Chinese New Year can slow down dropshipping fast. Factories pause. Shipping gets crowded. Supplier replies get slower.
If you prepare early, you avoid stockouts, angry customers, and refund stress.
Want the full checklist. Download it here: Free Chinese New Year Dropshipping Checklist
Chinese New Year dropshipping delays happen when factories close, and supply chains get disrupted. This can create backlogs before and after the holiday.
Sources: Flexport Help Center. How to prepare for Chinese New Year (CNY).
Key takeaways
The simple plan (before. during. after)
1) Before Chinese New Year
Step 1. Get the real dates
Ask for dates from 3 places. Supplier. Fulfillment. Shipping.
These dates are often different.
Why this matters. Flexport notes factories close for the holiday week, and supply chains can be disrupted before and after. They also note factories can operate at reduced capacity for weeks around the period.
Sources: Flexport Help Center.
Step 2. Pick your “last safe order date”
Do this for each bestseller.
If you are not confident you can ship it. Don’t push it with ads.
Step 3. Stock winners early
Do not try to stock everything.
Focus on top sellers. High margin. Low complaint risk.
Step 4. Make shipping promises honest
Update these spots:
- Shipping policy page
- Checkout message
- Order confirmation email
If shipping times change, your store should show it clearly. Google lists “missing shipping information” as an example under “Omission of relevant information” in its misrepresentation policy.
Sources: Google Merchant Center Help. Misrepresentation policy.
Step 5. Match Google Merchant Center to your website
Google’s fix guide for “inaccurate shipping costs” says to ensure shipping rates in Merchant Center match what users see on your website at checkout.
Sources: Google Merchant Center Help.
If you want the full Merchant Center safety guide:
Fix Google Merchant Center Account Suspended (Full Guide)
Step 6. Reduce ad spend in steps
Don’t go from 100 to 0 in one move.
Go 100%. 75%. 50%. 25%.
Keep a small baseline if you can still fulfill.
Helpful next step:
How To Test Google Ads Performance Max at ANY Budget Level
2) During Chinese New Year
Keep customers calm with updates
Most refunds happen when people feel ignored.
Send short updates:
- Right after purchase
- When the order is processed
- When tracking is active
- If delays happen
Tone down fake urgency
If you use countdown timers or “only 3 left” messages, keep it realistic.
Shift focus to what you can ship
Put more budget on products you can ship with confidence.
Pause ads for products with shaky stock.
3) After Chinese New Year
Expect a backlog. It does not end on day one.
DHL notes the slowdown can start before the holiday and recovery can take time after.
Sources: DHL. Checklist for smooth shipping before Chinese New Year.
Ramp ads back up in steps
25%. 50%. 75%. 100%.
Wait a few days between steps.
If you sell fashion and want a profit-first scale plan:
Scale Google Shopping Ads for Fashion Stores. Profit First
Do this. Not that.
- Do this: Update shipping times on your website and at checkout.
Not that: Promise fast delivery while suppliers are paused.
- Do this: Match Merchant Center shipping rates to checkout.
Not that: Show cheaper shipping in Merchant Center than on-site.
Sources: Google Merchant Center Help.
When to do this. When not to.
Do these steps when:
- Most orders ship from China
- You rely on 1–2 suppliers for most revenue
- You run Google Ads or Meta Ads at scale
You can keep it lighter when:
- You stock winners locally
- Your fulfillment is outside China
- You already show conservative delivery times
Sources: Flexport Help Center.
Why shipping slows down (simple explanation you can tell customers)
DHL explains that factory shutdowns and logistics bottlenecks can create congestion and delays around Chinese New Year.
Sources: DHL. How Chinese New Year affects shipping.
FAQ
Does Chinese New Year affect dropshipping?
Yes, it can. Factories can close and supply chains can get disrupted.
Sources: Flexport Help Center.
Does Chinese New Year affect shipping?
Yes, it can. DHL describes factory shutdowns and bottlenecks that can slow shipments.
Sources: DHL.
How long do factories close for Chinese New Year?
It depends by supplier. Flexport notes factories close for the holiday week and capacity can be reduced before and after.
Sources: Flexport Help Center.
Does Chinese New Year affect AliExpress or DHgate?
It can, depending on the seller and where they ship from. Ask sellers for their holiday schedule and handling time.
Status: Experience-based (varies by seller)
What should I do with Google Ads during Chinese New Year?
Reduce spend in steps. Keep a small baseline if you can still fulfill. Then ramp back up slowly.
Free checklist
Want the full step-by-step plan. With the timeline, what to update, and the messages to send.
Download the checklist here: Free Chinese New Year Dropshipping Checklist
Extra learning
How this Fashion Dropshipping Brand Increased Conversion Rate for Google Ads Profit (CRO Breakdown)
