Don’t Play the Guessing Game:
Beat Tariffs and Chinese New Year with CRATIV
How to Stay Stocked, Stable, and Ahead of the Chaos
Stop Guessing. Start Planning.
If you’re sourcing cannabis packaging from Asia, you’re staring down a double whammy: tariff volatility and Chinese New Year shutdowns. Both can wreak havoc on your cost, timing, and inventory—often with little warning.
The good news? You don’t have to play the guessing game anymore.
CRATIV’s U.S. and Canada-based manufacturing eliminates tariff surprises, factory shutdowns, and long transit times—giving you reliability, control, and peace of mind.
Quick Take: What to Do Right Now
Fastest, lowest-risk move: Route your packaging through CRATIV U.S./Canada to bypass Chinese New Year closures and remove tariff exposure altogether.
If you must source from Asia, here’s the smart play:
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Lock in production and freight before early December.
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Keep a CRATIV domestic backup ready for emergencies.
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Remember: tariffs are applied when goods enter the U.S., not when you place the PO. A rate change mid-voyage can instantly spike your landed cost.
Tariffs Today: The Numbers Behind the Uncertainty
As of November 10, 2025, U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods remain volatile:
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Baseline reciprocal tariff: 10%
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Fentanyl-related imports: reduced from 20% → 10%
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Suspended 34% reciprocal tariff: remains at 10% until November 10, 2026
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Section 301 tariffs: up to 25% on specific goods
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Steel and other materials: may face rates as high as 50%
For cannabis packaging importers—especially those using China-made plastics, tins, closures, and printed materials—these constant changes make forecasting nearly impossible.
Distributors are struggling to:
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Predict landed costs amid shifting duty rates
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Maintain pricing for retail partners
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Secure reliable delivery windows
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Manage margins while juggling freight and tariff swings
It’s no surprise many are now turning to North American manufacturing for cost and supply chain certainty.
Why U.S. and Canada Manufacturing Is the Smart Move
The new era of “Made Local” packaging isn’t just patriotic—it’s practical.
With CRATIV’s U.S. and Canada production, you get:
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Pricing stability: No tariff shocks or currency swings
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Supply chain certainty: No port congestion or CNY shutdowns
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Rapid response: Lead times in weeks, not months
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Local support: A real team that knows your brand and can respond same-day
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Flexibility: Quickly scale or pivot when volume or SKUs shift
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Quality assurance: Controlled, validated manufacturing you can trust
It’s not just manufacturing—it’s partnership.
Chinese New Year: What to Expect (and When)
CNY typically hits from late January through February, shutting factories for up to 3 weeks and disrupting supply for 6–8+ weeks total when ramp-downs and restarts are factored in.
Key CNY Timing Windows
| Phase | Timing | What Happens |
|---|---|---|
| Early December | 8-10 weeks before CNY | Last chance to secure production and freight |
| Mid-Dec to Early Jan | 4-8 weeks | Rates surge, partial completions common |
| CNY Weeks (Late Jan–Feb) | Factories closed | Backlogs and congestion |
| Post-CNY (Feb–Mar) | 2-4 weeks after reopening | Slow restarts and delayed shipments |
The Perfect Storm
Combine those closures with tariff changes, and you get:
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Price uncertainty
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Extended transit times
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Supply blackouts
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Disrupted product launches
The CRATIV Solution: Reliability Without the Risk
With CRATIV North American production, you can:
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Bypass CNY closures completely
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Eliminate tariff volatility
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Shorten lead times to weeks, not months
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Respond quickly to changing forecasts or retail opportunities
Bottom line: If predictability matters, CRATIV gives you the control global sourcing can’t.
For Those Still Buying from Asia: Run Two Paths in Parallel
If you’re maintaining overseas production, use this dual-path strategy:
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Dual-source top SKUs – Keep Asia for cost efficiency, but backstop with CRATIV for responsiveness.
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Plan early – Place final Asia POs by early December.
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Stress-test tariff scenarios – Quote base + duty rate fluctuations.
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Protect quality – Inspect pre- and post-CNY production lots.
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Hold weekly S&OP meetings – Monitor orders and pivot to CRATIV if risk spikes.
Your Quick CNY Checklist
| Timeline | Action |
|---|---|
| Now → Early Dec | Finalize SKUs, place POs, and reserve logistics space |
| Mid-Dec → Early Jan | Confirm production and lock freight |
| Mid-Jan → Feb (CNY) | Buffer inventory, monitor ETAs, and pivot to CRATIV if needed |
| Post-CNY (Feb → Mar) | Inspect first shipments and rebalance stock |
FAQ
Should I buy heavy before CNY?
Maybe—but only if your tariff exposure is locked in. A CRATIV domestic bridge may protect cash and service better than over-ordering.
Are premium freight options worth it?
Sometimes, but compare the landed cost against CRATIV U.S./Canada production – you might get faster delivery and avoid tariff risk.
CRATIV Can Help
If you’re planning Q4 or Q1 promotions—or bracing for tariff updates and CNY disruptions—let’s review your plan before it’s too late.
We’ll provide:
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A 30-minute risk assessment
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Cost comparison (Asia vs. CRATIV)
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Customized mitigation timeline
Don’t play the guessing game this CNY.
Join CRATIV Packaging your trusted partner for reliable, compliant, North American packaging.
