Standard bicycles, electric bicycles and cycling parts each sit under different headings — and e-bikes from China face some of the steepest anti-dumping duties of any consumer product.
Non-motorised bicycles are classified under heading 8712. Electric bicycles with pedal assistance and an auxiliary motor fall under heading 8711.60, a separate classification from ordinary bikes, and this distinction matters enormously for duty: standard bicycles face moderate MFN rates, while Chinese-origin e-bikes carry EU anti-dumping and countervailing duties that can push the total well past 50% of declared value. Bicycle parts and accessories (frames, wheels, saddles) are classified separately under heading 8714. Getting the classification and declared origin right is the single biggest cost factor for any commercial bicycle shipment.
Import duty rates shown for the EU (from non-EU), UK (from non-UK), and USA (from non-USA). Intra-EU shipments have 0% duty.
| HS Code | Product description | EU duty | UK duty | USA duty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8712.00.30 | Bicycles designed for use by children | 14% | 14% | 11% | EU maximum MFN rate for bicycles applies to this sub-heading |
| 8712.00.70 | Adult bicycles (other than children's, racing or fitted with ball bearings variant) | 14% | 14% | 5.5–11% (varies by wheel size/weight) | USA duty depends on wheel diameter and unassembled weight under HTS 8712.00.15–.44 |
| 8711.60.10 | Electric bicycles with pedal assistance, auxiliary motor ≤250W | 6% | 6% | Free | EU: subject to anti-dumping/countervailing duties if Chinese-origin — see duty notes |
| 8711.60.90 | Other electric bicycles / mopeds with pedal assistance | 6% | 6% | Free | Sub-classification within this heading determines whether Chinese anti-dumping duty applies — verify with a customs broker |
| 8714.91 | Bicycle frames and forks | 4.5% | 0% | Free | Frame-only shipments, common for custom builds |
| 8714.93 | Bicycle hubs, free-wheel sprocket wheels | 4.5% | 0% | Free | Drivetrain components |
| 8714.94 | Bicycle brakes and parts thereof | 4.5% | 0% | Free | Includes brake levers, calipers, disc rotors |
| 8714.99 | Other bicycle parts and accessories n.e.s. | 4.5% | 0% | Free | Catch-all for saddles, pedals, handlebars not covered elsewhere |
Duty rates are indicative based on standard MFN (Most Favoured Nation) tariffs. Actual rates may vary by country of origin and applicable trade agreements. Always verify with the official tariff database of the destination country.
Non-motorised bicycles (8712) carry an EU MFN duty of up to 14% — one of the higher rates outside food and textiles. This applies regardless of origin unless a specific FTA preference applies (e.g. goods of Vietnamese or South Korean origin may qualify for reduced rates under the relevant EU trade agreement).
The European Commission has extended anti-dumping and countervailing duties on electric bicycles from China through at least 2030. Combined rates range from roughly 9.9% to 70.1% anti-dumping duty plus 3.9% to 17.2% countervailing duty, layered on top of the standard 6% MFN rate, depending on the specific Chinese manufacturer. Declared origin and the correct TARIC sub-code (8711.60.10 vs .90) materially affect whether these duties apply — misdeclaration is actively monitored.
Base HTS duty on adult bicycles (8712.00.15–.44) ranges 5.5–11% depending on wheel diameter and unassembled weight — smaller-wheel bikes generally attract the higher 11% rate. As of 2025–2026, additional US tariff measures (a baseline reciprocal tariff plus country-specific rates) apply on top of these base HTS rates for many origins, including China; verify the current combined rate via hts.usitc.gov before shipping, as this has changed multiple times through 2025 and remains an active policy area.
UK Global Tariff broadly mirrors the EU's 14% rate on standard bicycles. EU-origin bicycles (manufactured in the EU, not merely shipped from it) qualify for 0% under the UK-EU TCA, subject to Rules of Origin — a bicycle assembled in Portugal from a mix of EU and Asian-sourced components needs to meet the applicable value-added threshold to claim origin.
EU VAT applies on the customs value plus duty plus freight — Portugal 23%, Germany 19%, France 20%. UK VAT is 20%. This is separate from and additional to the import duty rates above.
Declare the exact wheel diameter and unassembled weight for adult bicycles shipped to the USA — this determines which of several HTS sub-headings (and duty rates) applies, and getting it wrong is one of the most common bicycle customs errors.
For e-bikes: declare the motor's continuous rated power and confirm whether it's pedal-assist (8711.60) or throttle-only (may fall under a different, non-bicycle heading with different duty treatment) — this distinction affects both classification and lithium battery shipping rules.
Chinese-origin e-bikes attract substantial EU anti-dumping duty regardless of which EU country they're shipped through — country of manufacture, not country of shipment, determines liability. Assembling a Chinese-made e-bike kit in Portugal does not change its Chinese origin for anti-dumping purposes unless genuine substantial transformation occurs.
Lithium battery packs for e-bikes ship as dangerous goods (Class 9, UN3480/3481) separately from the frame in many cases — check with your carrier's DGR desk, since this affects both packaging requirements and which parts of a multi-box e-bike shipment need DG documentation.
For used/personal bicycles (not commercial resale), declare as 'used personal bicycle — not for resale' — many customs authorities apply a reduced personal-effects treatment rather than full commercial duty, though this varies by destination.
Bicycle frame material (carbon fibre, titanium, steel, aluminium) doesn't change the HS code, but declared value should reflect the actual material — customs authorities cross-check declared values against typical retail prices for the frame type, and undervaluing a carbon frame as if it were aluminium is a common red flag.
What HS code do I use for a standard bicycle?
Non-motorised bicycles use heading 8712, with sub-headings distinguishing children's bikes (8712.00.30) from adult bikes. In the USA, adult bicycles are further split by wheel diameter and weight (8712.00.15 through .44), each carrying a different duty rate — get this specific enough or risk under/overpaying duty.
Why do e-bikes have such high import duties from China?
The EU has anti-dumping and countervailing duties on Chinese electric bicycles, extended through at least 2030, because the European Commission found Chinese e-bike producers benefit from state subsidies that let them undercut EU manufacturers. Combined rates can reach roughly 70% anti-dumping plus 17% countervailing duty on top of the standard 6% MFN rate, depending on the specific manufacturer — verify the exact rate for your supplier before importing, since it varies significantly by company.
What's the difference between HS 8711.60.10 and 8711.60.90 for e-bikes?
Both cover electric bicycles with pedal assistance, but the exact sub-classification affects whether EU anti-dumping measures apply and at what rate. This distinction has real financial consequences — a customs broker or your supplier's export documentation should confirm the precise TARIC code before you commit to an import.
Can I ship bicycle parts without paying the full bicycle duty rate?
Yes — parts (frames, wheels, brakes, drivetrain components) are classified separately under heading 8714, generally at lower or 0% duty in the UK and typically Free in the USA, versus up to 14% EU / 11% USA for a complete bicycle. This is a legitimate reason many businesses import frame and component sets separately rather than fully assembled bikes, though EU duty on parts (4.5%) is still non-zero.
Do I need to declare a lithium battery separately when shipping an e-bike?
Often yes for freight/parcel purposes even though it doesn't change the HS code — e-bike batteries are dangerous goods (Class 9, UN3480/3481) and may need to ship in DG-compliant packaging, sometimes in a separate parcel from the frame depending on the carrier's rules. Check with your carrier's dangerous goods desk before booking, since this is a shipping/carrier requirement distinct from the customs classification itself.
Is a used bicycle I'm shipping personally subject to full import duty?
Many customs authorities apply reduced or waived duty for a single used personal bicycle declared as 'not for resale', treating it as a personal effect rather than a commercial import. This isn't universal, so check the specific destination country's personal-effects allowance, and always still declare the item and a reasonable value rather than omitting it.
How do I find the exact HTS code for bicycles imported to the USA?
Search hts.usitc.gov for heading 8712 (bicycles) or 8714 (parts) and read the specific sub-heading notes carefully — USA bicycle classification depends on wheel diameter, unassembled weight and whether the bike has ball-bearing construction, each triggering a different rate. For anything beyond a straightforward adult bicycle, consider requesting a binding ruling from US Customs and Border Protection for certainty on repeat shipments.
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