How to carry out work during the Spring Festival resumption period?

The Holiday Is Over! How’s Everyone’s Return to Work, Fellow Foreign Trade Friends?

Are you feeling a bit “out of sorts” and unsure where to start? Don’t panic. Today I’ve put together highly practical back‑to‑work guidance for foreign trade professionals, with clear, step‑by‑step instructions you can follow with confidence.


 
1. Prioritize Production Follow‑Up to Secure On‑Time Delivery

After a two‑week holiday, the top priority is customer orders placed before the Spring Festival. Be sure to coordinate with factories immediately, follow up on production progress, and arrange shipments accordingly. Avoid delivery delays caused by the holiday—otherwise, you risk losing customer trust and triggering disputes.
 
2. Monitor Outstanding Orders and Synchronize Progress to Avoid Delays

In addition to new pre‑holiday orders, promptly liaise with production, logistics, and other relevant departments regarding unfinished orders to share the latest updates. Anticipate and resolve any potential delays proactively, rather than waiting for customers to inquire. Proactive follow‑up demonstrates professionalism.
 
3. Update Reopening Information and Proactively Reach Out to Customers

The first task after resuming work is to share your reopening details widely: update your official website, send a formal reopening email to all customers, clearly state your return‑to‑work date, and briefly mention your company’s latest developments to reassure them. Don’t forget social media—post content about your team’s Spring Festival activities and corporate culture. This boosts engagement and visibility while letting customers feel your company’s humanistic care.
 
Email Template (Ready to Use):
Dear customers, the Spring Festival holiday has concluded. We are pleased to announce that our company officially resumed business on [25th Feb 2026]. We sincerely appreciate your trust and support over the past year.
 
4. Process Backlogged Holiday Emails Promptly

You will undoubtedly have a backlog of customer emails from the holiday. Be sure to process them all on your first day back. Most will involve product inquiries, order status checks, and cooperation discussions. Follow this rule: emails from customers with confirmed orders take the highest priority.
 
For orders requiring product modifications, confirm details with colleagues before responding to avoid errors. If you fail to reply to an important email on time, apologize first and explain the delay:
Dear [Customer's Name], Sorry for my late reply. As we just returned from the Spring Festival holiday today, I have only just seen your message. Please accept my sincere apology. We are now handling your request and will keep you updated on progress.
 
5. Update Customer Order Information for Proactive Transparency

Keep customers fully informed of order status, including production progress, shipping dates, and logistics details. Notify them immediately of any changes.
 
Early Shipment Template:
Dear Mr./Ms. [Customer's Name], we are glad to inform you that production of your order is ahead of schedule, and it will be shipped on [new date].
 
Delayed Shipment Template:
Dear Mr./Ms. [Customer's Name], we sincerely apologize that your order shipment will be delayed. Due to the Spring Festival holiday, the production schedule has been affected. We are accelerating production and guarantee shipment by [new date] at the latest. We will update you daily on production progress. Thank you for your understanding and patience.
 
6. Assess Factory Capacity and Allocate Orders Reasonably

After reopening, confirm the factory’s actual production status: staffing levels, equipment debugging, and lead times all take time. With multiple colleagues managing pending orders, strong coordination and communication are essential. Allocate resources based on order urgency and factory capacity, and create a detailed production schedule to avoid neglecting any priorities.
 
7. Arrange Shipments Timely and Complete Preparations

For finished goods, arrange shipment without delay. Communicate with your freight forwarder in advance to book space and prepare all customs documentation fully. Avoid delays caused by limited container space or missing paperwork, which harm the customer experience.
 
8. Track Payment Receipt to Safeguard Cash Flow

Verify receipt of all pre‑holiday customer payments one by one. Create a payment tracking sheet to record and monitor each transaction. For overdue payments, proactively communicate with customers to understand the reason. Maintain a professional and polite tone during collection—protect cash flow without damaging customer relationships.
 
9. Set Personal Goals and Plan for Annual Growth

Beyond daily tasks, set clear personal objectives: short‑term sales targets, customer service improvement plans, or long‑term career development goals. Review progress regularly and adjust as needed. Reflect on your performance over the past year, identify strengths and weaknesses, plan new learning objectives, eliminate unproductive work and living habits, adjust your mindset, and face the year’s challenges with full energy.
 
You don’t need to rush for instant results in the early return‑to‑work stage. Follow the steps above methodically, gradually regain your working rhythm, and take steady, solid steps. Your foreign trade orders will surely grow stronger throughout the new year!