Sports Equipment: 3 Containers from China to Latvia
Chinese New Year shuts down factories for 2-3 weeks. Our client needed spring and summer sports goods in stores by March. The order was placed in November, factories confirmed February delivery - then Chinese New Year fell in late January, pushing factory restart to mid-February. The shipping window collapsed from 10 weeks to 4.
What happened
The retailer placed their order in November. Factories confirmed February delivery. Then Chinese New Year fell in late January - pushing factory restart to mid-February. The shipping window collapsed from 10 weeks to 4. Meanwhile, vessel bookings from Chinese ports spike after CNY because everyone ships at once. Stores needed stock by early March for season opening, and 3 containers from 2 factories were on different production schedules.
What made it difficult
- 1Chinese New Year factory shutdown from late January to mid-February - 2-3 weeks of zero production
- 2Compressed production schedule - some items not ready by the original shipping deadline
- 3Vessel bookings from Chinese ports spike after CNY - everyone ships at once, space is scarce
- 4Stores need stock by early March for season opening - missing the window means lost revenue for the entire spring
- 53 containers from 2 factories on different production schedules - one fast, one delayed by CNY
How we handled it
We split the shipment into two waves. 2 containers of finished goods shipped before Chinese New Year in January - the factory pushed production forward to meet the early deadline. The remaining 1 container shipped immediately after factory restart in mid-February. Vessel space for all three containers was pre-booked in November to guarantee slots during the post-CNY rush when everyone fights for capacity. First batch arrived in Riga early March. Second batch arrived late March - still in time for the season. The client had stock on shelves before competitors who waited for post-CNY production.
Result
Sports and tourism goods from China? Sea freight, customs, CE - all in one package. +371 22302054 / info@langino.lv