U.S. importers shipping from China have another reason to review their freight plans before Golden Week.
Drewry reported on September 17 that its World Container Index increased 1% to $4,500 per 40-foot container.
But rates on major China-to-U.S. routes increased much faster.
The Shanghai-to-Los Angeles rate rose 5% to $7,712, while Shanghai-to-New York increased 7% to $10,394.
At the same time, carriers are removing capacity from the market. Drewry reported that nine trans-Pacific blank sailings are scheduled for next week.
For importers, this creates a difficult combination:
Higher freight rates.
Fewer available sailings.
More competition for vessel space.
And greater risk of shipments arriving later than planned.
With China’s National Day Golden Week holiday running from October 1 through October 7, importers with cargo scheduled for late September or October should review their plans now.
Why Golden Week Matters to Importers
Golden Week affects international shipping every year because many factories and businesses in China close or reduce operations during the holiday.
Before the holiday begins, suppliers often rush to finish production, and exporters try to move cargo out of China.
This can create a short-term surge in shipping demand.
Carriers also adjust their schedules when they expect demand to fall during and immediately after the holiday.
That often leads to blank sailings.
A blank sailing simply means a carrier cancels a scheduled voyage.
For an importer, however, the consequences can be significant.
Cargo may be moved to another vessel.
A container may leave several days or even a week later than expected.
Inventory may arrive after a promotion, production deadline, or customer commitment.
The problem is not simply paying more for freight.
The larger risk is losing control of inventory timing.
Trans-Pacific Capacity Is Getting Tighter
Carriers have already announced schedule adjustments around Golden Week.
Drewry expects dozens of blank sailings across major East-West shipping routes during the weeks surrounding the holiday, with a significant portion affecting the trans-Pacific trade.
Major carriers, including MSC, Hapag-Lloyd, and Maersk, have also announced changes to Asia-to-North America schedules.
This does not mean every importer will experience delays.
But it does mean companies should not assume that the sailing they planned to use will still have space available when their cargo is ready.
What Importers Should Do Now
The first step is to identify which shipments are most important.
Not every container needs the same level of urgency.
Inventory connected to customer orders, seasonal promotions, production requirements, or products already running low should receive priority.
More flexible inventory may be able to wait for a later sailing.
Importers should also confirm cargo-ready dates with their suppliers.
A shipment that finishes production three days late could miss its planned vessel and face a much longer delay if the next sailing is cancelled or already full.
Reconsider West Coast Versus East Coast Routing
Current freight rates also make it worth comparing different U.S. gateways.
Drewry reported Shanghai-to-Los Angeles at $7,712 per 40-foot container, compared with $10,394 from Shanghai to New York.
That does not automatically mean the West Coast is cheaper.
Importers still need to consider inland trucking or rail costs, transit time, warehouse location, and customer delivery requirements.
The correct question is not:
Which ocean freight rate is cheapest?
It is:
Which route gets our inventory where it needs to go at the best total cost and acceptable level of risk?
This is where a routing review can be valuable.
Anton Tombu, Business Development Director at XCT Logistics, can help importers compare West Coast and East Coast options, available vessel space, spot versus contracted pricing, and expected arrival timing.
Review Spot and Contract Rates
Importers using contract rates should confirm whether their agreements actually guarantee the space they need during this period.
Those using the spot market should be careful about choosing a booking based only on the lowest price.
A cheaper freight rate may not be cheaper if the container rolls to another vessel and inventory arrives a week late.
Service reliability matters.
So does communication.
During periods when capacity is changing quickly, importers need to know what options are actually available—not simply what rate appears on a quote.
Do Not Forget the U.S. Warehouse
Another common mistake is focusing entirely on getting cargo out of China.
Some companies may decide to ship earlier to avoid Golden Week disruption.
That can be smart.
But pulling several containers forward can create another problem when they arrive in the United States.
Before accelerating shipments, confirm that warehouses can receive the inventory.
Review receiving appointments, storage space, drayage capacity, and fulfillment requirements.
The goal is not simply to move the container across the ocean.
The goal is to keep inventory moving smoothly from the factory to the customer.
The Bigger Lesson
Golden Week is another reminder that freight decisions cannot be based on price alone.
A container rate matters.
But so do vessel space, transit time, routing, inventory availability, and warehouse capacity.
For importers, the best response is not to panic.
It is to identify critical shipments, confirm production dates, review sailing options, and understand the true cost of different routes.
Companies with China or Asia cargo scheduled to move over the next several weeks should make those decisions before capacity becomes even tighter.
Before your next shipment leaves Asia, consider reviewing your freight plan with Anton Tombu, Business Development Director at XCT Logistics.
Request a Pre-Golden Week Freight and Routing Review
If you have shipments scheduled for late September or October, a short review can help identify potential capacity problems, compare routing options and determine which shipments should receive priority.
Schedule a confidential consultation with Anton Tombu, Business Development Director at XCT Logistics, before your next shipment leaves Asia.
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