Huge police bust on European ebike imports
Posted by toocontroversial_4u@reddit | ebikes | View on Reddit | 15 comments
It seems as though Greece had become one of Europe's major import hus for ebikes. Importers were allegedly utilizing "connections" to flag bikes imported from China as something like tires to avoid EUs very high tariffs on Chinese ebikes.
Of course there are more import countries but I'm getting a sense that if EU authorities continue this pressure it'll become very hard finding affordable ebikes.
Src: https://www.eppo.europa.eu/en/media/news/investigation-calypso-eppo-strikes-criminal-networks-flooding-eu-fraudulent-chinese
What do you think?
KostyaFedot@reddit
I'm in Belgium. My ebike is from LBS, Giant made. Warranty and such. Those are real people, real service. Not Amazon, AB BS straight from China.
I won't buy anything frome Greece. They didn't make anything.
toocontroversial_4u@reddit (OP)
Giant is made in China 😭
KostyaFedot@reddit
Taiwan, the Netherlands, China and Hungary.
Xxmeow123@reddit
According to the article, It's lots of products that are avoiding import tax and other fees. But keeping out shitty ebikes is a plus.
toocontroversial_4u@reddit (OP)
Aren't most components for big brands made in china anyway?
shaakunthala@reddit
*According to the regulated EU standards, yes.
shaakunthala@reddit
I hope it happens in the Netherlands too. There is a lot of illegal "ebikes", mostly popular among teenagers, and it's a disaster here. By "illegal" I mean they are not compliant with EU regulations. Therefore, as an EU national I fully support this crackdown.
toocontroversial_4u@reddit (OP)
EU regulation also stated only 250W and lower ebikes should be treated as bikes. I'm pretty sure 99% of this subreddit is out of spec 😁
DetectiveVinc@reddit
The 250W is more of a suggestion, than an actual regulation. Its nominal continuous power. The manufacturer only has to make sure, that the motor doesn't exceed 250W (mechanical!) in its thermal equilibrium. So the motor will output much more only until it starts to overheat from continuous load.
Duct_TapeOrWD40@reddit
Actually.... one of my bikes copmply all EU regulation. (Obviously not the 2 stroke one.....)
jkibbe@reddit
99% is either not in the EU or doesn't care 🤣🤷🏻♀️
toocontroversial_4u@reddit (OP)
Well that's kind of the point. Road safety isn't improved by making prices higher for everyone though customs.
Tank-Pilot74@reddit
The amount of fat bikes in amstelveen that have “throttles” is mind blowing..!
CarlaCyclamen10yo@reddit
Wow, e-bikes are *definitely* the real crime here. 🙄🚓
GeorgianaDaisy07hb@reddit
Wow, e-bikes are *definitely* the real crime here. 🙄