Buying bikes in China - cost vs potential fakes?
09-02-24, 11:37 AM
#51
Only very specific products from China are tariffed. And the E-bike tariff was suspended. Bicycles are not subject to any China specific tariffs.
https://ustr.gov/issue-areas/enforce...tariff-actions
https://ustr.gov/issue-areas/enforce...tariff-actions
Then Trump slapped on his famous 25% China tariff. Over the past few years Biden has offered a sometimes on, sometimes off exclusion for certain bicycle products. These specific products are:
"All children’s bikes and some electric bikes, as well as adult bikes with belt drives. Some adult single-speed bikes, some carbon fiber frames (below $600 value), some helmets, some bike trailers, and some messenger bags, backpacks, hydration packs and duffel bags."
Unfortunately none of these tariff exclusions are interesting to the typical bike enthusiast like us. We are not buying childrens' bikes, single speed bikes, or carbon frames cheaper than $600. The exclusions are meant to help working class families afford bikes for their kids, etc. It's all politics to "reduce inflation".
Anyway it doesn't matter in any case, because even these useless exclusions were allowed to expire earlier this year. As of right now the 25% tariff applies to everything, including all e-bikes.
Feel free to digest the history of Trump tariffs against bikes at your leisure. This page has news updates dating all the way back.
https://www.bicycleretailer.com/trade-tariffs
All that, plus the cost of shipping, plus the import logistics overhead, plus extra middlemen taking their cuts, is why bikes are so much cheaper when bought locally in China. It's a domestic manufactured good over there. Shimano has a factory in China too. SRAM is made in Taiwan.
Last edited by Yan; 09-02-24 at 11:50 AM.
09-02-24, 12:36 PM
#52
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https://www.amazon.com/s?k=shimano&m...ref=nb_sb_noss
09-02-24, 01:02 PM
#53
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And pretty certain Competitive Cyclist is a Shimano dealer
CompCyclistONAmzn
CompCyclistONAmzn
09-02-24, 01:30 PM
#54
Bicycle imports are first subject to 11% regular duty, which has nothing to do with China.
Then Trump slapped on his famous 25% China tariff. Over the past few years Biden has offered a sometimes on, sometimes off exclusion for certain bicycle products. These specific products are:
"All children’s bikes and some electric bikes, as well as adult bikes with belt drives. Some adult single-speed bikes, some carbon fiber frames (below $600 value), some helmets, some bike trailers, and some messenger bags, backpacks, hydration packs and duffel bags."
Unfortunately none of these tariff exclusions are interesting to the typical bike enthusiast like us. We are not buying childrens' bikes, single speed bikes, or carbon frames cheaper than $600. The exclusions are meant to help working class families afford bikes for their kids, etc. It's all politics to "reduce inflation".
Anyway it doesn't matter in any case, because even these useless exclusions were allowed to expire earlier this year. As of right now the 25% tariff applies to everything, including all e-bikes.
Feel free to digest the history of Trump tariffs against bikes at your leisure. This page has news updates dating all the way back.
https://www.bicycleretailer.com/trade-tariffs
All that, plus the cost of shipping, plus the import logistics overhead, plus extra middlemen taking their cuts, is why bikes are so much cheaper when bought locally in China. It's a domestic manufactured good over there. Shimano has a factory in China too. SRAM is made in Taiwan.
Then Trump slapped on his famous 25% China tariff. Over the past few years Biden has offered a sometimes on, sometimes off exclusion for certain bicycle products. These specific products are:
"All children’s bikes and some electric bikes, as well as adult bikes with belt drives. Some adult single-speed bikes, some carbon fiber frames (below $600 value), some helmets, some bike trailers, and some messenger bags, backpacks, hydration packs and duffel bags."
Unfortunately none of these tariff exclusions are interesting to the typical bike enthusiast like us. We are not buying childrens' bikes, single speed bikes, or carbon frames cheaper than $600. The exclusions are meant to help working class families afford bikes for their kids, etc. It's all politics to "reduce inflation".
Anyway it doesn't matter in any case, because even these useless exclusions were allowed to expire earlier this year. As of right now the 25% tariff applies to everything, including all e-bikes.
Feel free to digest the history of Trump tariffs against bikes at your leisure. This page has news updates dating all the way back.
https://www.bicycleretailer.com/trade-tariffs
All that, plus the cost of shipping, plus the import logistics overhead, plus extra middlemen taking their cuts, is why bikes are so much cheaper when bought locally in China. It's a domestic manufactured good over there. Shimano has a factory in China too. SRAM is made in Taiwan.
Of course stuff costs less in the country it was made in. I bought a discounted BMW in Germany. That's the way things work, and no one is surprised you can buy a cheaper Chinese bike in China.
09-02-24, 01:45 PM
#55
Maybe this will motivate brands to start building factories in America again. Just kidding, they'll just move to Vietnam. This stuff is never coming back to America as long as there is even one third world country still in existence out there. Meanwhile we all pay through the roof. What a brilliant plan.
https://www.bikenews.online/index.ph...article_id=670
Did you have to pay a tax to bring that car back to the US, or do you live in Germany now?
Last edited by Yan; 09-02-24 at 01:52 PM.
09-02-24, 06:00 PM
#56
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-Merida is massive and mostly owned by Specialized...they are getting components at significantly lower prices.
Even if the bike ends up being fake, my initial comment stands- I don't get why anyone would fake the bike. It's just doesn't seem worth the time or effort.
Even if the bike ends up being fake, my initial comment stands- I don't get why anyone would fake the bike. It's just doesn't seem worth the time or effort.
09-03-24, 08:04 AM
#57
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The point of that comment doesnt change though- the brand is massive and gets massive discounts on components, so its pointless to cite retail component costs since Merida isnt paying close to retail for the components.
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