Navigate PCB Production During Chinese Holidays
Master PCB Planning for Uninterrupted Production
Discover essential strategies to ensure seamless PCB production during the China national holidays. Stay ahead with our expert guidance.
Why national holidays in China affect global PCB supply
Every year, China’s national holidays have a major impact on global manufacturing — and PCB production is no exception.
With most of the world’s printed circuit boards produced in China, even a short factory closure can cause weeks of disruption across supply chains.
At Tate Circuits, we have supplied PCBs from our factory in Shenzhen since 2009, and we understand exactly how to keep production flowing.
Our customers across the UK and Europe rely on us to plan ahead of Chinese shutdowns — ensuring their PCB supply continues smoothly, no matter the time of year.
This guide explains how to plan your PCB purchasing around the two main national holidays in China, how shutdowns affect production, and how Tate Circuits helps you avoid costly delays and extended lead times.
The two major factory shutdowns to plan around
1. Chinese New Year — the biggest manufacturing shutdown of the year
The Chinese New Year (Spring Festival) holiday is the single biggest event on China’s calendar — and the most significant period of disruption in the manufacturing industry.
Officially, the shutdown lasts for around two weeks, but the real impact spans much longer.
Factories begin to wind down up to 10 days before the holiday, and it can take three to four weeks afterwards for production and logistics to return to full speed.
Why the disruption lasts longer than the official dates
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Many factory workers travel long distances across China to visit family and often take extended leave.
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Post-holiday staff changes and system resets slow down production restart.
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Courier and freight networks operate under temporary weight restrictions and reduced schedules.
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The combined effect leads to backlogs and increased shipping times across the entire supply chain.
2. Golden Week — shorter but still impactful
China’s Golden Week takes place in early October and includes the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival.
This shutdown is shorter — usually 5–7 days — and has a smaller impact than Chinese New Year, but it still affects production schedules and courier services for a short period.
It’s worth planning ahead if you need urgent boards around this time.
Key Considerations for PCB Production
Even for experienced buyers, the effects of these holidays can catch you by surprise.
Here’s how the typical pattern unfolds across the industry:
Before the shutdown
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Factory capacity tightens as thousands of customers rush to place pre-holiday orders.
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Lead times extend as the production queue fills quickly.
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Courier networks begin prioritising exports and restricting non-essential cargo.
During the shutdown
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All production stops. No boards are fabricated or shipped.
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Courier services pause operations or run at minimal capacity.
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Communication with factories is limited.
After the shutdown
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Factories restart gradually, often with new staff and rebalanced workloads.
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Couriers face delays as shipments pile up across ports and airports.
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It can take up to four weeks for production to stabilise and return to normal lead times.
Planning early
For buyers working to tight project deadlines, this can mean serious disruption — unless orders are planned well in advance.
How Tate Circuits keeps customers ahead of the shutdowns
Since 2009, Tate Circuits has developed a proven system to keep our UK and European customers fully supplied through China’s national holidays.
Our process is built on experience, precision planning, and trusted relationships with our Shenzhen factory team. Here is how we do it:
Early scheduling
Customers can schedule orders months ahead ensuring guaranteed production slots before national holidays begin.
Flexible invoicing
Choose your preferred delivery month and only pay when the boards are dispatched.
Guaranteed despatch
Orders placed early are prioritised for shipment before factory shutdown.
UK-based coordination
Our UK team monitor production schedules and shipment status daily.
Full transparency
You will receive regular updates on order status and delivery timelines as the holiday approaches.
Lock in low prices
By ordering early, our customers lock in standard lead time pricing before the seasonal surge.
One major advantage of working with Tate Circuits is that our Shenzhen factory remains open throughout the Christmas and New Year period, continuing full PCB production while many UK suppliers close down. This means customers who place orders before Christmas can benefit from uninterrupted manufacturing and guaranteed production slots ahead of the Chinese New Year shutdown.
The benefits of ordering ahead
Planning early is not just about avoiding disruption — it also gives you several tangible business advantages:
✅ Guaranteed despatch before the Chinese New Year shutdown
✅ Standard lead time pricing — no express surcharges or UK manufacture premiums
✅ Priority production slots before the factory schedule fills
✅ Stable shipping rates before seasonal courier price increases
✅ On-time PCB delivery to keep your production line moving
Many customers find that ordering ahead for January, February, and March allows them to secure better pricing and availability while maintaining flexibility in their delivery schedule.
PCB Buyers tip:
Many customers find that ordering ahead for January, February, and March allows them to secure better pricing and availability while maintaining flexibility in their delivery schedule.
When to place your PCB orders
Chinese New Year
Typical dates: Late January – Mid February
✅ Recommended time to order: Place PCB orders by the end of December for guaranteed pre-holiday despatch.
GOLDEN WEEK
Typical dates: First week of October
✅ Recommended time to order: Place orders by mid-September to avoid any shipping delays.
How do I plan PCB production around Chinese holidays?
What are the lead times during holiday periods?
During holiday periods, lead times may be extended due to factory closures. We recommend placing orders well in advance to ensure timely delivery.
Can I still get support during the holidays?
Yes, our UK-based team remains available to provide support and answer any queries you may have, even during the holiday period.
What steps should I take to avoid delays?
To avoid delays, plan your production schedule early, confirm all design files, and communicate any special requirements to our team ahead of time.
Are there any additional costs during holidays?
There are no additional costs specifically for holidays, but expedited shipping options may incur extra charges if needed to meet tight deadlines.
How does the holiday schedule affect production?
Our Shenzhen factory observes Chinese national holidays, which may temporarily halt production. We advise checking the holiday calendar and planning accordingly.
What is the best time to place an order before holidays?
Ideally, place your order at least four weeks before the holiday to ensure all processes are completed on time.
Can I expedite my order during the holiday season?
Expedited services are available, but availability may be limited. Contact our team to discuss your specific needs and options.
How do I ensure my design files are correct?
We offer a complimentary Gerber file review service to ensure your design files are accurate before production begins.
What should I do if I have an urgent order?
If you have an urgent order, contact our team immediately. We will do our best to accommodate your needs and provide a fast turnaround.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long does the Chinese New Year shutdown last?
A: The official closure is around two weeks, but the full impact on production and shipping usually lasts four to six weeks in total.
Q: Will my PCB order be delayed if I place it just before the holiday?
A: If the order reaches us too close to the factory cut-off date, it will be scheduled for production after the holiday. We recommend placing orders by early December to guarantee despatch before Chinese New Year.
Q: Can you hold my order for later delivery?
A: Yes, we can schedule production now and deliver in your chosen month, with invoicing on despatch.
Q: Do shipping costs rise before the shutdown?
A: International courier rates can increase in the weeks leading up to the holiday due to capacity limits. Early orders secure lower, pre-holiday rates.
Q: How do you ensure continuity of supply during China’s holidays?
A: We plan months in advance with our Shenzhen factory team, ensuring customer orders are produced and shipped before closure. We maintain active production schedules and clear communication from our UK office throughout the period.
What Our Customers Say
“We’ve been ordering through Tate Circuits for a few years now. They always remind us early about the Chinese New Year break, and it honestly saves us every time. Boards arrive when they say they will — no drama.”
“Communication is spot on. They’re straight with us about factory schedules and what’s realistic. That honesty is why we’ve stuck with them all these years.”
“The team make it really easy to plan around the shutdowns in China. We just tell them what we’ll need for the next couple of months and they sort the schedule. Makes my life a lot easier.”
“Their attention to detail and commitment to customer satisfaction made all the difference for our holiday production schedule.”
Get Expert Advice Today
Every year, the Chinese New Year and Golden Week holidays bring challenges for global manufacturing — but with careful planning, they do not have to affect your production.
At Tate Circuits, our experienced UK and Shenzhen teams have a well-established system for managing holiday schedules, securing capacity, and ensuring your boards are delivered on time.