Freight prices are constantly changing.
But THERE IS a cycle to them.
I wish someone had explained this to me when starting out.
Here’s how prices change throughout the year
January - February
Chinese New Year (CNY) is the biggest planned disruption to shipping every year.
Demand and rates climb in early January as companies rush to get shipments out before the CNY shutdown.
In late January to Mid-Feb factories shutdown for CNY; nothing gets shipped.
Then in February to early March rates stay high to push out the backlog of orders from the shutdown.
Try to get quotes for January shipments before January for chances of getting a better price.
March - June
Spring is a quiet period.
Rates are usually stable.
Should be cheaper than pre/post CNY rates.
Of course, if a ship gets stuck in a canal or hits a bridge… rates will increase.
July - October
Peak Season baby.
Companies are preparing shipments for:
- Back to school
- Halloween
- Thanksgiving
- Christmas
Rates start to climb in July. Peak prices reached in August/September.
Remember that Oct 1 - 7 is…
The Golden Week in China.
Factories shut down for this.
Similar to CNY, rates are higher the weeks before & after the holiday.
Prices start to decline again in late October/early November.
But goods shipped by ocean in late October won’t make it in time for the holidays. (i.e. don’t try to save money by shipping then)
November - December
Quiet period.
Most holiday shipments have already been sent. (well, hopefully, or they ain’t making it for Christmams).
Mid November to the end of December rates stabilize.
Then in January rates increase since CNY is around the corner.
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P.S.S. Haven’t sent a newsletter in a while. I’ve been on holiday in Spain! During my trip I read Feel Good Productivity by Ali Abdaal. Here’s a thread where I summarize what I learned from the book:
