Chinese New Year (CNY), also called the Spring Festival, is China's biggest national holiday. Because the majority of Zendrop's suppliers are based in China, CNY affects order processing and shipping times every year. Here's what to expect and how to plan ahead.
Why CNY disrupts dropshipping supply chains
Zendrop, like all drop-shipping platforms sourcing from China, doesn't hold inventory. Products are purchased from factories after an order is placed, then processed and shipped. During CNY, most factories close entirely or operate at reduced capacity, which creates a chain reaction:
Factories stop taking or fulfilling orders during the closure period.
Factories scale down weeks before the official holiday as workers travel home.
After the holiday, factories can take one to two additional weeks to return to full capacity.
The result: orders placed in the window surrounding CNY can experience delays of 2–4 weeks beyond normal processing times.
This applies to all drop-shipping suppliers sourcing from China, it's not specific to Zendrop. Every platform and seller is affected equally.
When does the disruption window typically occur?
The official CNY holiday period changes each year (it follows the lunar calendar), but the disruption window is typically:
Pre-holiday slowdown: 2–3 weeks before the official start date
Official closure: Approximately 9 days (varies by year)
Post-holiday ramp-up: 1–2 weeks after factories reopen
CNY typically falls in late January or February. Check your Zendrop dashboard for a banner announcement each year, Zendrop posts the specific dates and impact window as soon as they're confirmed.
How to protect your store during CNY
Stock up early. If you use Zendrop's warehouse storage or have access to pre-stocked inventory, build up stock before the holiday window begins.
Switch to U.S.-based suppliers. Zendrop's U.S. supplier products aren't affected by CNY factory closures. Use the Ships from USA filter on the Find Products page to find alternatives.
Add a delivery disclaimer at checkout. Let customers know during the CNY window that processing times are extended. A short, honest message prevents support tickets.
Pause ads for affected products. If you can't fulfill a product during the closure window, pause ad spend on it temporarily rather than accumulating delayed orders.
Monitor your Zendrop dashboard. Zendrop posts banners with updated timelines during major holiday disruptions. Check it regularly from late January onward.
What happens to orders already placed?
Orders placed before the factory closure but not yet shipped will queue for fulfillment once operations resume. Zendrop will fulfill and ship them as quickly as possible when factories reopen, no action is needed on your part. For refund and replacement eligibility during delays, see Refund, Replacement, and Return Policy.
Have a U.S.-focused store? The Ships from USA filter keeps your store running normally during CNY. It's the fastest way to keep sales moving without worrying about factory closures.