Most of the issues with tableware are around lead times. The tableware is great but may be too late for a soft opening, peak season, or when the factory is shut for holidays. The easiest way around this issue is to know the lead time of your tableware.
This guide is a backwards calculation from 2027 so you can get an idea of how long each order should take. It gives you an idea of what dates are affected by what calendar events and when to order your tableware for each season. Two of those events occur within a few days of each other in 2027, making timing very important.
If you need the tableware at your property, count backwards from the date. For your first order, allow 90-120 days. Repeat orders allow 60-90 days. For exclusive glazes, branded programs and bespoke shapes, allow 6-9 months. Allow time for Chinese New Year (approx. 6th February 2027) and Ramadan (approx. 8th February 2027). Islamic dates will depend on the country and moon sightings. If you have an order for the first half of 2027, you need to order before mid-December 2026.
Table of Contents
How Long Does Hotel Tableware Take?
The lead time will depend on what kind of order you place. The ranges below are based on our own guides. We have a detailed guide to importing dinnerware from China that outlines the shipping process.
Order type | Typical time | What’s included |
Samples | 7 to 10 days | Standard samples ready for review before mass production |
First order | 90 to 120 days | A planning range from production start to delivery: production of 45 to 75 days, ocean freight of 14 to 30 days, and 5 to 14 days of customs and delivery. Sample approval comes first |
Repeat order | 60 to 90 days | The same steps, with the design and samples already approved |
Standard specification | 3 to 4 months before you need it | Production of 45 to 90 days, plus 2 to 4 weeks for freight and customs |
Exclusive glaze, branded program, or custom shape | 6 to 9 months | The whole program: design, sampling rounds, approvals, production scheduling, production, and shipping |
New hotel opening: planning | Start 12 to 18 months before opening | Choosing a supplier, testing samples, and fixing the specification |
New hotel opening: final order | 8 to 16 weeks from order to delivery | Production, delivery, and inspection once the order is placed |
Production time for custom dinnerware can be between 25-45 days after sample approval. This does not include design or shipping. Total time for the project, including design and sampling, can be 6-9 months. We also offer rush items for custom projects. (Please ask to confirm if we can do so on your order.) The quantity of specifications and openings required has been taken from our hotel tableware specifications and the new property opening checklist. The ocean and customs information has been taken from our import guide for the United States. The sailing time can be approx. 15-30 days between ports. Clearance times will be shorter. Please check with your forwarder.
Calendar Events That Move Your Dates
Some fixed dates will affect all of our suppliers. These dates are approximate for 2027, so please check.
Event | Approximate 2027 date | Effect on tableware orders |
Chinese New Year | 6 February | Factories commonly close for two to four weeks, and disruption can run from late January to early March |
Ramadan | Around 8 to 9 February to around 9 March | Hotels serving Middle Eastern markets add banquet and iftar demand |
Eid al-Fitr | Around 9 to 10 March | A peak for events and gatherings |
Eid al-Adha | Around 16 to 17 May | Another peak for family dining and events |
China’s National Day Golden Week | Around 1 to 7 October | Many factories close for several days, and shipping can slow |
Year-end holiday season | November to December | Peak demand for Western hotel and restaurant markets |
The dates of the Islamic holidays are approximate. They are dependent on the moon’s appearance and are subject to change in different countries, so check with your market on the dates when you can expect the moon to be visible. The Chinese New Year is on 6 February 2027, but the exact days of closure are generally only finalized late in the previous year, and differ by factory. Use 6 February as a guide date and request precise dates in good time from your supplier.
2027 Order-By Calendar
The first table is purely numerical. It is based on the number of calendar days it will take to count back from the date you need the tableware at your property: 120 days for first order, 90 days for repeat order, and 9 calendar months for custom or branded programs.
Need it by | First order (120 days) | Repeat order (90 days) | Custom or branded (9 calendar months) |
Ramadan, around 8 Feb 2027 | 11 Oct 2026 (passed) | 10 Nov 2026 | 8 May 2026 (passed) |
Eid al-Fitr, around 9 Mar 2027 | 9 Nov 2026 | 9 Dec 2026 | 9 Jun 2026 (passed) |
Spring events, 1 Apr 2027 | 2 Dec 2026 | 1 Jan 2027 | 1 Jul 2026 (passed) |
Eid al-Adha, around 16 May 2027 | 16 Jan 2027 | 15 Feb 2027 | 16 Aug 2026 (passed) |
Summer peak, 1 Jun 2027 | 1 Feb 2027 | 3 Mar 2027 | 1 Sep 2026 (passed) |
Autumn season, 1 Sep 2027 | 4 May 2027 | 3 Jun 2027 | 1 Dec 2026 |
Year-end season, 1 Nov 2027 | 4 Jul 2027 | 3 Aug 2027 | 1 Feb 2027 |
The second table also has a buffer period for Chinese New Year. There are some dates in January and February 2027 that have been calculated. The factories will be closed or coming back from their holidays, so it is better to order in advance.
Calculated date falls in | Recommended action |
Before mid-December 2026 | Order on the calculated date |
Mid-December 2026 to early March 2027 | Order before mid-December 2026, since orders placed shortly before or during Chinese New Year may face delays as factories close and gradually reopen |
After early March 2027 | Order on the calculated date, once capacity has returned |
If you need it delivered by 16th May 2027, it would be a first order on the 16th January. This is within the closure period, so we would recommend ordering before mid-December 2026. This would allow samples to be approved first. If you order in February, there may be a delay until March, as production will have stopped and your delivery date could be July.
Worked Example: 2,000 Dinner Plates by 1 June 2027
Here is how the calculation works for a real order. Suppose you need 2,000 dinner plates in a new design delivered to your property by 1 June 2027.
Step | What happens | Time |
1. Samples (before production starts) | Approve the design and a packed sample | 7 to 10 days, plus any extra rounds |
2. Production | The factory makes and inspects the order | 45 to 75 days |
3. Ocean freight | Cartons travel to the port nearest you | 14 to 30 days |
4. Customs and delivery | Clearance, then delivery to your warehouse | 5 to 14 days |
5. Buffer | Protects against delays and rework | 2 to 4 weeks |
Our dinnerware import guide plans on 90 to 120 days for a first order. This is a reasonable planning period from the start of production to delivery and not a hard limit. It does not include sample approvals and can be longer at the end of each stage, so we have included some buffer. If we work backwards from the 1st of June, we can see that we would be looking at the 1st of February 2027. This is within Chinese New Year, so we would recommend closing before mid-December 2026. Samples will be approved first, but the order could go into February. We could get back into production in March and deliver around July.
Why 2027 Is Tight: Chinese New Year and Ramadan Overlap
Chinese New Year in 2027 is on the 6th of February, with Ramadan around 2 days later. This will mean that factories will be closed during a period of high demand for banquet and iftar tableware. If you’re ordering based on last year’s calendar, you may get caught out!
Orders should be in production long before Ramadan begins. So realistically, you should place your orders by Autumn 2026. If you’re reading this after this date, you’ll need to use your current stock, complete any ongoing recurring orders, and put your order for Eid or spring in before mid-December.
Many hotels in this area offer bespoke core items, with a limited range of stock items to top up. We have written a guide on hotel catering tableware procurement in the Middle East which explains this method.
A Month-by-Month Planning Guide for 2027
Month | What to do |
October to November 2026 | Place urgent repeat orders for Ramadan and Eid, and confirm samples for new pieces |
December 2026 | Place spring and mid-year orders before factories fill up for Chinese New Year |
January 2027 | Avoid new first orders. Check stock levels, and confirm closure dates with your supplier |
February 2027 | Factories are closed or restarting, so rely on stock and orders already in production |
March 2027 | Capacity returns. Place summer and autumn repeat orders |
April to June 2027 | Place first orders for the autumn season and year-end events |
July to September 2027 | Place orders for the year-end holiday season, and start planning 2028 |
October 2027 | Review the year, count stock, and begin early-2028 orders before the autumn rush |
How to Build In a Buffer
Lead times are estimates, and things go wrong. Add a buffer to every date, and use the tools below to protect yourself.
Buffer | How it helps |
Add two to four weeks | Covers production delays, inspection rework, and port congestion |
Split the shipment | Sends the most urgent pieces first, so service can start on time |
Keep safety stock | Protects you if a reorder is late |
Confirm closure dates | Avoids surprises around Chinese New Year and Golden Week |
Approve samples early | Removes the longest delay before production starts |
Plan your quantities too. Our guide on how many plates a restaurant needs covers numbers per seat, and a first-year breakage buffer helps you avoid running short between orders.
What to Ask Your Supplier About Dates
Question | Why it matters |
What is your production time for my order size? | It sets the start of your countdown |
When does your factory close for Chinese New Year? | It tells you the last safe order date |
How long do samples take? | Sampling is often the first delay |
Can you offer rush production? | It gives you a fallback for urgent projects |
Will you confirm lead times in writing? | It gives you something to hold the schedule to |
How will the order be shipped and packed? | Shipping choices change the arrival date |
Use our procurement checklist to write dates into your specification, and our sample approval guide to plan the testing step.
Common Ordering Timeline Mistakes
The first is counting only production time. You can add weeks for shipping, customs, and delivery to the factory lead time.
The second is ordering after the holiday rush has begun. The factories fill up and the starting date slips.
The third one is to wait until the end to leave samples. If a sample requires a second round, it can cost weeks prior to production even starting.
The fourth is assuming repeat orders are instant. They are quicker, but they still have to be produced, shipped, and cleared.
How Brett Supports Your Ordering Plan
We make hotel and restaurant dinnerware and can provide production time for your order. Contact our staff and request the current availability of production and the dates we will be closed during Chinese New Year, and have them confirm in writing. If the project is time-sensitive, we can provide rush production services, subject to confirmation for your order. Our private label dinnerware guide provides information about private label programs’ production time. Test reports and compliance documentation for the products are available on request.
Frequently Asked Questions
How early should I order hotel tableware?
Expect a first order to arrive in 90-120 days, and a repeat order within 60-90 days. If you’re using exclusive glazes or a branded program, start 6 – 9 months in advance. If you want to plan a new hotel opening, then you should begin your planning 12 to 18 months before.
How long does it take to import dinnerware from China?
It takes approximately 90 to 120 days for the first shipment to the USA (45 to 75 days for production, 14 to 30 days for ocean freight, and 5 to 14 days for clearance and delivery). Other routes are available – check with your forwarder.
When is Chinese New Year in 2027, and how does it affect orders?
This occurs on or around 6 February 2027. Frequently, factories will close for 2 to 4 weeks, and order books fill up in the weeks before, so place orders for early-year deliveries before mid-December.
Should I order before Ramadan 2027?
The date of the beginning of the month of Ramadan is expected around 8 February 2027, just two days after Chinese New Year. Orders for Ramadan must be in production by the fall of 2026, so utilize existing inventory and complete repeat orders.
What lead time should I allow for custom branded tableware?
For exclusive glazes, branded programs, or fully custom shapes, our guides recommend a 6-9 month time period. This includes design, sampling rounds, and shipping. Production is quoted as 25-45 days from the sample being approved.
Can tableware production be rushed?
For urgent custom projects, we offer rush production options, subject to confirmation for your order. Ask what rush means in days, and whether it changes the price.
What buffer should I add to my delivery date?
Add 2-4 weeks, and more for peak seasons or Chinese New Year. The division of the shipment into urgent parts is also helpful.
What should a hotel order before the first opening?
Start supplier selection and sample testing 12 to 18 months before opening. The final tableware order then needs 8 to 16 weeks from order to delivery.
Conclusion
Good tableware planning starts with the delivery date and works backwards. Know your tableware lead time for each type of order, add a buffer, and mark the calendar events that close factories and fill order books.
Chinese New Year and Ramadan almost coincide in 2027, so early-year demand requires early action. Please make urgent repeat orders now; mid-year orders must be made before mid-December.
We supply hotel and restaurant dinnerware. Test reports and compliance documents are available on request. Reach our team at CBHORECA or WhatsApp +86 13535413512 to plan your next order and confirm current lead times.
