Brussels, Belgium – The European Commission (EC) had decided to impose provisional anti-dumping duties on imports of e-bikes originating from China. The duties, applicable to all types of e-bikes and speed pedelecs, come into effect immediately and will remain until a final decision is reached in six months time.

The EC reached its provisional decision after an investigation of a complaint lodged in September 2017 by the European Bicycle Manufacturers Association (EBMA), which originally sought anti-dumping tariffs of 189%. However, the EC decided that provisional anti-dumping duty will range from 21.8% to 83.6% depending on the manufacturer. Most cooperating e-bike producers in China will be subject to a 37% anti-dumping tariff, however, Giant will be charged 27.5%, JinHua Vision 21.8% and Bodo Vehicle 77.6%. Suzhou Rununion Motivity will be charged 83.6% along with all other Chinese manufacturers which did not cooperate with the EC investigation.

Secretary General of the EBMA, Moreno Fioravanti said in press release, “The EBMA applauds today’s European Commission decision to impose provisional anti-dumping measures on e-bikes imported from China, which have flooded the EU at an alarming rate and artificially low prices. The Commission’s examination has confirmed the existence of dumping and injury to European e-bike manufacturing. Hence, with broad support from EU Member States, the European Commission has imposed provisional dumping duties to prevent further injury to European industry. Today’s decision by the European Union should send a clear signal to Chinese e-bike companies to stop their dumping, and give European e-bike manufacturers an opportunity to recover lost sales. Provisional measures will be an essential step toward securing final trade defence measures, as well as a level playing field for European e-bike manufacturers and the future of their employees.”

Fighting against the complaint on behalf of the Collective of European Bicycle Importers, Annick Roetynck commented, “This is a clear case of abuse of trade defence instruments for protectionist reasons, and importers have been punished before a verdict has even been reached. This baseless and opaque procedure is severely injuring many small and medium sized European businesses as well as the growing e-bike market in Europe.”

The EC has still to do decide on a separate anti-subsidy complaint against e-bike imported into the EU from China. This could add further duties to the anti-dumping tariffs. A decision on anti-subsidy measures is expected to be announced on September 21st.