Anti-dumping

The survey aims to find out how the anti-dumping duties on Chinese components have presented challenges for many European manufacturers and assemblers. - Photo Shutterstock

European e-bike industry invited to participate in anti-dumping survey

GENT, Belgium - Trade association LEVA-EU is inviting e-bike manufacturers and assemblers across Europe to participate in a newly launched survey. The survey is designed to gather insights on the impact of European anti-dumping duties on bicycle components imported from China, aiming to provide a clearer understanding of how these tariffs affect the industry's competitiveness, business operations, and market growth.

The current review in the UK relates to all bicycles and components imported from China and consigned from Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Tunisia. – Photo Bike Europe

UK now also examining anti-dumping duties on bicycles from China

LONDON, UK - The anti-dumping duty on bicycles and bicycle parts from China in the UK is now also under review. Last May the British Trade Remedies Authority already advised to revoke the anti-dumping duties on China made e-bikes in a preliminary recommendation. In case the same would be suggested for bicycles, it would bring a lot of uncertainty in the UK.

The European Commission will conduct a 12- till 15-month long investigation to decide whether to extend the anti-dumping measures for another 5-year period. – Photo Shutterstock

Five more years of anti-dumping duties on bicycles? EU initiates...

BRUSSELS, Belgium - The European Commission launched an expiry review of the anti-dumping measures applicable to imports of bicycles from the People's Republic of China. For this review DG Trade will hold hearings, mail questionnaires to producers and visit companies. The request was submitted by the EBMA (European Bicycle Manufacturers Association) representing the bicycle industry in Europe.

The EPPO has seized assets in investigation into €9.8 million customs fraud involving e-bikes. – Photo EPPO

EPPO investigating more e-bike customs violations as assets seized in...

LUXEMBOURG, Luxembourg - A freezing order has been executed against an Italian company suspected of a major customs fraud involving the importation of e-bikes from China, the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) has announced. The company has been accused of evading more than €9.8 million in customs duties. This latest case raises questions about how complex it is to import e-bike components into the EU.

Sales of e-bikes in the UK reached an estimated £325 million (€385 million) in 2023 and are expected to grow further in the coming years. – Photo Bike Europe

UK considering revoking anti-dumping duties on Chinese e-bikes

LONDON, UK - Existing tariffs on e-bikes imported into the UK from China range from 18.8% to 79.3%. These measures were transitioned when the UK left the EU following Brexit. Following a period of investigation the Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) has now deemed that keeping anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures on Chinese e-bikes "would not be in economic interest of the UK" and should be revoked.

“Increasing tariffs on domestic importers and manufacturers without providing incentives to shift production from China  is unfair,'"  US trade organisation PeopleForBikes says. - Photo Shutterstock

US e-bike market threatened by 25% tariff on lithium-ion batteries

WASHINGTON, USA - The latest publication by the US Trade Representative (USTR) regarding tariff action has not brought any clarification whether the import of lithium-ion batteries for e-bikes from China will be hit by a 25% additional duty. "Some ambiguity remains on what the announcement means for existing bicycle products receiving exclusions from Section 301 tariffs," writes PeopleForBikes, Policy Counsel Matt Moore in a statement today.

According to the European Public Prosecutor, the two companies imported e-bikes into Belgium in separate parts, allegedly to avoid the payment of anti-dumping duties due on the importation of fully assembled e-bikes. – Photo EPPO

Three convicted for evading €3.1 million in duties on imported...

LUXEMBOURG, Luxembourg - One individual and two companies have been found guilty of evading customs duties on the importation of e-bikes from China. The case was investigated and prosecuted by the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) in Brussels last week. In total, the three defendants were found guilty of evading €3.1 million in customs duties and were sentenced to a fine of over €15.5 million each.

LEVA-EU hosted a meeting for its members with the European Commission on the topic of anti-dumping regulations. – Photo Shutterstock

LEVA-EU and members meet EU Commission to discuss e-bike anti-dumping

BRUSSELS, Belgium - To draw attention to the impact of anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures against made-in-China e-bikes, LEVA-EU hosted a meeting with the European Commission. According to LEVA-EU more than 40 company representatives and lawyers signed up for the meeting held on March 15.

The EU-Commission writes in a statement that, “the request is based on the grounds that the expiry of the measures would be likely to result in continuation of dumping and recurrence of injury to the European industry.” – Photo Bike Europe

EU Commission opens expiry review for anti-dumping on China made...

BRUSSELS, Belgium - The use of anti-dumping and anti-circumvention duties as a trade regulation for e-bikes from China has been much discussed in the industry in the past 5 years. On request of the European Bicycle Manufacturers Association (EBMA), the European Commission has initiated an expiry review of the current e-bike anti-dumping measures.

The 30th anniversary of dumping duties on bicycles comes with a complex set of rules. – Photo Shutterstock

Has the anti-dumping regulation become too complex in 30 years?

BRUSSELS, the Netherlands - The bankruptcy of the e-bike company Qwic was partly attributed by the owners to an unexpected tax bill for anti-dumping duties. In the past 3 decades several extensions were added to make the trade regulation with anti-dumping and anti-circumvention rulings. The question is now raised whether the regulation has become too complex or should companies inform themselves better?