Before the Spring Festival holiday, don't forget to do these 7 things!

At this time of year, many factories and companies have basically entered a production shutdown or final shipment stage. Next week will be more about “wrapping things up + preparing for the holiday.”
 
So, what exactly should foreign trade professionals focus on during the last week before the holiday? Xiao Bang has put together a practical checklist for you. Follow it step by step, and you’ll save yourself a lot of trouble after the holiday.


 
1. Send Holiday Notification Emails in Advance
 
This must be done ahead of time, otherwise you may easily hear this from clients after the holiday:
“Why didn’t you inform us in advance?”
 
A proper holiday notice email must include four key points:
 
* Holiday period
* Date of resuming work
* Work arrangements during the holiday
* Emergency contact information
 
General Holiday Notification Email
 
Dear [Customer Name],
 
Please be advised that our company will be closed from [Holiday Start Date] to [Holiday End Date] for the Chinese New Year holiday.
 
Normal business operations will resume on [Resumption Date].
 
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and sincerely appreciate your understanding.
If you have any inquiries during the holiday, please feel free to email us at [Email Address], and we will respond as soon as possible after we resume work.
 
Best regards,
[Your Name]
 
For Customers with Upcoming Shipments or Orders (Recommended to Notify Separately)
 
Dear [Customer Name],
 
Please kindly note that any orders placed during the Chinese New Year holiday will be arranged for production after [Production Resumption Date].
 
To avoid any unnecessary delays, we recommend placing your orders in advance.
The shipping cut-off date is [Shipping Cut-off Date].
 
Should you have any urgent matters, please feel free to contact us at [Email Address] or call [Phone Number].
 
Thank you for your understanding.
 
Best regards,
[Your Name]
 
2. Publish Holiday Notices on Your Website / B2B Platforms
 
Many new customers place orders directly through your website or B2B platforms.
No announcement = orders left unattended = poor customer experience.
 
General English Holiday Announcement (Website / Platform)
 
Dear Customers,
 
Please be informed that our company will be closed from [Holiday Start Date] to [Holiday End Date] for the Chinese New Year holiday.
 
Normal business operations will resume on [Resumption Date].
Orders placed during the holiday will be arranged for production after [Production Resumption Date].
 
Thank you very much for your continued support and cooperation.
Wishing you a prosperous and successful year in 2026!
 
3. Set Up Email Auto-Reply (Very Important)
 
Without an auto-reply during the holiday, customers may think you’ve gone completely offline.
Keep the message clear and concise.
 
Email Auto-Reply Template
 
Dear [Sender’s Name],
 
Thank you for your email.
 
Please note that our office will be closed for the Chinese New Year holiday from February 8th to February 23rd, and we will resume normal operations on February 24th.
 
During this period, responses may be delayed.
If your matter is urgent, please contact [Contact Person] at [Email] or [Phone Number].
 
Thank you for your understanding. We will get back to you as soon as possible after the holiday.
 
Best regards,
[Your Name]
 
4. Back Up Customer Information and Files
 
Key items to back up include:
 
* Customer contact details (Email, WhatsApp, LinkedIn)
* Quotations, contracts, PIs, and communication records
* Information on key customers currently under follow-up
 
Recommendations:
 
* Use both local + cloud backups (Google Drive / OneDrive / company cloud storage)
* Name files as “Customer Name + Date” to avoid confusion after the holiday
 
5. Back Up Work Progress So You Don’t Start from Zero After the Holiday
 
Spending 1–2 hours before the holiday on this is absolutely worth it:
 
* Current status of each key customer
* Prices and terms under negotiation
* Production progress
* First action to take after returning to work
 
It’s recommended to organize them by High / Medium / Low priority so you can quickly get back on track.
 
6. Don’t Completely Disconnect from Industry Information During the Holiday
 
A holiday in foreign trade does not mean the industry stops moving.
You don’t need to work intensively, but it’s important to stay aware by:
 
* Monitoring ocean freight rate changes
* Keeping an eye on exchange rate fluctuations
* Following policy updates and raw material cost changes
* Checking and handling emails at least once a day
 
Stay light, but stay connected.
 
7. Send a Holiday Greeting to Customers (Bonus Points)
 
Chinese New Year is also celebrated in South Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, and other countries.
If you know your customer is also on holiday, a simple greeting can leave a very positive impression.