar New Year logistics are a season where success or failure is determined long before the holiday itself.

For Lunar New Year 2026, the safest scenario is to begin logistics planning around January 13 and finalize bookings no later than January 20. From January 27 onward, both cost pressure and schedule risk increase rapidly.

Trufulfillment is your most reliable local partner for entering and operating in the Canadian market.

Whether you choose to compete anxiously for expensive Red Zone capacity—or plan ahead and operate with confidence—is a matter of preparation. With Trufulfillment, Lunar New Year 2026 logistics can be managed with full control over timelines, costs, and risk.

Our Services

• Integrated Logistics & Import Clearance: End-to-end logistics and customs clearance—from Korea departure to Canada arrival—built on stable, compliant structures.

• Fulfillment (3PL): Scalable operations including inventory management, prep services, and FBM/D2C order fulfillment to support every growth stage.

• Amazon-Focused Services: End-to-end Amazon support including FBA inbound shipments, labeling and barcoding, removals, and advertising operations management.

• K-Beauty Specialized Services: Full compliance support including CNF, NHP, and DIN registrations, label reviews, and Responsible Person (RP) services.

• Sales Channel Setup & Marketing: Retail expansion through H-Mart, BESTUBY, Walmart, Costco, and more—combined with influencer and social media marketing.

• Government-Supported Programs: Cost optimization through programs such as KOTRA joint logistics initiatives and SMBA overseas private network support.

👉 Looking for a safe and professional partner for Canadian exports and customs clearance?Contact Trufulfillment today: info@trufulfillment.ca