Nowruz Freight Planning: 2027 Calendar and Winter Guide

Nowruz freight planning means booking capacity before the holiday and expecting slower customs, banks and factories for up to two weeks. In 2027 the Persian New Year starts on Sunday, 21 March. Official holidays cover 21 to 24 March and 1 to 2 April, and winter snow can add delays on mountain roads.

This guide is for importers, agents and exporters who move goods to or from Iran. Good Nowruz freight planning starts months ahead. It shows the 2027 calendar, what closes, how to build a timeline, and how to handle snow and the harvest peak. Official calendars decide the final dates, so confirm them before you commit.

Nowruz freight planning: the 2027 calendar

The Iranian year begins at the March equinox. In 2027 the equinox falls at about 23:54 Tehran time on 20 March. Because that is after noon, the first day of Farvardin 1406 is 21 March.

Friday is the weekend in Iran, and many offices also close or shorten Thursday. In 2027 that can mean up to seven days off in a row, from 20 to 26 March. Some online calendars list the dates one day apart, so use the official Iranian calendar.

What slows down or closes during Nowruz

Official holidays are only part of the picture. Many people travel for the first two weeks of Farvardin, and business is slower than usual. Expect these effects:

• Factories and suppliers often close longer than the official days, so loading dates move.
• Banks follow the official holidays, so payments and document handling can wait.
• Customs offices may work with reduced or rotating staff. Confirm each office with your clearance agent or with Iran Customs (IRICA).
• Drivers are fewer, and queues can build before and after the holiday.

Nowruz is also observed in several neighbouring and Central Asian countries, so check both sides of the border. Past reports show that some crossings suspended trade for a few days at Nowruz, for example Haji Omaran in 2011. Practice changes from year to year. Please also confirm current trade, banking and insurance restrictions with your bank or legal adviser.

Nowruz freight planning: the weeks before the holiday

Many importers try to stock up before the holiday, so space and trucks tighten in Esfand, roughly 20 February to 20 March. Work backwards from 20 March with a simple timeline:

1. From early January: forecast volumes and reserve truck or container capacity.
2. From early February: finish invoices, packing lists and certificates, and check the HS codes.
3. Late February: hand over the last cargo that needs customs clearance on both sides.
4. Nowruz week: ship only urgent cargo, and agree a contact person for emergencies.
5. After the holiday: expect a backlog in the first days of Farvardin and add buffer time.

Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr fall in the weeks before Nowruz in 2027, so the quiet period may start earlier than you expect. For urgent items, our guide to air freight from Iran shows a faster option. Add the buffer to your delivery promise before you sign the sales contract.

Winter on the roads: snow and ice at mountain crossings

Winter planning matters as much as the holiday. Heavy snow can stop trucks at mountain crossings. In January 2025, media reported that about 20 cm of snow halted cargo trucks at a crossing between Sardasht and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. In February 2024, snow closed roads to 505 villages in Kurdistan Province. Mountain roads such as the Haraz road also see traffic restrictions in snow and rain.

You cannot remove this risk, but you can reduce it:

• Ask the carrier about winter tyres, chains and driver experience on mountain routes.
• Add buffer days to the schedule and avoid fixed delivery dates on the western and northern routes.
• Prepare an alternative crossing or mode. See our overview of Iran border crossings for trucks.
• For goods that must not freeze, ask whether a temperature-controlled trailer is needed.
• Follow official road and weather announcements while the truck is on the way.

Our road freight service covers international trucking, and the international freight page shows the other modes.

Harvest season and peak demand

Agricultural exports create their own peaks. Saffron flowers bloom in autumn, and pistachios ripen from late summer into autumn. Demand for trucks and refrigerated trailers rises when these crops move. Book earlier in those months and align packing and documents with the harvest. Read our guide to pistachio, saffron and dried fruit export logistics and our cold chain guide for details.

Royan Logistic is a Tehran-based logistics company that offers road, sea, rail and air freight with customs coordination. We suggest that you combine the harvest calendar, the Nowruz calendar and the winter forecast in one yearly plan. This is the core of seasonal Nowruz freight planning.

Frequently asked questions

When is Nowruz in 2027?

Nowruz 2027 starts on Sunday, 21 March, which is 1 Farvardin 1406. Official holidays run from 21 to 24 March, with more on 1 and 2 April. Confirm the dates in the official calendar.

Do customs offices work during Nowruz?

Official holidays apply, and some offices may run with reduced staff. Ask your clearance agent which office handles your cargo and when. Do not assume normal service.

How early should Nowruz freight planning start?

Start in early January for large volumes and hand over cargo that needs customs work by late February. Earlier is safer because trucks and space tighten in Esfand.

Can trucks cross borders in winter?

Yes, but heavy snow can stop traffic for hours or days on mountain routes. Add buffer time and keep an alternative plan ready.

Request a Nowruz freight plan

Tell us the goods, origin, destination and the date you need delivery through our quote form. We will help you build a calendar that covers Nowruz freight planning and winter risks. Check current customs rules with the relevant authority before you ship.

Updated: October 11, 2026