BRUSSELS, Belgium – The European Anti-Fraud Office OLAF is investigating the export of Malaysian bikes to Europe. A long established bicycle importer based in Cyprus informed Bike Europe that after an investigation by OLAF irregularities with Form A certificates of origin were found.
Malaysian made bikes that enter the EU are subject to standard Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) preferential treatment resulting in a reduced import duty of 10.5% (regular import duty is 14%).
The Cyprus importer said: “Last year we have imported in good faith, 3 containers with complete bicycles from a Malaysian manufacturer (officially registered as such at the Malaysian Authorities) who provided us an original FORM A certifying that the goods are of Malaysian origin.
“These bicycles were cleared from customs and all duties requested were paid. One year later the Cyprus Customs sent us a letter informing us that following an investigation by OLAF, it was discovered that the origin of these goods was not the one originally reported but their true origin was from China and that the goods were merely transhipped to Malaysia.
“They added that the certificate of origin (FORM A) was indeed issued by MITI (Ministry of International Trade and Industry) but the exporter provided false information to the Malaysian Authorities. Given the above, The Cyprus Customs demand from our company extra duties plus anti-dumping duties as well as penalties.”
The Cyprus import company further stated: “We believe that, you as a professional bicycle publisher have specialised knowledge and we kindly request you to give us your thoughts on this issue.”
Bike Europe answered: “Recently a similar case as yours happened to one of the biggest bike importers of the UK, the Tandem Group. See here for more on that case:
Further; we can direct you to the EU Trade Hearing Officer who is to address such cases and will provide you with more information about the exact rules & regulations the EU holds in this. For more on the Trade Hearing Officer; click here:
For more on EU laws with regard to the import of bicycles into the EU and for more information on the rules for the certificates of origin and FORM A documents click here:
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