Chinese New Year (Spring Festival) — US gifts for family abroad.
Lunar New Year is the most-celebrated holiday for Chinese diaspora worldwide and increasingly across Korea (Seollal), Vietnam (Tết), Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. For US-based families with relatives overseas — or for diaspora communities buying US-only Lunar New Year limited edition items — Selectido ships in time for the celebration. Chinese New Year 2026 falls on February 17, 2026 (Year of the Horse).
The US-only Chinese New Year category
Several major US brands release Lunar New Year limited edition items annually that are sold only in the US (often only at Target, Walmart, or specific specialty retailers):
- Starbucks LNY mugs and tumblers — annual collectibles, often US-exclusive designs.
- Stanley Quencher LNY colors — typically red/gold or zodiac-themed colorways released January.
- Coach & Michael Kors LNY collections — bags and accessories with subtle zodiac motifs.
- Apple AirPods Pro engraved with year animal — Apple does annual LNY engraving promotions.
- Funko Pop LNY exclusives — collectible figures with year-animal themes.
- LEGO Lunar New Year sets — annual themed sets often US/CN exclusive.
- Hershey's Kisses LNY-themed bulk packs — red foil with year-of designs.
- M&Ms LNY personalized — US M&Ms factory does LNY personalization.
Top CNY gift categories shipped via Selectido
Shipping deadlines for CNY 2026
CNY 2026: February 17. To arrive 1 week before:
- Singapore / Hong Kong / Taiwan: Order by Feb 4 (DHL Express 3-5 days).
- Mainland China: Order by Jan 28 (UPS/DHL 5-8 days + 3-5 days customs).
- Korea (Seollal): Order by Feb 4 (FedEx Priority 4-6 days).
- Vietnam (Tết): Order by Feb 1 (DHL 7-10 days + 2-3 days customs).
- Philippines: Order by Feb 3 (DHL 5-7 days + 2-3 days customs).
- Malaysia / Indonesia: Order by Feb 3 (DHL/FedEx 5-8 days).
- Japan (LNY less celebrated but expats): Order by Feb 5 (FedEx Priority 4-6 days).
The customs reality for shipments to mainland China
Shipping into mainland China is the trickiest LNY destination. China customs (CIQ) is meticulous; personal-import threshold is RMB 1000 (~$140) duty-free, but enforcement is unpredictable. For high-value LNY gifts to China (Apple products, Coach bags), expect:
- Duty + VAT of 13-30% on amount over RMB 1000.
- Possible inspection holds of 5-15 days.
- Required Chinese ID number on customs declaration.
For smaller LNY gifts (Hershey's Kisses bulk, Trader Joe's tea, Stanley tumbler), shipments under RMB 1000 typically clear in 3-7 days. We optimize shipment value for fastest clearance.
The "red envelope" digital alternative
Traditional CNY red envelope (红包 / hongbao) gifts are cash. For digital-age red envelope alternatives, US shoppers often send Apple Pay Cash to family. Or — better gift — physical items that look like red envelope tokens: Hershey's LNY red-foil bulk packs, M&Ms personalized in red+gold, Stanley LNY red tumbler. Selectido bundles these into a single shipment for cousins/nephews to receive as physical LNY tokens.