Anti-dumping rate cut approved for Chinese pair exporting eBikes to UK

Following an earlier proposal for adjustment to anti-dumping rates, the UK Government has granted special exporter status to both Jinhua Otmar Technology Co Ltd and Jinhua Seno Technology Co Ltd, a pair of manufacturers exporting electric bike and trike products to the UK.

As a result of the trimmed down anti-dumping rate, both manufacturers will now be subject to just 16.2% tariffs, rather than the blanket 62.1% otherwise applied. The exemptions made do not affect countervailing duties paid, meaning that the combined rates shunt from 79.3% to 33.4% paid. The changes come into effect immediately.

Both businesses claimed new exporter status and were therefore unable to participate in the original investigation.

Previously some importers into the UK have warned that anti-dumping tariffs applied on Chinese sourced equipment could force closure of businesses. In the case of a disability trike specialist, Mission Cycles, vast costs became applicable on products that could not easily or viably be sourced from elsewhere. At the time, business owner David Wilshere wrote to his Dover and Deal MP calling for import codes on bicycle goods destined for use by those with disabilities be allowed to bypass tariffs.

Exports of electric bicycles destined for Europe and originating from China had tumbled drastically upon the last publication of anti-dumping rates and since that time Europe has seen numerous investments made in production closer to domestic marketplaces.

The European bicycle industry’s trade bodies are currently consulting on the subject of supply chain resilience related to raw materials and others factors that may effect the success of moving production back West.

The Secretary of State for International Trade’s full decision can be read here, while the Trade Remedy Authority’s final recommendation can be read here.