From mid-January to early February, Chinese factories, OSATs and logistics all slow down: lines close, customs clearance drags, and freight space tightens. For overseas buyers, an order placed after the holiday typically arrives three to five weeks later than planned.
Work backwards: if the line needs the material by the end of January, the last reliable order date is mid-November. Allowing two weeks each for production and transport, the PO should actually go out by late October or early November.
Lay out your Q1 production plan now and split it into “must arrive before the holiday” and “acceptable after”. Quote and reserve the first group immediately. Hangtong holds stock and in-transit material in Shenzhen and Hong Kong, so these orders can be prioritised by delivery date rather than by price alone.