EU Renews Anti-Dumping Duties for Bikes Imported from China for 5 Years

The European governing body officially renewed anti-dumping duties on October 6, 2011 for bikes imported from China at 48.5 percent for the next five years.

"Their conclusion is that the continuation of measures on imports of bicycles originating in the People's Republic of China would clearly be in the interest of the Union industry, the consumers and in the interest of the Union suppliers of bicycle parts," said Brian Montgomery, chairman of the European Bicycle Manufacturers' Association (EBMA).

The EU began its review of anti-dumping measures applicable to bikes originating in China last summer, responding to requests from EBMA. Today, it published the results of that study and the new anti-dumping regulations in the Official Journal of the European Community L 261.

The review found that the EU bicycle producer market share fell from 56 percent in 2007 to 54.7 percent last year. Over the same period the number of people employed making bikes has fallen from 14,925 to 13,646. And it noted that given excess capacity in China and past behavior of Chinese exporters on foreign markets, any repeal of the anti-dumping measures would continue to injure EU makers.

Accell, Decathlon, Cycleurope, Cenver, Derby, MIFA, Sprick Rowery, UAB, Pantherwerke and Onyx provided information from bike manufacturers within the EU. Only two Chinese bike makers provided information to the review, Pyama and Tianjin Golden Wheel.

Bicycle imports from Taiwan, Thailand and Sri Lanka also were examined as large exporters into the market. The review noted that imports from Taiwan and Thailand sell for a higher price than similar bikes produced by EU manufacturers, but imports from Sri Lanka may injure domestic makers.