What's the Best Time to Import to Avoid Delays?

When you ship can matter as much as how you ship. Order at the wrong time and you run into factory shutdowns, full vessels, higher freight rates, congested ports and holiday closures, all at once. Order at the right time and the same shipment moves faster and costs less.

This guide explains the best time to import to avoid delays, with a practical shipping calendar for businesses importing into Nigeria.

Key takeaways

• Chinese New Year (6 February 2027) and Golden Week (1–7 October) disrupt China supply chains.
• Global peak season runs roughly July to November, with higher rates and tight space.
• Ship Christmas stock by sea so it leaves China by early September.
• March to June is often the smoothest window for Asian imports.

The big seasonal factors

Import timing is shaped by four things:

1. Origin country holidays and production cycles, especially in China.

2. Global shipping peak seasons, when demand for space rises.

3. Nigerian demand and port conditions, festive seasons, weather and congestion.

4. Policy and regulatory changes, new tariffs, levies and systems.

1. Chinese New Year (the biggest disruption)

Chinese New Year shuts down factories across China, often for two to four weeks. Workers travel home, and some do not return, slowing production for weeks afterwards.

• Chinese New Year 2027: Saturday, 6 February 2027.

What happens:

• Suppliers rush to finish orders in December and January.
• Freight rates often rise and space tightens in the weeks before the holiday.
• Production restarts slowly after the holiday.

What to do:

• Place orders for Q1 stock by October or November.
• Aim for goods to ship before mid-January.
• Expect delays for new orders placed in January.
• Plan for slower production until late February or March.

2. China's Golden Week

China's National Day holiday, 1–7 October, closes many factories and offices for a week.

What to do:

• Ship goods before the end of September, or plan for delays in early October.
• Watch for rate increases in September as shippers rush.

3. Global peak season (roughly July to November)

Retailers worldwide stock up for year-end sales, filling vessels and aircraft.

Effects:

• Higher freight rates and peak season surcharges.
• Rolled bookings, cargo bumped to later vessels.
• Tighter air cargo space.

What to do:

• Book space early.
• Build extra time into delivery plans.
• Consider shipping festive stock earlier than you think.

4. Nigeria's festive season rush

Demand for imported goods rises before Christmas and New Year, Easter and Eid celebrations. For December sales:

• Sea freight from China: goods should ideally leave China by early September to allow 50–75 days door to door.
• Air freight: book by mid-November, before cargo space tightens.
• Expect busier ports and roads in November and December.

Read how long to budget for door-to-door delivery.

5. Nigerian public holidays

Public holidays affect banks, agencies and some port activities. Plan around:

• Christmas and New Year (late December to early January).
• Easter (Good Friday and Easter Monday).
• Eid-el-Fitr and Eid-el-Kabir, dates follow the Islamic calendar and move each year.
• Workers' Day (1 May), Democracy Day (12 June) and Independence Day (1 October).
• Occasional additional holidays declared by government.

Avoid cargo arriving just before long holidays when duty payment and permit processing can slow.

6. Weather and road conditions

• Rainy season (roughly April to October in Lagos and the South): flooding and poor road conditions can slow haulage from ports and around warehouses.
• Harmattan (roughly December to February): dusty haze can disrupt flights, especially in northern Nigeria.

Build extra days into inland delivery during these periods.

7. Policy changes and system transitions

Nigerian trade rules change more often than many importers realise:

• Annual fiscal policy measures, the 2026 measures, signed on 1 April 2026, revised 127 tariff lines, with excise and green tax changes from 1 July 2026.
• Levy changes, such as the 4% FOB charge introduced and suspended in 2025.
• Digital system transitions, B'Odogwu, the National Single Window (Phase 1 from March 2026) and further phases.
• Programme deadlines, like the move from Fast Track to AEO on 1 February 2026.

What to do: ask your forwarder about pending changes before large orders, and avoid arrivals during major system cut-overs when possible.

8. Other origin-country holidays

• Europe: reduced activity in August and over Christmas.
• United States:Thanksgiving (late November) and Christmas.
• India:Diwali (October or November).
• Middle East and Turkey:Ramadan and Eid periods.

Import planning calendar at a glance

The best times to import overall

For many businesses importing from Asia into Nigeria, the smoothest windows are:

• March to June, after Chinese New Year recovery and before global peak season.
• Early September, for festive stock, before Golden Week and peak rates.

But the best time is always the one that fits your sales cycle with enough buffer.

Frequently asked questions

When is the cheapest time to ship from China to Nigeria?

Often in the months after Chinese New Year recovery (around March to June), before peak season demand builds, though rates depend on global market conditions.

When should I order Christmas stock from China?

For sea freight, place orders by mid-year so goods leave China by early September. For air freight, book by mid-November.

How long do Chinese New Year delays last?

Factory closures often last two to four weeks, with slower production for several weeks after.

Do Nigerian public holidays delay customs clearance?

They can slow banking, agency and administrative processes. Avoid arrivals just before long holidays.

Plan your shipping calendar with us

DE-BLINGS helps you plan imports around peak seasons, holidays and policy changes, so your stock arrives when your customers need it. Book a free consultation or explore our sea freight and air freight services.