Experienced traders in earphone shipment and earbud manufacturing understand the challenges of shipping goods before Chinese New Year. Overbooked vessels, rising costs, and port congestion create significant logistics disruptions during this time.
Here’s what traders are saying:
- “A 400-container vessel now has 1,200 bookings—all delayed until after the holiday.”
- “January shipments have been delayed twice—now rescheduled for February 8th.”
- “My December shipment is still stuck in China and has been rerouted to Singapore!”
Current Port Conditions
- Yantian Port: Terminal space is running out due to early container returns from drivers.
- Ningbo Port: Severe congestion with multi-day waiting times for unloading.

What Causes These Issues?
During Chinese New Year, factories, logistics companies, and shipping operations largely pause, while shipping lines overbook vessels to avoid post-holiday underutilization. This leads to:
- Port Congestion: Skyrocketing costs for trailers and difficulty getting containers out.
- Space Limitations: Overbooking causes containers to miss vessels and face long delays.
- Service Delays: Freight forwarders struggle to manage the increased volume.
- Additional Costs: Storage fees build up as containers wait, leaving clients frustrated.
Digcue’s Solution for Clients
At Digcue, we understand the risks associated with pre-holiday earphone shipments. Our proactive approach ensures:
- Clear communication: We inform clients about potential delays and offer realistic timelines.
- Careful planning: We optimize production and shipping schedules to avoid peak congestion.
- Client-first service: Every order is handled with care to minimize disruptions and protect client trust.

Tips for New Traders
Shipping before Chinese New Year is fraught with challenges, including:
- Port congestion
- Space shortages
- Limited staff availability
- Rising costs
- Delayed shipments
Experienced traders recommend either avoiding pre-holiday shipments or setting clear expectations with clients to manage delays.
Join the Conversation
At Digcue, we specialize in supporting clients with tailored solutions for the earphone and earbud industry. By letting us manage logistics complexities, our clients can focus on growing their businesses.
Have you faced pre-holiday shipping challenges in your trading journey? How do you handle delays and disruptions?
