Importing Electric Bike

[OMGVape]

I've got a container ready to ship soon and I'm thinking of buying an electric bike from China to put in the container.

What are the requirements regarding customs, safe shipping etc?

I've asked my shipping agent but they just suggested I contact HMRC.

 

[MOIC]

The electric bike supplier should be able to give you pointers to ship the product safely, but doubt your main supplier will want it included in the container as they will have to declare it and will cause problems due to the lithium battery.

As an option to keep the container 'safe' it should be possible to ship the lithium battery separately, albeit at an expensive cost.

 

[HFE Signs]

Some guidance here: https://goodlogisticsgroup.com/importing-from-china/

 

[OMGVape]

The electric bike supplier should be able to give you pointers to ship the product safely, but doubt your main supplier will want it included in the container as they will have to declare it and will cause problems due to the lithium battery.

As an option to keep the container 'safe' it should be possible to ship the lithium battery separately, albeit at an expensive cost.

Thanks for this.

Its a retail purchase (bike for personal use) so its unlikely the shop can advise on export.

Our factory are willing to put one in the container but who is responsible for safety when in transit?

Good idea about posting battery separately.

 

[OMGVape]

Some guidance here: https://goodlogisticsgroup.com/importing-from-china/

Yeah, there are thousands if websites like this but I'm asking here to save brain damage clicking links all day. Hopefully someone with first hand experience.

 

[Mike Godwin]

Ask your supplier to load the bike into the container without the battery and just put 'road bicycle' on the commercial invoice/packing list with the value, Then ship the battery separately as will be classed as dangerous goods and will require a DGN and appropriate packaging. This will be expensive. Other option is to source the same battery in the UK and loose the shipping costs.

 

[MOIC]

Our factory are willing to put one in the container but who is responsible for safety when in transit?

I wouldn't advise putting the battery in the container, as this will 'contaminate' the container. Send the battery separately is your best bet, it will still be cheaper than sourcing the same in the UK.

If it's a bike made for Chinese people, I would check all measurements first. Bikes in China are made for small people! You might be uncomfortable, as the measurements are different.

 

[OMGVape]

Ask your supplier to load the bike into the container without the battery and just put 'road bicycle' on the commercial invoice/packing list with the value, Then ship the battery separately as will be classed as dangerous goods and will require a DGN and appropriate packaging. This will be expensive. Other option is to source the same battery in the UK and loose the shipping costs.

Thanks - I'm sure we can get the battery spec then look into either posting or source in UK

 

[OMGVape]

I wouldn't advise putting the battery in the container, as this will 'contaminate' the container. Send the battery separately is your best bet, it will still be cheaper than sourcing the same in the UK.

If it's a bike made for Chinese people, I would check all measurements first. Bikes in China are made for small people! You might be uncomfortable, as the measurements are different.

The bike is for my wife, she's Chinese, and used to work for a Chinese bike manufacturer until last year ;-)

 

[MOIC]

The bike is for my wife, she's Chinese, and used to work for a Chinese bike manufacturer until last year ;-)

You're one step ahead of me!

 

[IanSuth]

Check it meets uk specs as some plod are actually starting to check

to be a eapc it has to have a max sustained power of 250w, max assisted speed of 15.8mph and not have a throttle that allows you to pull away from stop without pedal assist

If it does not meet that it is an emoped and thus all those rules like CBT, insurance, tax helmet apply

 

[OMGVape]

You're one step ahead of me!

Take that step, you will never regret it