Which Golden Week date should you follow?
China's National Day falls on 1 October each year, and Golden Week takes place in early October. The exact holiday period, adjusted working days and company closures can change. Check the current public-holiday calendar and obtain your supplier's own closing and reopening dates in writing.
Ask your supplier two questions: “When can the packed cargo be collected from your warehouse?” and “Who will hand it over?” Those answers turn a general readiness update into a collection plan that can actually be used.
Open China's current public-holiday calendar ↗How can air freight support your order at this time?
Time has commercial value when arrival affects production, stock availability or a commitment to your customer. Air freight can be particularly useful when priority goods are ready and the shipment details are clear. It may allow the part you need first to move without waiting for the entire order.
Flight time is not the same as door-to-door delivery time. Collection, export procedures, terminal acceptance, possible connections, customs and final delivery are separate parts of the plan. A sound quotation makes those stages visible and ties the final estimate to capacity and acceptance confirmation.
Four steps from a ready order to a flight plan
Establish what can actually be collected
Finished production is only the first checkpoint. Final packing, package count, gross weight, external dimensions and collection address must also be available. Mark estimates clearly; final approval is based on actual measurements.
Reconcile the invoice and packing list
The Commercial Invoice identifies the parties, goods, quantities and values. The Packing List shows how the goods are distributed across packages, with weights and dimensions. Descriptions and quantities should agree with the cargo that has been prepared.
Share special acceptance details early
Mention batteries, liquids, magnets, chemicals, temperature needs or unusual dimensions in the first conversation. Withholding these details does not save time; it delays assessment of the correct flight and acceptance option.
Coordinate collection and booking
The handover point, acceptance time, booking status and cut-off must appear in the same plan. A cut-off is the deadline for delivering cargo or documents for that departure; confirm the precise time for your own booking.
Details to prepare before requesting a quotation
01Origin city, collection address and the supplier's contact person
02Commodity description and confirmed or estimated readiness
03Package count, external dimensions of each package and total gross weight
04Available Commercial Invoice and Packing List
05Destination, priority goods and the time when you need them
06Batteries, liquids or other features that may affect acceptance
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Golden Week fall on the same dates every year?+
National Day is 1 October. The holiday period, adjusted working days and company closures can change, so check the current calendar and your supplier's schedule.
Can air freight be booked after the holiday begins?+
Flight options may still be assessed, but collection and acceptance depend on the supplier's operation, confirmed cargo details and available capacity. Sharing the information before closure allows more options to be considered.
Does air freight provide a guaranteed delivery date?+
A firm date cannot be given without booking and acceptance confirmation. Collection, terminal handling, flight, connections, customs and final delivery are assessed together to build an estimated plan.
Can I send only the priority part of my order by air?+
This can be assessed when the cargo can be split and the documents, handling costs and packed goods support it. Compare the commercial value of earlier arrival with the total cost of two shipments.
Calendar and operating sources
Check the holiday date against the current public calendar whenever you use this guide. The carrier notice below is a current industry example of wider logistics networks adjusting schedules around Golden Week; it is not evidence of an air-freight cancellation or available capacity for your shipment.