AliExpress Chinese New Year Ends on February 15, 2025

The AliExpress Chinese New Year celebration typically ends on the 15th day of the first lunar month, which falls on February 15, 2025. This date marks the conclusion of the traditional Lunar New Year festivities, also known as the Lantern Festival, and aligns with the broader cultural observance across China and many Asian communities worldwide. For shoppers tracking delivery timelines, customer service availability, or seasonal sales events on AliExpress, understanding when does AliExpress Chinese New Year ends is crucial for planning purchases and managing expectations during this annual holiday period.

Understanding the Chinese New Year Calendar and Its Impact on AliExpress

Chinese New Year, also referred to as Spring Festival, follows the lunar calendar and begins on the first day of the first lunar month. In 2025, it starts on January 29, making the festival last for 15 days, culminating in the Lantern Festival on February 15. While the official public holiday in China usually lasts seven days (from January 29 to February 4), many businesses—including e-commerce platforms like AliExpress—experience extended slowdowns due to factory closures, logistics delays, and reduced staffing.

Although AliExpress remains operational throughout the season, its operations are affected by the broader supply chain disruptions associated with the holiday. Sellers based in China often suspend order processing, and shipping times increase significantly. Therefore, even though there isn’t a formal 'shutdown' of AliExpress, the platform’s functionality enters what users commonly refer to as the 'Chinese New Year break.' This period effectively ends around February 15, when most suppliers and couriers resume normal operations.

Why February 15 Marks the End of the Celebration

The 15th day of the lunar new year is traditionally celebrated as the Lantern Festival (Yuánxiāo Jié), symbolizing the first full moon of the year and the official close of the New Year season. Families gather to light lanterns, solve riddles written on them, and eat tangyuan (glutinous rice balls), representing unity and completeness. Culturally, this day signals a return to routine, including work and commerce.

For global marketplaces like AliExpress, this cultural milestone serves as a practical benchmark for resuming regular business cycles. By mid-February, most Chinese manufacturers, warehouses, and shipping agents have reopened, allowing orders placed after February 10–15 to be processed more reliably. Thus, while when does AliExpress Chinese New Year ends may not correspond to an official company announcement, the de facto end aligns with this traditional timeline.

How AliExpress Operations Are Affected During Chinese New Year

During the Lunar New Year period, several aspects of AliExpress shopping are impacted:

• Order Processing Delays: Many sellers take time off starting a few days before the holiday. Orders may not be shipped until after February 5–7.
• Extended Shipping Times: Even if an item ships before the break, cross-border logistics face bottlenecks due to reduced air freight capacity and customs staffing.
• Limited Customer Support: Response times from sellers and AliExpress support teams slow down significantly between January 29 and February 10.
• Sales Promotions: AliExpress often runs special 'Chinese New Year Sale' events leading up to the holiday, but these typically conclude by January 31.

It's important to note that AliExpress itself does not shut down. However, because the platform relies heavily on third-party Chinese vendors and domestic logistics networks, user experience mirrors the national holiday rhythm.

Regional Differences in Holiday Observance

While mainland China observes a seven-day statutory holiday (January 29 – February 4, 2025), regional variations exist:

Region	Holiday Duration	Impact on AliExpress Sellers
Mainland China	Jan 29 – Feb 4 (official)	High impact; most factories/sellers closed
Hong Kong & Macau	3–4 days (lunar 1st–3rd)	Minimal impact; some local sellers active
Taiwan	Feb 1–5, 2025	Moderate disruption
Southeast Asia (e.g., Malaysia, Singapore)	1–2 public holidays	Low impact; diaspora celebrations only

These differences mean that not all AliExpress sellers pause operations simultaneously. International sellers outside China may continue fulfilling orders normally. Shoppers can filter results by location ('Ship From') to find items likely to dispatch faster during the holiday window.

Common Misconceptions About AliExpress During Chinese New Year

Several myths persist about how the holiday affects shopping on AliExpress:

1. Misconception: AliExpress shuts down completely during Chinese New Year.
   Reality: The site remains open, but seller activity drops sharply.
2. Misconception: All deliveries stop for two weeks.
   Reality: Some express shipping options (like ePacket or Cainiao Super Economy) still move, albeit slower.
3. Misconception: Refunds or disputes cannot be filed during the holiday.
   Reality: Buyer protections remain active, though resolution times may extend beyond standard windows.
4. Misconception: The AliExpress Chinese New Year ends on February 4.
   Reality: While the official workweek resumes then, full operational recovery takes about 10–12 days post-holiday.

How to Prepare for Shopping Around Chinese New Year on AliExpress

To avoid disappointment or delays, consider the following tips if you're purchasing from AliExpress near the Lunar New Year:

• Place Orders Early: Finalize any urgent purchases at least two weeks before January 29 to ensure pre-holiday dispatch.
• Check Seller Status: Look for online indicators next to seller names. Those marked 'Online' or with fast response rates are more likely to process orders promptly.
• Select International Warehouses: Choose items fulfilled from AliExpress’ overseas hubs (Spain, Poland, USA) to bypass Chinese-origin delays.
• Use Express Shipping: Opt for premium services like FedEx or DHL if available, despite higher costs.
• Monitor Tracking Closely: After February 10, track shipments daily. Most delayed packages begin moving again in the second half of February.
• Contact Support Strategically: If an order hasn’t updated by February 15, initiate a chat or dispute—this is a reasonable threshold for concern.

Verifying When AliExpress Chinese New Year Ends Each Year

Since exact resumption dates vary slightly depending on the lunar calendar and annual government announcements, here’s how to verify the schedule for future years:

1. Consult Official Chinese Holiday Calendars: Search for “China public holiday schedule [year]” to find confirmed start and end dates for the Spring Festival break.
2. Review AliExpress Announcements: Visit the AliExpress Newsroom or Seller Center in late December or early January for updates on holiday operations.
3. Follow Logistics Updates: Major carriers like Cainiao Network often publish advisory notices ahead of the season.
4. Use Historical Patterns: As a rule of thumb, assume that full AliExpress operations resume approximately 15–17 days after the Lunar New Year begins.

For example:

• 2026: Chinese New Year begins February 17 → Expected full recovery by March 4
• 2027: Begins February 6 → Normal operations likely by February 21

Conclusion: When Does AliExpress Chinese New Year End?

To directly answer the question when does AliExpress Chinese New Year ends: the functional end occurs on February 15, 2025, coinciding with the Lantern Festival and the traditional close of Lunar New Year celebrations. While some sellers may resume earlier, widespread normalization of order processing, shipping, and customer service typically stabilizes by this date. Shoppers should plan accordingly, placing time-sensitive orders well in advance and monitoring post-holiday tracking updates closely. Understanding this annual cycle helps global consumers navigate one of the largest e-commerce platforms more effectively each year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does AliExpress close during Chinese New Year?

No, AliExpress remains open, but most Chinese-based sellers pause operations from January 29 to mid-February, causing delays in shipping and support.

When do AliExpress sellers come back from holiday?

Most sellers resume operations between February 5 and February 15, with full recovery by February 15, 2025.

Will my AliExpress order be delayed during Chinese New Year?

Yes, orders placed between mid-January and early February often experience 1–3 week delays in processing and delivery.

Can I get refunds during the Chinese New Year break?

Yes, buyer protection policies remain active, but response times from sellers may be slower than usual.

What is the best time to shop on AliExpress after Chinese New Year?

The optimal time is after February 15, when most sellers have returned and logistics networks are fully operational.