How to Import Bicycles from China?

Estimated reading time: 9 minutes

Do you want to import bicycles from China? Give it a try. Importing bicycles from China is a great choice. The fact remains that China is one of the largest exporters of bicycles in the world.

Statistical information reveals that bicycle exports from China in 2022 stand at $3.72 billion. This indicates the popularity of buying from China.

Let me give you detailed information that would be useful when importing bicycles from China. This process may be dangerous and can be characterized by certain risks and difficulties, including being deceived by Chinese suppliers. Don’t worry, we will provide you with pointers and marginalia to help steer clear of these mistakes.

Why choose to import bicycles from China?

China currently boasts of being the world’s largest exporter of bicycles. Indications of China sales in 2021 show that it exported bicycles worth $5.06 billion. If you want to import bicycles it is advisable to source and buy from China as it will be most suitable for your business.

The USA’s top bicycle import countries in 2022 were:

• China: $751 million
• Taiwan: $700 million
• Cambodia: $378 million
• Vietnam: $114 million
• Indonesia: $53.6 million

Among developing countries, China and Taiwan are preferred due to their affordable, quality production line. 

1. Advanced Manufacturing Capabilities

It’s a fact that China holds the title of being the largest manufacturer of bicycles in the world. China has the techniques and structures of manufacturing technology that guarantee the quality and efficiency of the products being manufactured.

USA also have domestic bicycle manufacturing industry and also export bicycles while the bicycle market in USA mainly depends on Imports. In the year 2022, it imported bicycles valued over 2. 2 billion and was earning by exporting bicycles world of the value of only 171 million.

A significant number of bicycles imported to the United States are produced in China. In the first half of 2023, over eight in every ten bicycles imported into the country came from there.

From: Statista

2. Low Production Cost

China is known for its competitive pricing due to lower labor and production costs.

China’s advantage in large-scale production enables its extensive manufacturing base to create vast quantities of goods at a reduced cost per unit. This ability to produce in high volumes leads to a decrease in the total manufacturing costs.

Furthermore, labor expenses in China remain comparatively lower than in numerous other nations. Data from Statista reveals that the hourly labor cost in Chinese manufacturing is $5.50. This is significantly lower when compared to the United States, where the average hourly labor cost in manufacturing is approximately $26.53!

3. Diverse Product Selection

Chinese manufacturers offer various bicycle types, designs, and specifications. This variety enables you to find products that best suit their market’s needs and preferences.

If you are new to the bicycle import business, there’s no need to worry. In the next section of this article, we will show you the common types of bicycles.

4. Accept Customized Product Requirements

Another advantage of importing bicycles from China is that these Chinese suppliers accommodate your custom product requirements. These suppliers utilize their advanced manufacturing equipment to create customized products that meet the needs of your market.

What are the common types of bicycles?

Bicycles are extensively used in daily life, leading to a multitude of types designed for various locations and suitable for different groups of people. Listing all of them might be overwhelming.

But don’t worry. Here are the Six most common types of bicycles for you. You can use these according to the requirements of your target market.

1. Road Bikes: Characteristic for paved roads which are designed mostly for speed and functionality. These bicycles own thin rims and thin tubes, and the chair-like seating is slightly extended forward of the vertical position.
2. Mountain Bikes: Special for off-road use, they have a solid framework, large tires, and suspension control parts suitable for uneven ground.
3. Touring bikes: Enduring bikes are ideal for riders who have planned to cover many miles. These bikes provide a more or less upright rider position and their bicycles have robust structures, carriers, and panniers to carry luggage.
4. Folding Bikes: These bikes can be unassembled into forms, which is convenient to transport and convenient to store it, is ideal for people who work in big cities or for those people who do not have enough space in their homes for bicycles.
5. Electric Bikes: These bicycles are designed with motor assistance, which helps with pedaling particularly for long distances or inclined regions.
6. Kids’ Bikes: These bikes come in several types and different sizes depending on the age of the child because their safety and the comfort they need while riding are important.

Note: Selecting the right type of bicycle that would be suitable for your niche market.

How to find bicycle suppliers in China?

The identification of the supplier for importing bicycles from China is very important. To achieve this, you have to do some work of finding information on your own. But don’t worry, the following is some advice that will help you make this process easier.

1. Online Marketplaces

Sourcing can also be done through online wholesale B2B marketplaces which include the Alibaba site, Made in China, or the Global Sources. Many of these platforms also list a great number of suppliers and provide extensive information on the products they offer, their company, and customers’ feedback.

On these online platforms, you can find any product you need, including bicycles from China. Moreover, it allows you to more easily compare prices from different suppliers. For further information, you can read this article: Buy from 1688.COM

However, please note: A lower price does not necessarily mean higher quality.

2. Trade Shows and Fairs

Trade shows are very good ways to schedule appointments with suppliers, see the materials and goods personally, and build a business partnership. On these occasions, suppliers take a series of bicycles and showcase their products to the people, their main intention is sourcing. One should attend these trade shows which normally occur twice in a calendar year.

They enable a chance to get more information about the features and the cost of the bicycles which can help in getting the right supplier. Some of the famous trade fairs marked for trade business include the Canton Fair, the Yiwu Trade Fair, and particularly the Shanghai import and export commodity fairs.

3. Internet

Some of the good search engines that can be used for this exercise include Google or Bing; one can then type words like ‘Chinese bicycle manufacturers’ or ‘wholesale bicycles China’.

For further information about the company and the bicycles they provide you need to use search engines to find their websites. Moreover, many people over the internet contacts and social media can also know other customers’ experiences regarding the particular supplier. It is also an approach to establishing whether the Chinese supplier is reliable or not.

More Related Articles:

• How to Verify Chinese Supplier’s Legitimacy?
• How to Find a Manufacturer in China?
• Warranties & Refunds When Buying from China

4. Hiring a Sourcing Agent

One of the smartest decisions you can make is to hire a China sourcing agent. They can guide you at the market, to come up with the right sources of supply, to negotiate for the terms and conditions as well as to arrange for the quality check. Sourcing agents are most beneficial if you are not certain about the Chinese market, or if you do not know Mandarin.

What is the cost of importing bicycles from China?

It means that the cost of importing bicycles from China is not constant. This is true because bicycles come in numerous types and it is not out of place that some of them are made of different material types. Therefore, we need to analyze based on the different types of bicycles:

Tip: Do you know about MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity)? Bulk orders typically allow you to obtain more favorable prices.

How to avoid potential risks in importing bicycles from China?

1. Supplier Research and Verification

Conduct thorough background checks on potential suppliers. This includes verifying their business registration, history, and reputation. If possible, visit the supplier’s factory to personally assess their capabilities and conditions. Ask for and check references from the supplier’s other customers, and look for online reviews or ratings.

2. Quality Control

All the agreed-upon characteristics of the product and quality should also be identified before entering into the partnership. Employ third-party inspection agencies to conduct the Agreement and Post Purchase Inspection on the bicycles. It makes sure that before making substantial purchases, it will order product samples so that it can establish their quality and suitability.

3. Clear and Detailed Contracts

Where the product is complex or subject to bespoke or customized to clients’ specifications, make sure that the contract identifies and addresses product features, quality standards, payment terms, delivery schedules, and any conditions where either party will be limited in their rights in the event of non-contractual performance. Consult a legal adviser over the contract preferably with some experience in Chinese contract laws and international contracts.

4. Regular Monitoring and Follow-Up

Do not leave your supplier to their own devices instead stay in touch to check progress and solve problems when necessary. Always be prepared to change the strategies according to the productivity and dependability of the supplier.

Note: Ensure that all oral expressions , written communications, and written or oral agreements are filed for future use.

Importing Bicycles to the USA: Regulations and Costs

If you want to import bicycles into the USA you have to fulfill numerous regulations that different federal agencies set. This is a breakdown of some of the regulations and computation for the total import values;

Key Regulatory Agencies

• Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

1. Little documentary support is often required for bike imports.
2. For any shipment whose value is greater than 2500$, there is a need to bond the cargo (Single bond or continuous).
3. Importers are required to present a bill of lading, commercial invoice as well as CBP forms.

• Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)

1. Bicycles are required to meet the requirements contained in the Code of Federal Regulations Title 16, Part 1512.
2. There are vital stipulations such as; the elimination of sharp points on the frame, robust components on the frame, and an adequately tested braking mechanism.
3. Some components including brakes, steering systems, and pedals are subject to further examination.
4. They must provide the instructions for the assembly of the product, a list of tools, and manufacturers’ information.

Bicycles Import Costs and Duty Rates for Importing US

• HTS Code: bicycles are headed under 8712.00 while electric bikes are headed under 8711.60.
• Duty Rate: It ranges from 5.5% to 11%, depending on the bike’s features.
• E-Bikes: Normally carried duty-free though if imported from China they attract a duty of 25%.

Bicycles Cost Calculation Formula for Importing US

• Locate the dutiable value of your shipment.
• Transform the duty rate from the percentage format and divide it by one hundred to obtain a decimal value.
• Subtract the standard shipping cost from the price achieved through home shipping to settle on the duty figure: shipment value per transaction * the duty rate.
• There will be the addition of duty amount to the dutiable value for the total cost.

E-Bikes: Special Considerations for Importing US

E-bikes that can reach speeds over 20mph or that are designed for on-road use (lights, mirrors, etc.) may be categorized as motorcycles and thus be controlled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). For Class 1 through Class 3 e-bikes, standard procedures governing the importation of bicycles should be applied. Remember, e-bikes have a higher price point because of their higher level of difficulty in construction.

Read More:

• Tips to Buy and Import From China to the USA
• Latest Trends in Alibaba Scams 
• How to Import from China to India 
• A Complete Overview of Alibaba Trade Assurance for Beginners!
• How to Safely Source on Alibaba

Final Thoughts

Do you also consider importing bicycles from China to your country as a profitable chance by the end of this article? Well, this comes with the price of having to spend some time trying to look for a good and reputable supplier of bicycles together with scheduling time to source for bicycles. Where possible it is important to manage and avoid various risks and challenges that may be encountered when undertaking this process.

If you are having any problem sourcing products in China, then it would be advisable to get the help of a China sourcing agent. You get help in tackling most of the problems you are likely to come across. Therefore, you should not be too concerned.

Owlsourcing can assist an organization in identifying the right suppliers to work with and also monitoring the right quality. This explains why owlsourcing is your best provider of all your sourcing needs from sourcing to the delivery of products and services accompanied by a professional after-sales team to make your experience in the purchasing process as positive as possible.

If you are interested in cooperating with us or you still have some questions about bicycles imported from China – please feel free to contact us.