If you import goods from Shenzhen, Hong Kong or elsewhere in southern China, the next few weeks are an important time to review your shipping plans.
In 2026, the timing of two major Chinese holidays creates an unusually tight shipping window. The Mid-Autumn Festival falls on 25 September, followed almost immediately by China’s National Day Golden Week from 01–7 October. That leaves only three working days between the two holidays, creating the potential for significant disruption to production, trucking, warehousing and ocean freight.
For Australian importers, particularly those already planning Christmas inventory, the message is simple: don’t leave your LCL shipments until the last minute.
A double holiday squeeze
The Mid-Autumn Festival holiday runs from 25–27 September, followed by a very short working period from 28–30 September. Then comes the National Day Golden Week shutdown from 01–7 October.
In the weeks leading up to these holidays, factories and exporters will be trying to complete orders and get cargo moving before operations slow down. This creates a familiar pre-holiday rush, with increased demand for vessel space and the possibility of higher freight rates and cargo being rolled to later sailings.
During Golden Week itself, many factories close and logistics operations work with reduced staffing. Although major ports may continue operating, the supply chain feeding those ports can be severely restricted. Trucking, warehouses and documentation processes can all be affected, while shipping lines may introduce blank sailings in response to reduced cargo volumes.
And when business resumes on 8 October, the disruption doesn’t necessarily end. Backlogs can take time to clear, creating further delays through October.
Don’t forget the smaller disruptions
The major holidays aren’t the only dates worth remembering. Qixi Festival on 19 August and the Hungry Ghost Festival on 27 August can also affect business activity and local logistics, although their operational impact varies. For importers, the best strategy is to look beyond the individual holiday dates and plan around the entire period.
Weekly LCL services from Southern China and Hong Kong
For Australian importers who don’t have enough cargo to justify a full container, LCL (Less than Container Load) provides a practical alternative.
Colless Young operates regular weekly LCL consolidation services from Shenzhen and Hong Kong, connecting southern China with Australia’s major ports.
Our service includes:
- Shenzhen & Hong Kong → Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne – weekly direct services
- Adelaide – via Melbourne
- Fremantle – via Singapore
This gives importers the flexibility to move smaller shipments without waiting until they have enough cargo to fill an FCL.
Our LCL service is also available to freight forwarders and co-loaders looking for a dependable consolidation partner. We understand that the key concerns on this trade lane are competitive rates, reliable frequency and punctuality, and our team works closely with customers to keep cargo moving efficiently.
We can also assist with the wider import process, including documentation, customs clearance, consolidation and deconsolidation, marine cargo insurance and other logistics requirements.
Plan now for a smoother finish to 2026
With Christmas inventory already beginning to move through international supply chains, the compressed 2026 holiday calendar makes early planning particularly important.
If you have suppliers in Shenzhen, Hong Kong or the wider southern China region, talk to your freight forwarder now. Booking early gives you a much better chance of securing the sailing and capacity you need before the pre-holiday rush gathers momentum.
Also see our recent article: The Second Half of 2026: Is Your Supply Chain Ready?
At Colless Young, we provide weekly LCL services from Southern China and Hong Kong to Australia and can help you plan the most appropriate shipping option for your cargo. Talk to Andrew 📞 +61 7 3890 0800 📧 enq@collessyoung.com.au
