In our campaign against dumping duties on electric bicycles from China, one of our main arguments was that a very large part of components come from China. Both importers who had their e-bikes assembled in China and so-called European manufacturers often had no other option but to buy from China because there is simply no production elsewhere.

Remarkably enough, this was confirmed by the European Commission itself when on 20 December 2018, they published Regulation No 1387/2013 suspending import duties on a number of products. The list includes frames, front forks, pedals, handlebars and saddles. The Commission explained that this duty suspension was necessary “to ensure a sufficient and uninterrupted supply of (…) products which are unavailable in the Union and thereby avoid any disturbances in the market for those products.”

It is utterly discouraging, one DG taking measures on the basis of one thing and another DG taking measures on the basis of exactly the opposite.

As a result of the dumping duties, many companies are still working on an alternative for the assembly of electric bicycles in China. LEVA-EU has published a briefing for its members explaining what the legal options are both in and outside the EU. LEVA-EU also has a specific briefing on the above-mentioned suspension of duties.

Many companies are still looking for assembly capacity in or outside the EU and for component suppliers outside China. Any company that has assembly capacity available or is able to supply electric bike components from outside China is invited to contact LEVA-EU. Please provide us with full company details and with detailed information on your activities. All proposals will be carefully scrutinized before passing them on to potentially interested companies.

Please send an email with the required information to Annick Roetynck, LEVA-EU Manager, email annick@leva-eu.com