European Union authorities are ramping up efforts to tackle customs evasion practices, specifically targeting split shipments and post-entry bicycle assembly. According to the European Public Prosecutor's Office's (EPPO) 2025 annual report, post-import assembly operations are becoming an increasingly common tactic to circumvent costly customs duties.
Singapore-based DuTech Holding Ltd. is rapidly snapping up a series of companies in the bicycle industry. As a global player in cash-handling machines (ATMs), the company is now also eyeing the bicycle industry, particularly in Europe. As the bicycle industry's financial position has remained weak since the aftermath of the pandemic, this strategic investor is a welcome guest for many companies.
BRUSSELS, Belgium - The European Commission announced that the European Union will continue to apply the existing import measures, such as import duties or anti-dumping measures on bicycles from China, as there is no valid reason to lift them. To prevent circumvention, the European Commission considers it necessary to apply these duties to all bicycles made in China, plus all shipments from seven countries. A total of 13 bicycle manufacturers across these countries are exempt from this measure.
ATHENS, Greece - A coordinated raid by the European Public Prosecutor's Office in June 2025 has resulted in the arrest of six individuals, the seizure of 2,435 shipping containers and an estimated €250 million worth of e-bikes, textiles and footwear. Customs officers were among those arrested. Since the raid, Greek customs authorities have reported higher compliance, with importers at the port of Piraeus declaring similar goods at prices closer to their actual value.
MONTREUIL, France - French authorities have uncovered a vast financial fraud network in a large-scale investigation that involved over 70,000 Chinese-made e-bikes across six storage sites in the country. The losses amount to €6 million.
LONDON, England - The UK's Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) has recommended that anti-dumping duties on bicycles and certain bicycle components imported from China remain in force until 30 August 2029. While the UK government could technically reject the TRA's advice, the move signals strong continuity with EU trade policy, where similar measures remain in place.
