Important EU import tariffs on Chinese electric bicycles

The European Commission imposes immediate import duties on electric bicycles imported from China. The measures announced Wednesday are the result of an ongoing investigation into the sale of Chinese bicycles on the European market.

The tariff increases are between 22 and 83%, depending on the brand, and apply in all cases for the next six months. . Import duties for Giant brand electric bicycles, the largest bicycle manufacturer in the world, which also has factories in Taiwan and the Netherlands, increase by 27.5%.

The prices of some electric bikes can easily go up to around 6000 euros. According to the Commission, European traders sold Chinese bicycles more than 43% cheaper than the cost price of electric bicycles in other countries

. The import of Chinese bicycles has increased significantly in recent years. In 2014, there were just under 200,000. Last year, the purchase amounted to nearly 700,000 out of a total of two million electric bikes sold in Europe. At that time, the market share of e-bikes of brands such as Giant and Bodo doubled to 35%.

With Accell (Batavus and Sparta, 1 billion business turnover in 2017, 3,000 employees) and Pon (Gazelle, half billion business turnover in 2017, 1,400 employees), the Netherlands have two and three global home builders In the electric bike market, already very competitive, they have a lot to lose from cheap Chinese imports.

The Netherlands is ahead of the rest of Europe in the popularity of e-bikes. A nine in three bike sold here last year was an electric bike. According to the interest group of European bike manufacturers, this figure is one in ten in Europe.

The Commission concludes the survey of Chinese bicycle sales in January. Until then, the rates apply. Subsequently, he can establish definitive samples, which usually take up to five years.