Antidumping Duties and Electric Bikes: Pay Attention to Classification

Importing components from abroad? Beware, correct customs classification has never been more critical! A recent preliminary ruling to the European Court of Justice sheds light on the risks associated with assembling parts to circumvent antidumping duties, with potentially enormous consequences for operators.

⚡️ Classification at risk: the e-bike case The practice of importing parts of finished products for assembly in the EU, with the aim of avoiding antidumping duties applied to complete products, is under scrutiny. This has happened with Chinese-origin electric bicycles: many importers classified components separately, then performed a "mere reassembly" in Europe. This strategy was challenged by customs authorities, who considered it an attempt to circumvent the Union's protectionist measures.

🇪🇺 EU duties and rulings: a warning for all The EU introduced definitive antidumping and countervailing duties on Chinese e-bikes (Reg. UE n. 2019/72 and 2019/73) precisely to protect European producers. The issue of correct classification is now the subject of a preliminary reference to the General Court of the European Union (case T-529/25), which will have to clarify the application of interpretative rule 2 a) of the Nomenclatura Combinata. The outcome of this case will have vast implications, setting an important precedent on how incomplete parts, yet possessing the essential characteristics of the finished product, should be classified and taxed.

🎯 What to do - Review your classifications: Carefully re-examine the tariff classifications of imported components that are subsequently assembled into finished products in the EU. - Consult customs experts: If in doubt, seek support to ensure the correct application of classification rules and prevent disputes and penalties. - Monitor the outcome of case T-529/25: Future decisions by the European Court of Justice could redefine operational practices for many sectors.