How to arrange foreign trade work in the month before the Spring Festival? A direct, sales-level work checklist.

To all my fellow veterans who have been navigating the business world for years, the year-end is upon us again. The official holiday for the 2026 Spring Festival is from February 15th to 23rd, a full 9 days. But we both know in our hearts that this isn't just a 9-day holiday. It's a "supply chain test" that starts in mid-to-late January and lasts for 6-8 weeks until mid-to-late March. Factories will gradually shut down, ports will be packed like sardine cans, truck drivers will go home for the Lunar New Year, and your customers may be "hijacked" by your competitors with earlier plans.

The mistakes we've made over the years have taught us that pre-Chinese New Year orders aren't obtained through pressure, but through planning and negotiation. This 30-day battle plan, tailored just for you, combines the latest supply chain dynamics with countless practical experiences, with only one goal: to let you enjoy a worry-free Chinese New Year with your orders, instead of anxiously refreshing emails during the holiday.

Part One: Overall Insight – The “Crisis” and “Opportunity” of the 2026 Spring Festival

Before taking action, it is essential to have a clear understanding of the entire battlefield. The supply chain disruptions during the 2026 Spring Festival will unfold in four distinct phases:

1. Pre-holiday slowdown (starting from late January) : Workers begin returning to their hometowns, and production capacity gradually declines. This is your last golden window to expedite orders.

2. Complete shutdown period (February 10-25) : Production basically stopped, and domestic logistics were almost paralyzed. At this point, any promise is just an empty check.

3. Gradual recovery period (first 2-3 weeks of March) : Worker return rate may be only 35%, with many new employees and high quality risks. Delivery time is extremely unreliable.

4. Full recovery period (mid-to-late March) : Production and logistics will basically return to normal.

The three major challenges this year :

• Freight rates are soaring : Starting in mid-December, ocean and air freight rates are expected to rise predictably due to the pre-holiday shipping surge. .

• Port congestion and port skipping : Shipping companies may temporarily cancel voyages (port skipping) to maintain freight rates, resulting in severe delays at major ports such as Shanghai and Singapore.

• The "China + 1" strategy is under pressure : Alternative production locations for some industries (such as Vietnam) are also celebrating the Lunar New Year, causing simultaneous disruptions at global supply chain nodes and further reducing the margin for error. .

Our core strategy is to ensure our clients make their decisions before the end of January. Our communication goes beyond simply saying "Please confirm the order"; we act as professional advisors, helping clients mitigate risks and secure advantages .

Part Two: Final Action Checklist for 30 Days Before Spring Festival (Countdown Battle Plan)

The table below is your daily action plan for the next 30 days. Please follow it strictly:

Part Three: High-Efficiency Sales Conversion Strategies – A Game Theory Matrix Based on Customer Types

Following up on a sale isn't about begging; it's a game of strategy based on psychology and self-interest. You need to adopt completely different strategies depending on the type of customer.

Customer Game Matrix

Part Four: A Library of High-Quality Sales Conveying Scripts

Principle : Every word you say should be based on the client's interests, reflecting your professionalism and foresight.

1. Targeting existing clients and high-spending clients (timbre: professional, long-term, responsible)

• Subject : Urgent: Final Production Schedule Before CNY & Strategic Plan for Your Project [Project Name]

• text :

  Dear [Client Name],

  Hope this email finds you well.

  As your dedicated partner, I'm writing to ensure a smooth transition into the Chinese New Year (CNY) for your supply chain. Our factory's final cut-off date for guaranteed pre-CNY shipment is [specific date, such as Jan 25th] .

  Based on our analysis of your order pattern and the upcoming market season (eg, Q2 promotion), any delay beyond this date will likely push your delivery to late March , due to the widespread post-holiday labor shortage and port congestion.

  More importantly, considering the potential cost fluctuations in raw materials post-CNY , confirming now would effectively lock in both the timeline and the cost for you, securing your profit margin for the upcoming season.

  I've proactively reserved a production slot and sea freight space for your potential order until [date]. Please let me know your decision at your earliest convenience so we can execute flawlessly for you.

  Best regards,
  Your Name

2. Targeting new and hesitant customers (timbre: sincerity, risk mitigation, providing options)

• Subject : Follow-up on [Product] Inquiry & A Risk-Free Proposal Before CNY

• text :

  Dear [Client Name],

  Following up on your interest in [product]. I understand initiating a new partnership requires trust.

  With the Chinese New Year holiday approaching (Feb 15-23) , I want to provide you with a clear picture:

  • Option A (Recommended) : Confirm a trial order before [date] . We can arrange production immediately and ship it out before the holiday, allowing you to test the market upon arrival.

  • Option B : Place order after CNY. Please note that new orders will be scheduled sequentially from mid-March , with longer lead times due to industry-wide backlog .

  To minimize your risk with Option A, we offer flexible payment terms (eg, 30% deposit) and will send you detailed pre-shipment photos for approval.

  This is not pressure, but a transparent overview to help you plan better. Which timeline works better for your business?

  Sincerely,
  Your Name

3. Targeting customers with low average order value/standard products (tone of communication: direct, urgent, and beneficial)

• Subject : Last Call for Pre-CNY Stock: [Product Model] Inventory Alert

• text :

  Hi [Client Name],

  Quick and important update regarding the popular item [product model].

  Our current inventory is down to the last [number] pallets . To ensure you have stock for continuous sales, the final order date for pre-CNY shipping is [date] .

  As a token of appreciation for early confirmation, orders placed before this date will enjoy a [eg: 2%] discount on freight.

  After the holiday, production will resume with updated costs, and the next available shipment won't be until late March.

  Please reply with your quantity to secure your stock.

  Best,
  Your Name

Part Five: Tips and Advice from Veteran Foreign Trade Professionals

1. Make good use of tools to free up manpower :

   • The CRM system is the brain : use tools such as AB Customer CRM to tag customers (e.g., "CNY-A category"), set task reminders, and avoid forgetting.

   • Email tracking is like having your eyes : Use tools like AB Inquiry marketing emails to check if emails have been opened and when they were opened. If a customer repeatedly reads your follow-up emails but doesn't reply, call them next time to directly ask about their concerns.

   • A multi-pronged approach : For important matters, after sending an email, send a message on WhatsApp saying, "Just sent you an important update regarding the CNY schedule. Please check when convenient." Reserve phone calls for the most important clients.

2. "Seeing" the customer goes beyond mere rhetoric : the highest level of communication is making the customer feel understood. Occasionally, interject with something like, "I know you are also evaluating options from other suppliers, and our shared goal is to secure a reliable supply for your business." This empathy can significantly break down barriers.

3. A crucial piece of advice for newcomers : When chasing orders before the Spring Festival, be gentle in your attitude but firm in your stance . You can be incredibly enthusiastic and attentive to your clients, but there's absolutely no room for negotiation on bottom-line terms such as production deadlines and price validity periods. Your professionalism and determination are your own bargaining chips in earning respect and securing orders.

Conclusion :

The Spring Festival is a stress test of the professional capabilities of all foreign trade professionals. How early you can anticipate problems, how clearly you can communicate risks, and how firmly you can execute plans determine whether you passively "wait for orders" or proactively "take control." By using this approach, you can not only secure orders but also gain deeper trust from your clients.

Wishing you a great start to 2026, with plenty of orders and a happy new year!