Golden Week in China brings a week-long pause to production and logistics, making early planning essential to keep supply chains moving smoothly.

As businesses prepare for the final quarter of 2025, one of the key moments in the global logistics calendar is fast approaching: Golden Week in China. This national holiday, marked by widespread celebrations and travel, causes a predictable but significant pause in production and logistics across the region. For companies that rely on goods moving in and out of China, planning ahead is essential.

What is Golden Week?

Golden Week begins on 1 October and runs through to 8 October, marking the anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. It’s a major public holiday, with many workers taking extended time off to travel or visit family. Most factories, offices, and government services shut down for the duration, and while some essential services continue on a limited basis, most logistics operations are suspended.

What It Means for Supply Chains

Golden Week’s impact stretches far beyond China. In the lead-up to the holiday, demand spikes as businesses try to ship goods before operations pause. This surge creates a ripple effect throughout the supply chain, leading to three key challenges:

• Limited capacity: The rush to move freight ahead of the shutdown puts pressure on both ocean and air capacity. Carriers often become overbooked, and cargo may be delayed or rolled to later sailings.
• Rising costs: With demand outpacing supply, shipping rates usually increase. Costs can rise across both international and domestic transport during this time.
• Backlogs after the break: Even when the holiday ends, things don’t return to normal immediately. Factories and ports face backlogs that can take weeks to clear, extending lead times and causing congestion across the network.

With a proactive plan in place, it’s possible to reduce the risk of disruption. Woodland Group’s local presence and global network make a difference when it matters most.

• On-the-ground support: Our teams across China, including Hong Kong, as well as in the US and UK, offer real-time support with local knowledge. From customs clearance to road freight, we’re on hand to manage challenges as they arise.
• Digital integration for proactive management: Our digital tools are built to give you full control and visibility of your supply chain. We integrate directly with your internal systems, so you can monitor shipment milestones, track performance, and make informed decisions in real time. You get access to live data that supports early forecasting and smarter planning. This allows you to secure capacity in advance, adjust delivery schedules before congestion builds, and identify potential risks ahead of time. The result is fewer surprises and better coordination across teams, regions, and partners.
• Specialist planning: Our experts work with you to build a strategy that fits your priorities. Whether that means flagging critical shipments, securing capacity in advance, or identifying alternate routes, we help ensure key goods stay on the move.

Golden Week is a well-known pressure point in the logistics calendar, but with the right preparation, it doesn’t have to disrupt your business. Woodland Group brings together technology, experience, and local knowledge to keep your supply chain resilient; before, during, and after the holiday.

To speak with a member of our team about how we can support your shipments through Golden Week, reach out to your Woodland Representative or contact us directly.