How Chinese New Year It Impacts Your Import Business from China to Nigeria

For Nigerian entrepreneurs and small businesses that import goods from China, Proc360 offers an all-in-one solution that handles sourcing, procurement, and shipping, making the import process seamless. However, even with such support, there's one annual event that significantly impacts all China-based supply chains: Chinese New Year.

What is Chinese New Year and When is it in 2025?

Chinese New Year, also known as Spring Festival or Lunar New Year, is China's most important traditional holiday. Unlike the fixed January 1st date of the Western New Year, Chinese New Year follows the lunar calendar, falling on different dates each year.

Chinese New Year 2025 will begin on January 29th, celebrating the Year of the Snake. The official public holiday typically lasts for 7 days, but the actual impact on business operations extends much longer.

Strategic Planning for Nigerian Importers

To minimize disruption to your business, consider these strategies:

1. Plan Orders Well in Advance

• For spring/summer inventory, place orders by November at the latest

• Start supplier sourcing 6 months before CNY if you're developing new products

• Calculate backward from your inventory needs, considering the extended timelines

2. Adjust Inventory Management

• Increase safety stock levels before the holiday period

• Prioritize fast-moving items for pre-CNY orders

• Consider alternative sourcing for critical items

3. Communicate with Customers

• Set realistic expectations about potential delays

• Consider running promotions on in-stock items during this period

• Develop contingency plans for late shipments

4. Be Wary of Scams

Unfortunately, the Chinese New Year period sees an increase in business scams:

• Some struggling factories may close permanently after CNY

• Desperate suppliers might take orders they can't fulfill

• Payment frauds increase as companies try to generate cash before closing

• Quality may be compromised as factories rush to complete orders

How Proc360 Can Help Navigate Chinese New Year Challenges

Working with a specialized service like Proc360 can significantly reduce the stress and disruption caused by Chinese New Year:

1. Supplier Verification: Proc360 works with reliable suppliers, reducing the risk of scams or permanent closures.
   
   

2. Consolidated Shipping: Their consolidation services help maximize shipping efficiency during the congested pre-holiday period.
   
   

3. Alternative Shipping Routes: Proc360 can help identify the best shipping options when traditional routes are congested.
   
   

4. Quality Control: Their thorough quality inspection processes are particularly valuable during the error-prone post-holiday production period.
   
   

Transparent Communication: Proc360 keeps you informed throughout the process, providing realistic timelines and updates on your orders.

Chinese New Year Shutdown 2025: Timeline and Impact

The effects of Chinese New Year aren't limited to just the official holiday week. For importers, it's crucial to understand the three phases that affect your business:

Phase 1: Pre-Holiday Slowdown (Early January to January 28th, 2025)

Many factories begin winding down operations weeks before the official holiday:

• Production capacity decreases as workers gradually leave to travel home

• By mid-January, some smaller factories stop accepting new orders entirely

• Quality control becomes more challenging as experienced workers depart

• Suppliers become reluctant to quote prices due to expected post-holiday increases

Phase 2: Complete Shutdown (January 29th to February 7th, 2025)

During the official holiday period:

• All factories close completely

• No production takes place

• Shipping and logistics operations are severely limited

• Communication with suppliers becomes difficult or impossible

Phase 3: Gradual Recovery (February 8th to late March 2025)

This is often the most frustrating phase for importers:

• Factories reopen but don't immediately resume full production

• Many workers (30-40%) don't return to their previous jobs

• New staff must be hired and trained

• Pre-holiday orders are prioritized before new orders

• Quality issues increase significantly due to new, inexperienced workers

How Does Chinese New Year Affect Shipping and Logistics?

Does Chinese New Year Delay Shipping?

Absolutely yes. Chinese New Year causes substantial shipping delays through multiple channels:

1. Pre-holiday shipping surge: In January, there's a massive rush to ship orders before factories close, creating congestion

2. Reduced port operations: Ports and customs offices operate with skeleton crews during the holiday

3. Shipping container shortages: The pre-holiday export rush creates imbalances in container availability

4. Backlog clearance: After the holiday, it takes weeks to clear the shipping backlog

5. Air freight congestion: Many importers switch to air freight to beat deadlines, causing capacity constraints and rate increases

Impact on Supply Chain Management

Chinese New Year disrupts the entire supply chain:

• Raw material shortages: Suppliers may run out of materials before the holiday and face delays restocking afterward

• Increased lead times: Production lead times can double or triple during this period

• Price fluctuations: Many suppliers increase prices after the holiday due to rising labor and material costs

• Quality control challenges: The post-holiday period sees significantly more defects and quality issues

How Chinese New Year Affects Online Platforms

Does Chinese New Year Affect AliExpress?

Yes, AliExpress and other e-commerce platforms are significantly impacted:

• Extended processing times: Orders placed from early January may take much longer to process

• Automatic extensions: Most platforms automatically extend processing times during this period

• Limited customer service: Response times from sellers increase dramatically

• AliExpress Chinese New Year warnings: The platform usually posts notices warning buyers about expected delays

• Limited selection: Some sellers remove listings or mark items as out of stock during this period

Conclusion

Chinese New Year significantly impacts every aspect of importing from China to Nigeria, from production and quality control to shipping and logistics. The effects extend far beyond the official holiday dates, creating challenges from early January through late March.

By understanding these challenges and planning accordingly, Nigerian businesses can minimize disruptions and maintain steady inventory levels. Services like Proc360 offer valuable support during this challenging period, providing expertise in sourcing, procurement, and shipping that can help navigate the complexities of Chinese New Year.

Whether you're a seasoned importer or just starting your China sourcing journey, incorporating Chinese New Year into your annual planning cycle is essential for business success. With Proc360's comprehensive import solution handling