As a professional mold processing factory in China, we understand that seamless collaboration relies heavily on effective scheduling and communication. For overseas clients partnering with Chinese suppliers, being familiar with China’s major public holidays is crucial—it helps avoid production delays, ensure timely order delivery, and build more efficient cooperative relationships. In this blog, we will detail China’s key holidays that impact the mold manufacturing industry, explain their potential effects on production and logistics, and share practical tips for smooth collaboration.
1. Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) – The Most Influential Holiday for Manufacturing
Spring Festival is China’s most important traditional holiday, and its impact on the mold industry is the most significant, spanning the longest period.
Key Information
- Date: Based on the lunar calendar, usually falling between late January and mid-February (e.g., Spring Festival 2025 is from January 29 to February 4, with a total of 7 official holidays).
- Actual Impact Period: Most mold factories will shut down for 2-4 weeks. Many workers return to their hometowns for the holiday, and production usually resumes gradually 1-2 weeks after the official holiday ends as workers return to work.
Impact on Mold Processing
This is the longest production break of the year for mold factories. During this period, not only is production suspended, but logistics and supply chains (such as raw material supply, component processing, and shipping) also slow down significantly. For complex mold projects that require multiple processing steps, the Spring Festival holiday can easily cause delivery delays if not planned in advance.
Collaboration Tips
- Plan orders 2-3 months in advance: Confirm order details, sign contracts, and arrange advance payment as early as possible to allow the factory sufficient time for production before the holiday shutdown.
- Communicate emergency plans: If you have urgent orders that need to be delivered around the Spring Festival, discuss with the supplier in advance. Some key production lines may remain operational during the holiday with special arrangements (e.g., providing additional subsidies to employees to stay at work) .
- Allow a buffer period for resumption: After the holiday, factor in a 1-2 week buffer for the factory to resume full production capacity, including equipment maintenance, raw material restocking, and team reorganization.
2. National Day Holiday – A Major Autumn Break
National Day commemorates the founding of the People’s Republic of China, and it is another long holiday that affects industrial production.
Key Information
- Date: October 1st to October 7th every year (7 official holidays).
- Actual Impact Period: Most mold factories close for the full 7-day holiday, with production resuming immediately after the holiday. Unlike Spring Festival, the post-holiday resumption period is shorter (usually 1-3 days) as workers generally do not travel long distances.
Impact on Mold Processing
While the shutdown period is shorter than Spring Festival, the National Day holiday still disrupts the normal production schedule. If your order is in the middle of processing, this 7-day break will directly extend the delivery time. In addition, logistics companies also suspend or reduce services during the holiday, affecting the transportation of finished molds or raw materials.
Collaboration Tips
- Confirm production progress before the holiday: Before September 25th, communicate with the supplier to confirm the production status of your order. If necessary, arrange to complete key processing steps (such as wire EDM, CNC machining) before the holiday.
- Avoid urgent orders during the holiday period: Try not to set delivery deadlines that fall within or immediately after the National Day holiday. If unavoidable, negotiate with the factory to arrange overtime production before the holiday.
3. Other Important Holidays (Shorter Impact)
In addition to the two major long holidays above, China has several shorter public holidays. Although their impact on mold production is relatively minor, it is still necessary to be aware of them to avoid communication delays.
| Holiday | Date | Impact on Mold Industry |
|---|---|---|
| Qingming Festival | Early April (3-day holiday) | Most factories close for 3 days; production and logistics are temporarily suspended. Minimal impact on long-term orders. |
| Labor Day | May 1st (5-day holiday in recent years) | A medium-length holiday; some factories may arrange partial production lines to operate, but overall efficiency decreases. Logistics may experience slight delays. |
| Mid-Autumn Festival | Mid-September (3-day holiday, based on the lunar calendar) | Similar to Qingming Festival, the impact is short-term. Most factories resume full production immediately after the holiday. |
4. General Collaboration Guidelines for Working with Chinese Mold Suppliers
Beyond understanding holiday schedules, the following tips can further enhance the efficiency of your collaboration with Chinese mold factories:
- Establish clear communication channels: Confirm the primary contact person for your order and their holiday availability. For urgent matters during holidays, ensure there is an alternative contact method (such as a dedicated WeChat or WhatsApp account).
- Clarify delivery terms in the contract: Explicitly state the impact of holidays on delivery time in the contract, such as whether the holiday period is excluded from the production cycle, to avoid disputes later.
- Stay updated on holiday schedules: China’s official holiday arrangements are announced by the government every year (usually in late October for the next year). You can check the official schedule or consult your supplier to adjust your order plan in a timely manner.
- Respect cultural differences: Holidays are important for Chinese workers to reunite with their families. Understanding and respecting this cultural tradition helps build a more trusting cooperative relationship with your supplier.
Our Commitment to Smooth Collaboration
At our mold processing factory, we prioritize transparent communication and reliable scheduling. To help our clients avoid holiday-related disruptions, we proactively do the following:
- Provide advance holiday notices: We will inform clients of our specific holiday shutdown and resumption dates 1-2 months before major holidays (especially Spring Festival and National Day).
- Offer customized production plans: For clients with urgent orders, we will evaluate the feasibility of arranging holiday production (with appropriate compensation for employees) and propose the best solution .
- Maintain emergency contact during holidays: We assign dedicated staff to handle urgent client inquiries during holidays to ensure timely communication.
Collaborating with Chinese mold suppliers brings significant advantages in terms of cost-effectiveness and technical capabilities. By understanding China’s holiday schedule and following the above collaboration tips, you can minimize potential delays and maximize the efficiency of your cooperation. If you have any questions about order scheduling or holiday arrangements, please feel free to contact us—we are always here to provide professional support for your mold processing needs.
