Disclaimer: This analysis is based on the most current information available at the time of release (April 7, 2025). It is possible that future actions by specific countries may result in the reduction — or increase — of these tariffs. The information provided in this FAQ is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. PeopleForBikes advises importers to consult their customs broker or trade counsel for specific advice.


Q: What are the current tariffs for specific bike products and do you expect these to change?

The base tariff paid for a specific product depends upon its country of origin (where the product is made) and tariff rate for that product as determined by its classification under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). Additional tariffs can then be placed on imports under various provisions of U.S. law for different reasons. For example, starting in 2018, a series of tariffs were imposed on products imported from China under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. There have also been tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from various countries under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 since 2018. Recently, the administration increased these tariffs and imposed new tariff measures in addition to all previous tariffs. PeopleForBikes expects these tariffs to change frequently in the near term based on the administration's actions and stated intentions.

Q: What resources or guidance are you offering to ensure companies are making informed decisions about tariff impacts?

PeopleForBikes periodically publishes a Tariff Guide available to Coalition members in our Member Center. We also send member communications about major tariff changes and most recently issued updates in response to trade and tariff actions by the Trump administration. Importers are required by law to make informed decisions in how they classify and value their products, and the vast array of supply chains and product mixes in our industry, as well as the confidentiality required about those suppliers and products, makes it impossible for PeopleForBikes to provide more specific advice. We advise importers to consult their customs broker or trade counsel for specific advice.

Q. How will the new tariffs affect prices for bikes and e-bikes and when consumers can expect to see higher prices?

PeopleForBikes cannot comment on specific price impacts. Under economic realities, dramatic increases in landed costs will put upward pressure on retail prices.

Q: When do the reciprocal tariffs come into effect for goods in transit?

If goods are "loaded onto a vessel at the port of loading and in the final mode of transit" prior to the effective time of a specific tariff, they will not be subject to that tariff. 


Q. Is the ocean vessel the “final mode of transit”? If goods move from a port of entry to final destination via rail, is that the final mode?

“Final mode” refers to the last mode of transport before a product reaches a U.S. port of entry where duty is collected. Typically that is a seaport. If a container physically enters the country at a seaport and is loaded onto a rail car and entry is made elsewhere, it may not qualify for the exception.

Q. How do Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum relate to the new reciprocal tariffs?

With respect to products subject to Section 232 steel and aluminum tariffs (like bicycle chains), there is an exclusion from the new tariffs in the executive order. Please consult with your broker to determine whether your product qualifies for this exclusion.

Q. Is there a potential for exemptions from these tariffs at this time?

The administration indicated there will be "no exemptions," however the Secretary of Commerce has discretion to adjust these tariff rates (either up or down) going forward.

Q. What will the tariff be if a bicycle is assembled in Taiwan but the frames are produced in Vietnam? 

For purposes of U.S. imports, the country in which a bicycle or e-bike frame is made determines the country of origin of the completed product and applicable tariffs.

Q. Is the $800 de minimis value still in effect for all countries that are not China?

The new policy applies to PRODUCTS from China, not just shipments originating in China. This means a Chinese-origin product shipped from Canada would not qualify for de minimis treatment and duty/fees would be assessed. De minimis is still in effect for low-dollar-value shipments of goods with origin in other countries until the Secretary of Commerce determines that these shipments can be processed for collection of duties or fees.

Q: What are you hearing from your members about the impact of the tariffs, particularly on materials like steel and aluminum?

The primary impact of the steel and aluminum tariffs has been on domestic manufacturers who use those materials as inputs for their products. When tariffs are placed on imported steel and aluminum, domestic producers raise their prices to just below the cost of imported metals. This makes a domestically produced product like a headset more expensive to make and less competitive with a foreign-made product, especially one that enters the country direct-to-consumer under the de minimis loophole, because no duties or taxes are placed on that product. Additionally, a few bicycle components like chains are subject to the new 25% Section 232 tariff on steel products.

Q: Do you foresee changes in manufacturing practices, product pricing, or industry collaboration as a result of these tariffs?

A stated purpose of the new tariffs is to encourage U.S. manufacturing, so it is possible more of that will happen in our industry and some companies will start or increase domestic manufacturing or assembly operations. However, there are still a lot of hurdles to domestic manufacturing if tariffs on inputs are high, interest rates remain high and capital costs more, and U.S. labor is expensive and in short supply. These barriers were addressed in legislation last year, H.R. 8625 (the Domestic Bicycle Production Act), which unfortunately did not advance. Re-building assembly and component manufacturing domestically is a big undertaking and would take government support to accomplish at any sort of realistic scale. On a positive note, PeopleForBikes currently has a group of members talking about how to make that happen, and it’s encouraging to work in an industry where companies can set competitive instincts aside and work together for the good of all.

Q. How can bicycle industry members best engage with Congress about these tariffs? 

PeopleForBikes created a template letter for industry members to send their representatives in Congress asking for tariff relief, sharing how these new tariffs are affecting your business, and supporting the retroactive authorization of GSP as well as congressional action on the removal of the de minimis threshold on all countries. Sharing data on the direct effects of tariffs on your company is extremely valuable.

PeopleForBikes is continuously engaging with members of Congress on our Trade Policy objectives.  We recently hosted an industry fly-in where executives from member companies met with congressional staff to make our concerns known and request action. Trade and tariffs were a major topic of discussion at our recent Bicycle Leadership Conference. We have also recently beefed up our staff in Washington, D.C., and will continue to use every opportunity to seek relief from the current tariff environment.

PeopleForBikes FAQ on Trump Administration Tariffs

Administration Clarifies Reciprocal Tariff Implementation

On April 4, the Trump administration published a full, 62-page version of the executive order on reciprocal tariffs that now includes an Annex III with formal modifications to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) tariff code. The notice clarifies that the new 10% and per-country reciprocal tariffs are in addition to existing base tariffs on imported goods. For example, a bicycle that is imported from Taiwan will have a total tariff of 43% (11% base duty + 32% reciprocal tariff).

Updated targeted tariff rates for key source countries for the U.S. bicycle industry:

Exemptions for Shipments Loaded Before 12:01 a.m. EST on April 5, 2025

The revised executive order further clarifies that the 10% additional tariffs on all countries will not apply to “goods loaded onto a vessel at the port of loading and in transit on the final mode of transit or withdrawn from a warehouse for consumption” before April 5, 2025. Shipments that meet these requirements prior to April 9 will not be subject to reciprocal tariffs.

A lawsuit has been filed in federal court in Florida in an effort to halt the new tariffs. Additional lawsuits may also be filed in the coming days. This follows a now familiar pattern of pushback against the administration’s new policies. PeopleForBikes will monitor this litigation as it progresses and update our members as new information becomes available. 

PeopleForBikes hosted a webinar for members of the bicycle industry on April 3 covering the new tariffs. You can access the webinar presentation below. Another webinar on trade and tariffs will take place on April 29 exclusively for PeopleForBikes Coalition members.

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Trump Administration Announces Reciprocal Tariffs; End of De Minimis for Chinese Imports

On April 2, the Trump administration announced new reciprocal tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 (IEEPA). This imposes an additional 10% tariff on products from all countries (base duty plus 10%) as well as specific, targeted higher base tariff rates on all goods from select countries the administration determined impose high tariffs and related barriers or costs — such as Value Added Tax (VAT) — on U.S. goods. Canada and Mexico were exempted from the new tariffs as they are currently subject to existing 25% tariffs.

Targeted tariff rates for key source countries for the U.S. bicycle industry:

A list of countries targeted for specific new tariff rates and the applicable rates are listed in Annex I of the executive order. The additional 10% tariffs will go into effect on April 5 at 12:01 a.m. EDT for all countries and the new targeted base tariffs will take effect on April 9 at 12:01 a.m. EDT. Neither tariff will apply to goods loaded onto a vessel at the port of loading and in transit on the final mode of transit prior to the respective effective date/time.

Future Tariffs for Countries That Import Oil From Venezuela

In previous updates, we informed you of potential new 25% tariffs on countries that the Secretary of Commerce determines have imported oil from Venezuela, most likely including China. These tariffs can be put into place at any time, and would be in addition to the new reciprocal tariffs. This could increase tariffs on Chinese goods by an additional 25%. The exact timing of these tariffs is uncertain and at the discretion of the Secretary of Commerce.  

The above analysis is based on the most current information available at the time of release (April 3, 2025). More specific information contained in annexes to the executive order and Federal Register notices are not yet available. It is possible that future actions by specific countries may result in the reduction — or increase — of these tariffs. PeopleForBikes will continue updating our members as further information becomes available.

De Minimis for Chinese Imports Ends May 2

In a second executive order, the administration announced that systems are now in place to collect duty on low-value shipments from China that previously received duty-free de minimis treatment. Accordingly, de minimis treatment for imports from China and Hong Kong valued at or under $800 will end on May 2. There will be two different processes depending on whether goods enter through postal shipment or through other carriers:

Goods sent through the international postal network will be subject to a duty rate of either 30% of their value or $25 per item (increasing to $50 per item after June 1, 2025). Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) may require formal entry for any postal package instead of these specified duties.

Goods sent through means other than the international postal network will be subject to all applicable duties, which will be collected under applicable entry and payment procedures.

Trump Administration Announces New Venezuelan Oil Tariff

On March 24, the administration issued an executive order directing the imposition of a 25% tariff on all products imported into the United States from countries that buy oil imported from Venezuela. The tariffs are being imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEPPA) based on several previous declarations related to Venezuela. While the exact details are yet to be confirmed, here is what we know about these new tariffs: 

The tariffs will take effect “on or after April 2, 2025.”

They will be “supplemental to duties on imports already imposed,” meaning they will be in addition to all other existing tariffs.

The Secretary of State will have the discretion to determine which countries are importing Venezuelan oil and therefore be subject to the tariffs.

The tariffs can be removed in the future, but will remain in effect for one additional year after the Secretary of Commerce determines that a country no longer sources oil from Venezuela

According to a 2024 report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the countries (other than the United States) that bought oil from Venezuela in 2023 and their share of those exports are:

These tariffs are primarily directed at imports from China, and they will be in addition to all other current tariffs (base tariff, 25% Section 301 tariff, 20% additional tariffs, and 25% steel and aluminum tariffs on some products). This means that after April 2nd, the total tariff on adult bicycles imported from China will be 81% and the tariff on e-bikes will be 70%.

Whether any other countries currently import Venezuelan oil, and will therefore be subject to an additional 25% tariff on exports to the United States after April 2, will be determined by the administration, and we expect future publication of notices with specific findings and actions. 

This analysis is based on the most current information available at the time of release (March 25, 2025). In recent weeks, the administration has announced new tariffs, then altered course prior to their implementation. PeopleForBikes will continue to update the industry as further information becomes available.

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On February 27, the Trump administration announced it would advance the previously paused 25% tariffs on all imports from Canada and Mexico effective March 4. The administration also promised to levy an additional 10% tariff on all Chinese goods starting the same date. The new tariffs are based on previously issued executive orders intended to address illegal immigration and fentanyl smuggling.

The newly announced 10% tariffs on all imports from China are in addition to Section 301 tariffs that began in 2018 and an earlier 10% additional tariff on Chinese goods. Unless another last-minute reprieve is announced, most bicycles made in China will soon face a base duty of 11%, Section 301 tariffs of 25%, and new tariffs of another 20% for total import duties of 56%. With the additional 10%, the total tariff on electric bicycles imported from China will have risen from zero (duty free) to 45% since June 2024. Bicycle components and accessories from China will have duty costs in the same range, depending on applicable base duty rates and Section 301 duties.

PeopleForBikes reviewed media reports of conflicting or contradictory statements by administration officials, and while the administration has consistently advanced broad policies of increasing tariffs and these announcements must be taken seriously, the actual implementation of tariffs has varied from initial plans. Negotiations with Canada and Mexico are ongoing, and it's possible these tariffs could be further delayed, reduced, or limited in scope either before or after March 4. The implications of ongoing uncertainty in the global trade environment for the bicycle industry continue to be both profound and worrisome. 

The administration also announced its intent to pursue reciprocal tariffs, which are currently being studied by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR). The agency’s report is due to the president by April 1, 2025. The administration said these reciprocal tariffs on all goods from all affected countries could go into effect as early as April 2. Because of the massive scope of these proposed tariffs and the likelihood that other countries will adjust their tariff rates to avoid reciprocal tariffs, actual implementation by U.S. Customs and Border Protection may require additional time.

PeopleForBikes remains committed to advancing favorable trade policies on behalf of the bike industry, including advocating for an exclusion process to obtain select relief from the newly enacted tariffs. While the administration has been clear up to this point that no exclusions will be granted when tariffs are enacted, legislators on both sides of the aisle understand the damaging effects these tariffs will have on businesses across the country. If the tariffs are effective in achieving the administration’s stated goals, there may be future opportunities for such relief. In the near term, however, that appears unlikely.


In response to urgent tariff developments, PeopleForBikes convened industry leaders in Washington D.C. from February 24-25 to meet with Democratic and Republican legislative staff and discuss trade and tariff challenges. We repeatedly heard that the most effective course of action is to write to your congress member and share how these tariffs and ongoing trade uncertainty are hurting your business. If you are interested in writing to your representatives on behalf of your business, please contact PeopleForBikes Vice President of Government Relations Dr. Ash Lovell at ash@peopleforbikes.org for more information.

On Inauguration Day, President Trump issued a Memorandum titled the “America First Trade Policy.” The order directed several federal agencies to undertake comprehensive reviews of U.S. trade policy and all trade agreements as well as investigate adverse actions by other countries. These agencies are to report their findings and recommendations for actions to the president by April 1, 2025. The stated goal of the administration is to enact trade and economic policies “that put the American economy, the American worker, and our national security first.”

On Saturday, February 1, President Trump took the first steps toward this goal by issuing three executive orders imposing new 25% tariffs on all products from Canada and Mexico and a new 10% tariff on Chinese products. Here are the key features of the new tariffs:


The tariffs go into effect at 12:01 a.m. ET on Tuesday, February 4, 2025

The tariffs apply to all goods with a country of origin of Canada, Mexico, or China

There is a limited exception for goods “in transit” before February 1, 2025

The only goods excepted are oil and energy from Canada, which have a 10% tariff

These tariffs are in addition to all tariffs currently in place (including existing Section 301 tariffs on Chinese-origin goods)

Bike Industry Updates on New Trump Administration Tariffs

From February 24–25, PeopleForBikes convened a small group of bicycle industry leaders in Washington, D.C, to advocate for our shared federal trade priorities before Congress. Executives from United Wheels, Specialized, Trek, and Hyper Bicycles joined PeopleForBikes’ policy team for a series of meetings with congressional offices and committees on both sides of the aisle.

Industry leaders shared how their companies and the broader bicycle industry are being negatively affected by the rapidly developing trade policies enacted by the Trump administration. Unless another last-minute reprieve is announced, most bicycles made in China will soon face a base duty of 11%, Section 301 tariffs of 25%, new tariffs of another 20%, and 25% tariffs in relation to Venezuelan oil imports for total import duties of 81% beginning as soon as April 2. With the new, additional duties, the total tariff on electric bicycles imported from China will have risen from zero (duty free) to 70% since June 2024.

READ THE LATEST INDUSTRY UPDATES ON TRUMP ADMINISTRATION TARIFFS


The industry executives told congressional representatives that while their companies moved some manufacturing out of China to GSP-eligible nations to take advantage of duty-free import incentives, they have paid unanticipated tariffs since the program expired at the end of 2020. The costs of relocating, coupled with the additional capital needed to pay supplemental duties, have severely impacted many U.S. bike companies, which also suffered recent layoffs.

Another main topic of discussion is that because the de minimis threshold for goods imported into the United States is the highest in the world at $800, these same bicycle companies and retailers are unfairly forced to compete against foreign-based online sellers. Under de minimis, these foreign sellers can sell and ship bikes and electric bicycles to U.S. consumers without paying any tariffs, collect no sales taxes for states, and are held to no safety standards.  


PeopleForBikes will host multiple fly-ins to Washington D.C. throughout the rest of 2025 to advocate for the collective interests of the bicycle industry and introduce industry leaders to their representatives in Congress. If you are interested in attending a future fly-in, please contact PeopleForBikes Vice President of Government Relations Dr. Ash Lovell at ash@peopleforbikes.org for more information.

Industry Leaders Push for Tariff Relief and Trade Fairness During PeopleForBikes’ Fly-In in Washington, D.C.

On February 18, the Trump administration published Federal Register notices regarding the revised Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from all countries. The unofficial, unpublished steel and aluminum tariff notices are currently available. These notices implement the administration's executive orders on the two tariff actions. Each notice includes an Annex listing all Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) tariff codes for articles and derivative articles of steel and aluminum subject to these tariffs. 

Members of the bike industry are advised to review the listings to determine whether any goods they import may soon be subject to additional tariffs when they go into effect on March 12, 2025.  Tariff collections on derivative articles will not begin until the Secretary of Commerce provides “public notification” that adequate systems are in place to collect the duties on these articles.

The good news for the bicycle industry: The primary HTSUS chapters for bicycles, electric bicycles, frames, forks, and bicycle components (8711, 8712, and 8714) are NOT listed in the Annex for steel or aluminum. Absent any further actions by the Administration, these products will not be subject to the additional 25% tariffs (but remain subject to all other tariffs, including applicable Section 301 tariffs).  

The bad news: Imported steel and aluminum used by domestic manufacturers, including PeopleForBikes member companies, will likely become more expensive. The tariff on the listed aluminum articles is being increased from 10% to 25%, and the revised Section 232 actions also end trade agreements that allowed lower-cost imports of steel and aluminum from some countries (including Canada). Similar to what happened in 2018, domestic metal producers will likely raise their prices to match the increased cost of imported metals due to the tariffs.

As a result of the Section 232 tariff actions, domestic metal producers will gain competitive advantages and higher margins, but domestic product manufacturers will face increased costs for the materials needed to make products and stand to lose even more ground against foreign competitors. The delay in implementing de minimis reform will further exacerbate those market inequities, at least in the short term. The recent announcement of plans for future "fair and reciprocal" tariffs on all goods from all countries could add yet another potentially substantial layer of additional costs to industry supply chains.

As the U.S. bicycle industry’s trade association, PeopleForBikes advocates for pro-bike business policies and regulations at all levels of government. PeopleForBikes remains committed to advancing favorable trade policies on behalf of the bike industry, including retroactive authorization of the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP). This legislation has bipartisan support in Congress and PeopleForBikes will continue supporting its passage. 

As the trade landscape continues to evolve, it is critical that executives and leaders across the bicycle industry work with PeopleForBikes to support outcomes that benefit bicycling and the bike business. If you have questions about the tariffs, or you would like to discuss how to advocate effectively for your business, please contact PeopleForBikes Vice President of Government Relations Dr. Ash Lovell at ash@peopleforbikes.org for more information.

Bikes and E-Bikes Avoid New Steel and Aluminum Tariffs

UPDATE: Unfortunately, recent trade actions by the federal government leave little good trade news for the bicycle industry. On Friday, May 24, 2024, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced the fate of the Section 301 tariff exclusions scheduled to expire on May 31. All exclusions are briefly extended to midnight of June 14, 2024, as a “transition period.”


Exclusions for bicycle trailers and some bicycle helmets are extended to June 1, 2025. These exclusions are listed under Annex C in the USTR announcement. These exclusions are listed under Annex D of the announcement and include all HTS codes for children’s bicycles, electric bicycles, certain carbon fiber frames, and water packs. After June 14, these products will be subject to a 25% Section 301 tariff in addition to any base tariffs.

As the U.S. bicycle industry’s trade association, PeopleForBikes is dedicated to promoting pro-bike trade policies that support bike businesses, keep Americans riding, and make bikes and bicycle products more accessible for everyone. We’re optimistic that the recent movement on trade policy in Congress (outlined below) will lead to a safer, stronger, and more robust future for the bike industry and bike riders nationwide thanks to the advocacy of our Coalition members and the leadership of champions on Capitol Hill. 

We’re optimistic that recent movement on trade policy in Congress (outlined below) will lead to a safer, stronger, and more robust future for the bike industry and bike riders nationwide thanks to the advocacy of our Coalition members and the leadership of champions on Capitol Hill.

Every major action on tariffs affects the bicycle industry. PeopleForBikes actively pushes for tariff exclusions, beneficial trade program renewals, and other policy reforms that create a more predictable and supportive culture of trade policy in Washington, D.C. We are proud to share our vision for U.S. trade policy with our members, policymakers, and partners in our new 2024 Trade Policy Agenda.


Read PeopleForBikes’ 2024 Trade Agenda 

Domestic trade policy for bicycles, electric bicycles, and bicycle products should support seven key principles to provide economic, environmental, and health benefits for Americans. These policies should:

Create Certainty: Fluctuations in U.S. trade policy limit investments in the future of the bike industry and harm consumers. Trade policies should foster stability so U.S. bike companies can plan their supply chains, align production with demand, invest in business expansion, hire new employees, and increase wages.

Provide a Fair Playing Field: Sudden tariff increases of 25-100% dramatically depress the economic success of the bike industry. Duties function no differently than changes to other cost inputs or taxes. When they increase, the companies paying those duties are less profitable. These cost increases unfairly select winners and losers and threaten the free market. 

Promote Domestic Economic Growth: Participation trends for the U.S. bicycle industry are strong and sales of electric bicycles are rising. Sound trade policy can promote that growth and the onshoring of bicycle assembly and production even further. Our economic policies should encourage and enable bike companies to invest more in U.S. bicycle production and support the thousands of small businesses — American bicycle dealers — serving our communities. Trade policies that unfairly favor foreign-based manufacturers and online retailers must end.

Leverage Opportunities to Achieve Climate Change Goals: Bicycling provides one of the most efficient solutions to reducing carbon emissions from the transportation sector. Our trade and tax policies should recognize the potential of the bike to help achieve these goals.


Improve Public Health: Bicycling will not only help achieve environmental objectives, but also make Americans happier and healthier in the process. U.S. trade policy should align with national efforts to improve mental and physical well-being and reduce rising healthcare costs.

Increase Youth Participation: Young bike riders represent the future of the U.S. bike industry. Children’s bicycles and critical safety equipment must remain available and affordable for the long-term stability of the bike industry.

Encourage Investments in Developing Countries: The U.S. is a leader in helping other countries build stronger economic foundations. The bike industry can help America continue this legacy with policies that support investments in developing nations.

PeopleForBikes is advocating for a number of policy proposals that align with our principles and goals for U.S. trade policy, including: 

Reducing duties on bicycle components and raw materials, specifically Section 301 tariffs and Section 232 steel and aluminum tariffs. 

A wholesale reduction or elimination of the de minimis shipment threshold for bicycles and bicycle accessories, including helmets and other highly regulated safety products.

The bipartisan Import Security and Fairness Act (H.R. 4148/S. 2004) from Representatives Earl Blumenauer (OR-03) and Neal Dunn (FL-02) and Senators Sherrod Brown (OH) and Marco Rubio (FL) would eliminate de minimis treatment for goods imported from non-market economies

A bicycle manufacturing and assembly onshoring incentive proposal from Rep. Blumenauer that would:

Temporarily remove tariffs on bicycle components imported for assembly 

Establish an electric bicycle production tax credit 

Provide businesses loans of up to $50 million to support investment in manufacturing for bicycles and electric bicycles

Extending the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill and renewing the Generalized System of Preferences.

On April 16, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Ambassador Katherine Tai testified before the House Ways and Means Committee on the Biden Administration’s 2024 Trade Agenda. In the USTR hearing, Congressman Mike Thompson, the incoming chair of the Congressional Bike Caucus, asked Ambassador Tai about her agency’s plans regarding de minimis policy and specifically highlighted the threat of unsafe, untested bicycle helmets and electric bicycles entering the U.S. as a reason for reform. She responded that the USTR was looking for action and direction from Congress on this issue. 

On April 19, the committee held a markup to advance six pieces of legislation related to trade with China. The committee advanced legislation related to de minimis and the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP). PeopleForBikes supports this effort to renew GSP and reform de minimis policy, which could save the bicycle industry millions in retroactive duties if signed into law. 

The GSP bill would reinstate duty relief retroactively to December 31, 2020, and importers would be able to apply for the refund of all duties paid that otherwise would have been reduced or eliminated under GSP had it remained in place. The bill also imposes additional factors for countries to remain eligible for the GSP program and increases the rules of origin requirement for local inputs from 35% to 50% by 2031.

The de minimis bill is somewhat limited and would remove de minimis treatment only:

Where "merchandise covered by a single order or contract is forwarded in separate lots to secure the benefit of such subsection”

"With respect to any article that is subject to duties or other import restrictions" under Section 301 tariffs or other trade actions (potentially including the pending aluminum extrusion trade action)

PeopleForBikes will continue to support sound trade policy that advances the goals and needs of the bicycle industry. We’ll weigh in on these policies as they move through the legislative process and ensure our members stay updated and aware of any changes in policy that could affect their businesses. 

Advocating for a Pro-Bike Federal Trade Agenda

From trade to consumer product regulations, federal policymakers are taking a closer look at policy options to protect the import, sale, and ownership of quality electric bicycles in the United States. As the nation’s only trade association for the bicycle industry, PeopleForBikes is committed to advancing strong policies and regulations to protect consumers and our members across the bicycle supply chain. New proposals before Congress and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) could lead us to a future where consumers and riders don’t have to worry about whether the helmet or electric bicycle they’re purchasing meets applicable testing standards designed to help keep them safe.

We’ve already written about the CPSC’s comment period for electric bicycles and our goals for setting federal standards for e-bikes. The other side of the coin is how potentially unsafe products that don’t meet these standards are able to get through our ports and entry systems and into the hands of American consumers. Keeping the public safe from such products is, or should be, the most basic function of our national trade policy. 

Thanks to bicycling’s biggest advocate in Congress, Bike Caucus Founder and Co-chair Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR-04) — as well as his colleagues Rep. Neal Dunn (R-FL-17) and Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Marco Rubio (R-FL) — the newly reintroduced Import Security and Fairness Act (H.R. 4148/S. 2004) would end “de minimis” treatment for goods imported from China and Russia. 

Before diving into what that means for bikes, it’s important to understand what de minimis means: most countries set a de minimis threshold to allow small dollar imports to bypass duties. In order to reduce the administrative burden of collecting tariffs for small shipments, almost every country specifies a de minimis amount for which tariffs and duties are not collected. Specifically, the U.S. defines the de minimis threshold as follows:

De minimis provides admission of articles free of duty and of any tax imposed on or by reason of importation, but the aggregate fair retail value in the country of shipment of articles imported by one person on one day and exempted from the payment of duty shall not exceed $800 (Section 321, 19 USC 1321).

In 2016, President Obama signed the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015. This law significantly raised the value of a shipment of merchandise that may be imported free of duty from $200 to $800. While this change may have made sense for the international traveler returning with some items from a trip abroad, it failed to consider the impact on direct online sales to U.S. consumers from foreign sellers. This law has had the unintended consequence of rapidly shifting purchases formerly made from American retailers to foreign online sellers, making those purchases duty-free and thus allowing them to avoid the formal customs entry process whereby incoming goods are monitored and inspected by various government agencies, including the CPSC. 

Most countries set these de minimis amounts at much lower levels than the current U.S. amount. Subject to fluctuations in exchange rates, Canada sets the level at $15, Mexico at $100, Japan at $90, South Korea at $150, and the European Union at $170. The de minimis duty-free import level for China is less than $10. While our prior level of $200 was comparable to these trading partners, the increase to $800 vastly exceeds these global norms. 

The increase in the de minimis threshold provides a clear competitive advantage for foreign retailers of consumer goods. Customers can shop online from internationally based retailers or manufacturers, which openly advertise the fact that tariffs are not collected on shipments below $800, and buy products duty-free. In essence, the law enables foreign businesses to set artificially low prices by avoiding tariffs on goods that would be collected if imported by U.S. businesses and sold domestically. This is especially true of bicycles, many e-bikes, and other bicycle products, the vast majority of which are valued at less than $800.

PeopleForBikes has been advocating for a lower domestic de minimis threshold since it was increased in 2016 and outlined the issue as a priority in our 2021 Trade Agenda. The sponsors of the newly proposed Import Security and Fairness Act introduced the bill to limit the import of products made with forced labor, intellectual property theft, and otherwise dangerous goods. 

So, how does this trade loophole connect back to electric bicycle safety?

Many powered micromobility products and replacement lithium ion batteries involved in the fires that have damaged New York City are imported directly to consumers from foreign sellers because they cost less than $800, therefore falling under the de minimis threshold. These products are cheaper than quality, safe electric bicycles and other powered micromobility products because they do not undergo or meet any third-party testing requirements. 

Moreover, because these foreign sellers may be beyond the reach of U.S. courts, they are largely able to avoid legal liability to their international consumers. Should the Import Security and Fairness Act be signed into law, or Congress otherwise agrees to lower the de minimis threshold, these unsafe, untested products would face more scrutiny on import and shippers would be required to pay any applicable duties.

The next step to increase consumer safety would be the adoption of new CPSC regulations to create clear standards for all lithium ion batteries used in mobility devices, including e-bikes, that currently avoid scrutiny under de minimis. The best way to protect the public from untested and unsafe lithium ion batteries is to be able to identify and turn them away at the border before they enter the United States.

This one-two punch of federal policy and trade and consumer product safety working together would help ensure that the e-mobility products that Americans need and want are as safe as possible. It would also shift the economic benefit from selling these products back to responsible manufacturers and retailers in the United States. This would be a big win for the government, the economy, and consumers alike.

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Topics

Trade and Tariffs