Tomorrow is Chinese New Year’s Day and the official start to the two week celebration that pauses export production in the country, due to most of its factories and businesses being closed for the fortnight.

Celebrations then continue until the Lantern Festival on February 12th, even though the official public holiday only extends until February 4th.

The incoming Year of the Snake will replace the outgoing Year of the Dragon tomorrow. If you were born in a snake year then according to Chinese tradition, you will likely be wise, intuitive and transformative, but may also be secretive and jealous.

Distance is no barrier for Chinese nationals around the world, as millions make the journey home to be with family during the celebrations. The period before and after Chinese New Year sees the biggest migration of people on the planet.

Traditions include the extensive cleaning of homes to scare off bad spirits, and then the decoration of them with red lanterns to bring the good luck in. Parades adorn the streets of China’s towns and cities, with dancers and brightly coloured dragons at their centre.

From a freight and transport perspective, the two week period is major go-slow for logistical movements, and it takes a few weeks for export production to get back up to speed after the holiday. Therefore, demand for ocean and air freight is often slow following Chinese New Year and carriers tend to blank several sailings.

As the Chinese may say – Gong hei fat choy!