A Complete Guide to Navigate Your Logistics Ahead of Golden Week
It’s already that time of year again when we start to prepare for Golden Week. For those of you who are not familiar, Golden Week is a week-long holiday in China that takes place in early October. It’s a time when production facilities are closed except for a skeleton workforce. Many employees go on vacation or, among other things, so transportation and logistics can get a little hectic.
If you’re a business owner who relies on shipments to and from China during this time, now is the time to start planning and preparing. In this article, we’ll discuss some potential impacts of China’s Golden Week on your logistics and what you can do to mitigate them.
When is Golden Week in China 2022
Golden Week in China falls on October 1st-7th. That’s right; it’s coming up fast! If you’re doing any business in China, you need to be aware of this holiday and what it means for your shipments.
How Will Golden Week Impact My Shipments?
Golden Week is a week-long national holiday in China so Chinese factories will be closed. As importers rush to ship goods from China to the US, Canada, and Europe before the holiday’s closures, capacity will be tight, and prices will be high for both air freight and ocean freight.
How will Golden Week impact My Supply Chain?
As China’s Golden Week holiday period approaches, importers are rushing to finish production and make pre-Golden Week sailings. Carriers will be more overbooked than usual, which will likely roll cargo, further constrains freight space (which is already very tight during peak season), and drive up ocean freight and airfreight prices.
You may have to face delayed shipments during Golden Week. Containers don’t make it in time for their vessels’ departure, and carriers must reschedule shipments. Containers are placed on ships with later departure times, which leads to delays.
You may also see higher prices for trucking in the origin country – China, due to trucking services in higher demand during the holiday. You’ll also see blank sailings immediately after Golden Week — because China factories close during the holiday, carriers will announce blank sailings to optimize vessel utilization.
How Should I Prepare for Golden Week 2022?
You’re probably wondering if will there be delays? What do you need to do to prepare?
Here are a few things you should keep in mind:
- First of all, be sure to contact your carrier and let them know about any changes to your shipping schedule.
- Make sure all your paperwork is in order, and that you have the necessary import permits if you’re shipping into China.
- If you’re using a customs broker, be sure to give them plenty of notice so they can get everything in order.
- Packages may be subject to inspection, so make sure you have the proper documentation and that all your goods are declared correctly.
- There may be delays due to increased volumes, so please plan ahead.
When Do I need to Book My Shipment?
Generally speaking, you should book your shipment at least two weeks ahead of time to avoid any potential delays. But if you’re shipping something especially large or heavy, then you’ll need to give your China freight forwarder even more notice. That’s because they need time to make sure they have the right resources in place to handle your order.
So if you’re planning on shipping anything with ABL Logistics during Golden Week, it’s best to get in touch with us as soon as possible. We’ll work with you to find the best possible solution for your needs.
Should I use FCL or LCL Shipping Services?
How Golden Week will impact your shipments depends on how you ship them. Are you using FCL or LCL shipping services?
If you’re using sea freight FCL shipping services, your shipments will be fine. But you might run into some delays if you’re using LCL shipping services. That’s because there will be a higher demand for shipping during Golden Week, so your shipment might get bumped to the back of the line.
If your cargo is urgent, ABL Logistics recommends shipping your goods as FCL (Full Container Load) instead of LCL (Less Container Load) as these shipments require less handling, such as loading and unloading during the journey.
What Transport Alternative Should I Choose?
Pinpoint your main logistics priority before choosing transport mode. If your cargo is not super urgent, you can benefit significantly from using a multi-modal transportation service that combines different transport modes.
For time-sensitive goods, transportation by air freight is the best alternative. But keep in mind that you should book at least 1 week prior to Golden Week for air shipments.
Retailers and logistics providers can ship goods with LCL transports to enjoy lower shipping costs and flexibility. For ocean shipments, please book 2-3 weeks prior to Golden Week.
How Do I Avoid Chassis Split & Trucking Wait Fees?
Use Air Cargo from China
If you need to ship urgently, consider using air cargo to avoid shipping delays and possibly wait fees.
Consider Opting for 40 ft Containers
As 20 ft containers will be in high demand. Even if you might not require the extra space, the lower demand for the 40-ft could result in better rates and availability.
Request for Carrier Haulage
Check with freight carriers that can arrange carriage instead of a trucker if chassis split fees are an issue for you. Carrier haulage differs from merchant haulage in that a carrier is responsible for arranging the container movement.
Choose The Right 3PL Company in China
Hiring an experienced China third party logistics company to handle your drayage will go a long way in minimizing your accessorial fees. A china logistics company that lists drayage as a core competency is the best choice.
ABL Logistics fits the bill. By hiring ABL, you are not only getting access to an extensive network of carriers and proprietary technology but also a freight expert team that will keep you in the loop every step of the way. You will know precisely where your container is at all times, from the moment a load is pre-alerted to the grounding of container, the scheduling of pickup and delivery, to the empty/loaded return of the container to the port or rail hub.
Our team is the liaison between you and the carrier/consignee to arrange a schedule that mitigates these charges, allowing you to get the most competitive shipping rate.
How ABL can Support You during Peak Season
Will there be delays for your cargo? What can you do to make sure your goods arrive on time? Here are some of the benefits that you can expect from us.
1. Book Your Shipments In Advance
Here at ABL Logistics, we ensure that your cargo is at the front of the line and gets processed as quickly as possible during this peak season. That’s why we’re offering a number of services to help you navigate your logistics ahead of time.
2. Make Sure Your Cargo Is Prioritized
We can provide you with a detailed timeline of your shipments, so you know exactly when they will be delivered. We also have several storage facilities in China, should you need to store your goods for a short time.
3. Back Shipments Up with A Contingency Plan
We back your shipments up with a contingency plan in case of delays. We will help you avoid any costly interruptions to your supply chain.
3. Keep You Updated with What’s Going On
We will keep you updated on what’s going on. We know you’re busy and don’t have time to track our every move. So we’ll keep you in the loop with regular updates on your shipment’s progress.
5. Give You Flexibility on Service Picking
If the need arises, you can add inland services to an ocean shipment booking, which eliminates the need to engage multiple freight forwarders, which is especially useful during the rush peak shipping season. We understand that things can change last minute, so we’ll work with you to find a solution that fits your needs.
6. Give You the Most Competitive Rate 100% of the time
We always aim to give you the Most Competitive Freight Shipping Rate, and we have a range of services to help you navigate this busy period.
We can help you with everything from free China warehousing to distribution to last-mile delivery. So whatever your needs, ABL Logistics has got you covered.
Conclusion:
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact ABL Logistics. We are committed to providing you with the Best Possible Freight Service during this busy time.
We hope our advice helps, and happy shipping!