The current import tariff on bicycle products from China sums to 66%, including the 11% base duty, 25% Section 301 tariffs, 20% fentanyl tariffs, and the 10% baseline tariff. Electric bicycles have a 55% tariff and most bicycle components have a duty between 55% to 65%.
Tariffs on Electric Bikes Update: June 2025
Written by: Rémy Rossi | May 31, 2025 | Time to read 5 min
Tariffs are hitting the brakes on bicycles and e-Bikes. Here’s the very latest to get you up to speed on the current tariffs and why Upway is uniquely positioned to stay affordable.
More about the Author: Remy Rossi
Rémy Rossi is a bike writer, mechanic, and educator who got his start in community-based bike shops and co-ops. With a decade in the industry, he still wrenches on bikes when he can and plays bike polo on a fixie.
The tariffs imposed by the Trump administration have undergone yet another shift, but it’s becoming increasingly probable that some sort of tariff hike is here to stay. Bike brands and manufacturers are already responding with higher prices, specific surcharges, or closures of their US offices. As we stand in late May 2025, I’ll update you on the most recent changes to the tariffs and related news from across the industry.
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What’s the latest?
The biggest news this month was the agreement between the US and China on a 90-day pause on the sky-high tariffs introduced by both countries in April. It lowers the overall US tariff on imports from China to 30%, rather than the previous 145%, while China taxes goods coming from the US at a rate of 10%, down from 125%. That combined tariff of 30% is the sum of the 10% baseline tariff and the 20% fentanyl tariff, designed to put pressure on China to crack down on the drug’s production and distribution.
Total tariff on bikes & e-Bikes
The recent US-China tariff agreement is especially important to the bike industry because of the reliance on parts and components sourced from China. Factories in China and Taiwan make an overwhelming share of frames and parts necessary for the production of bicycles and electric bikes. US bike companies pay the tariff when they receive the Chinese goods, subsequently passing on a portion or all of the tariff cost to consumers, and that means higher prices.
PeopleForBikes’ May report calculated the current tariff: “the total import tariff on most bikes from China remains at 66% due to previously imposed tariffs. The 66% import tariff is calculated by combining the 11% base duty, 25% Section 301 tariffs, 20% fentanyl tariffs, plus the newly announced 10% reciprocal rate. Electric bicycles will have a 55% duty, and most bicycle parts/components will have a 55–65% duty.”
Even despite the recent agreement on lower tariffs, PeopleForBikes claims that “these tariff levels are unlikely to stimulate imports or support U.S. manufacturers, and consumer goods will likely continue to see price increases”. The bottom line is that electric bikes are slated to get more expensive, all without a significant amount of manufacturing operations moving to the US.
Bike brands are already responding
The increased tariffs pose serious obstacles for the industry, and bike brands are already announcing how they plan to deal with them. These announcements add a level of transparency for consumers, rather than simply raising the MSRP of products, which may happen industry-wide.
Folding e-Bike and cargo e-Bike maker Tern also found itself in a pickle with US shipments that hadn’t cleared customs, potentially leaving the Taiwan-based brand on the hook for around $1 million in tariff fees. Aventon stated that it shifted its e-Bike production to Thailand in early 2025 to limit the effect of tariffs. Despite the change, the brand explained that making e-Bikes in the US is not practical unless the parts tariffs are lifted, from a range of countries such as China, Thailand, and Vietnam— even then, I think moving production to the US won’t be feasible.
Bicycle Retailer has done a great job of tracking these announcements. State Bicycle Co. shared that it will apply an 8% tariff recovery fee to its products, and popular Trek and Electra brands informed retailers that the bike prices for most of their models will rise soon. Specialized also announced a 10% tariff surcharge on certain B2B invoices to help cover the cost of increased tariffs. Spanish bike component brand Rotor will be closing its US office in June, deciding to ship products to American customers from its Madrid warehouse instead.
Folding e-Bike and cargo e-Bike maker Tern also found itself in a pickle with US shipments that hadn’t cleared customs, potentially leaving the Taiwan-based brand on the hook for around $1 million in tariff fees. Aventon stated that it shifted its e-Bike production to Thailand in early 2025 to limit the effect of tariffs. Despite the change, the brand explained that making e-Bikes in the US is not practical unless the parts tariffs are lifted, from a range of countries such as China, Thailand, and Vietnam— even then, I think moving production to the US won’t be feasible.
Tariffs affect Upway less
In the face of these tariff roller coasters, Upway remains an excellent place to find your next e-Bike at a great place. Tariffs affect Upway less because we don’t manufacture bikes, avoiding the added cost of increased tariffs on parts and components coming from other countries.
We source used e-Bikes from inside the US, refurbish them domestically, and resell them in the US market. So while the tariffs are impacting the industry in a significant way, Upway is in a slightly better position. Upway isn’t subject to import tariffs, and we have potential access to the 2–3 million pre-tariff bikes already in the US. That means Upway prices can remain low while prices of new e-Bikes may increase.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the tariffs on electric bikes?
What is the warranty on Upway bikes?
Upway offers a one-year limited warranty on all its e-Bikes that covers mechanical and electrical defects. We also provide guaranteed delivery and will compensate as warranted in the rare case of any shipping damage.
Key Takeways
- New US-China tariff deal temporarily lowers rates, but most e-Bikes still face a combined 55–66% import duty— prices are set to rise.
- Bike brands are reacting fast with surcharges, price hikes, and even U.S. office closures to offset growing costs.
- Upway is less affected by tariffs thanks to its U.S.-based refurbishing model— keeping e-Bike prices lower and stable for American buyers.
