Can You Import an Electric Bike to Taiwan?
HowBridge does not currently offer or operate any United States-to-Taiwan freight forwarding, purchasing-agent, or payment-agent service. The service does not currently exist, and there is no usable U.S. or Oregon warehouse address, no official rates, and no guaranteed transit times. Any warehouse names, shipping fees, or transit times mentioned elsewhere on this page are general market information only and do not represent services offered by this website. They must not be used to fill in a shipping address or place an order. If this route becomes available in the future, only the official website announcement and the terms then in effect will apply.
Last updated: 2026-09-01 — This page is a feasibility and regulatory guide; the US line is not yet launched.
Shippability Verdict: Three Scenarios, Clearly Sorted
Whether an electric bike can be shipped is not a simple yes-or-no: a complete China-made bike cannot be imported, not even one; non-China-made bikes can be imported but face a 20% tariff and still need to pass verification before they can be ridden on the road; traditional bikes without a motor come in normally at 6%.
Complete China-Made Electric Bikes
Electric bikes under tariff code 8711.60.20.00-7 carry the import restriction MW0 (mainland Chinese goods not permitted for import), and on March 10, 2026 the Ministry of Economic Affairs excluded electric scooters and complete electric bikes and controllers from the small-quantity license-free allowance — for China-made bikes, not even one is allowed, with no room for "personal use, small quantity." Violators can be fined up to 3 times the value of the goods and have the goods confiscated under the Customs Anti-smuggling Act.
Non-China-Made Electric Bikes
Bikes made outside mainland China (proof of origin required) can be imported, but: the tariff is 20% plus 5% business tax; to legally ride on the road it must pass type safety verification (personal use has an individual verification path allowing up to 3 units of the same type per year — see the road regulations section); and since the complete bike includes a large lithium battery, shipping is restricted for both air and postal channels (see the battery section). Work out both the cost and the process before you buy.
Traditional Bicycles (No Motor)
Ordinary two-wheeled bicycles (tariff code 8712.00.10 series) carry a tariff of only 6% with no MW0 restriction, and import normally; high-end road bikes and mountain bikes taking this route avoid the origin and verification issues that apply to electric bikes. See the Bicycle Equipment Import Guide for details.
Buying from a US official website, shipping to a US address, paying in US dollars — none of this affects the determination. What customs looks at is where the bike was manufactured (its country of origin): complete bikes from US brands like Aventon and Rad Power are mostly made in China, so buying them from the US does not change the fact that they still cannot be imported into Taiwan. Check the origin marking for that model (frame nameplate, outer box, customs documents) before you order, and if you are not sure, do not order.
Tariff Code and Taxes: The Tariff Is 20%, Not 17.5%
Electric bikes (including electrically power-assisted bicycles) fall under tariff code 8711.60.20.00-7 with a Column 1 tariff of 20%, plus 5% business tax; the "17.5%" figure circulating online is wrong.
| Item | Tariff Code | Column 1 Tariff | Import Restriction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric Bike / Electrically Power-Assisted Bicycle | 8711.60.20.00-7 | 20% | MW0 (China-made goods not permitted for import) |
| Electric Moped (Electric-Powered Bicycle) | 8711.60.10.00-9 | 18% | MW0 (same as above) |
| Folding Two-Wheeled Bicycle (No Motor) | 8712.00.10.10-9 | 6% | — |
| City and Touring Two-Wheeled Bicycles (No Motor) | 8712.00.10.30-5 | 6% | — |
Since a complete bike has a high unit price, the NT$2,000 duty-free threshold provides no practical benefit — it will always be exceeded, and the full amount is taxed. On the commodity tax side, the "motor vehicle" category under the Commodity Tax Act (which includes bicycles fitted with an auxiliary motor) carries a statutory rate of 17%, and there is also an exemption for electric vehicles extended through the end of 2030 — whether a given case is taxed or exempt is determined by the Ministry of Finance’s ruling and the customs authority’s final determination; this page does not make that determination on your behalf. Tariff codes are subject to the customs authority’s determination at the time of declaration.
Road Regulations: The Truth About Registration, Verification, and 25km/h
"No registration needed under 25km/h" is outdated, incorrect information — micro electric two-wheelers have required mandatory registration since November 30, 2022; electrically power-assisted bicycles are exempt from registration, but both must pass type verification.
| Item | Electrically Power-Assisted Bicycle | Micro Electric Two-Wheeler |
|---|---|---|
| Power Source | Primarily human power, electric assist | Primarily electric (may have a throttle) |
| Max Speed | 25 km/h or below | 25 km/h or below |
| Weight Limit | 40 kg or below | 40 kg excluding battery / 60 kg or below including battery |
| Type Verification | Must pass verification and display the verification approval label on the frame | Must pass verification |
| Registration | Exempt | Mandatory registration and compulsory insurance since 2022/11/30 |
| Age Limit | — | Must be at least 14 years old |
The legal definitions of both vehicle types appear in Article 69 of the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act, and the definition itself includes the requirement of "having passed type verification" — being slow enough does not automatically make it legal. Riding a micro electric two-wheeler on the road without registering and obtaining a plate as required can result in a fine of NT$1,200–3,600 for the rider; riders under 14 face an additional fine of NT$600–1,200.
US-spec Class 2 (throttle plus pedal assist, 32 km/h) and Class 3 (pedal assist, 45 km/h) both exceed the definitions of Taiwan’s two vehicle categories; a bike with a throttle falls under the micro electric two-wheeler category in Taiwan and must pass verification before it can be registered. "Locking the speed to 25 km/h yourself after buying it" does not make it legal — legal road use depends on verification. There is one path for personal use: under Article 9 of the Regulations Governing the Type Safety Verification of Electrically Power-Assisted Bicycles and Micro Electric Two-Wheelers, the same importer, same type and specification, for personal use, and no more than 3 units total per year, can apply for individual verification with proof of import and a signed declaration (a safety test report or equivalent technical documentation is still required) — it is not a zero-barrier path, so confirm the feasibility and required documents for that model with a vehicle safety verification body designated by the Ministry of Transportation and Communications before you order.
Lithium Battery Shipping Restrictions
E-bike batteries are typically 400–700Wh, far exceeding the 160Wh limit for air passenger transport — they cannot be carried onto a passenger flight, cannot be mailed, and must go through dangerous goods procedures for sea freight.
- Air: Under IATA regulations, lithium batteries over 160Wh may not be carried as passenger baggage and "must be shipped as cargo in accordance with the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR)"; a common 36V×13Ah battery already comes to about 468Wh.
- Mail: The US Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) states explicitly that large lithium batteries used for electric bikes, scooters, and similar devices are prohibited from mailing entirely, with even stricter restrictions for international mail.
- Sea freight: Lithium-ion batteries are classified as UN 3480, or UN 3481 when packed with equipment, and must be declared and packaged in accordance with the IMDG Code; whether a carrier will accept the shipment, cargo space, and required documents (such as an SDS) are subject to that carrier’s rules at the time — this page does not represent any shipping service.
- Taiwan side: BSMI’s mandatory inspection list does not include complete e-bikes (complete bikes go through the Ministry of Transportation and Communications’ verification system), but chargers and secondary lithium batteries are on BSMI’s mandatory inspection list (announced October 2017) — pay attention to inspection requirements if you import a battery or charger on its own.
Brands and Origins: Check This Before You Buy
Brand nationality ≠ manufacturing location. Shippability is determined by country of origin, and different models under the same brand may be made in different places — check the "Made in" marking on the nameplate and outer box for each specific model before you order. Here are the brands Taiwanese buyers ask about most:
1. Specialized (US Brand)
Its mainline series include Turbo Vado (commuter), Turbo Levo (mountain), and Turbo Como. Origins vary by model, so confirm the country of origin for each specific unit; Taiwan has an official distribution and service network, and for a product like an e-bike that needs warranty and firmware support, the value of buying through the Taiwan channel far outweighs the price difference.
2. Trek (US Brand)
Its mainline series include Allant+ (commuter), Rail (mountain), and Domane+ (road), using Bosch/TQ motor systems. Origin likewise varies by model; Taiwan has a distribution network, so ask first about plans to bring the model to Taiwan.
3. Aventon (US Brand)
Designed in California, but the complete bikes are mainly manufactured in China — China-made electric bikes cannot be imported into Taiwan, not even one, and this does not change even if you buy from the US official website. This is the point where older online guides most often mislead people.
4. Rad Power Bikes (US Brand)
A direct-to-consumer brand founded in Seattle; complete bikes are mostly manufactured in Asia (including China) — check the country of origin for that model before ordering; if it is China-made, it cannot be imported into Taiwan.
5. Tern (Headquartered in Taipei)
A folding and cargo e-bike brand (HSD, GSD, Vektron) headquartered in Taipei, with full distribution and service in Taiwan — for a brand like this, buying an already-verified bike through the Taiwan channel directly avoids every regulatory issue that comes with importing.
The Legal Path Forward
If you want to ride an e-bike, consider these paths in order — the earlier ones are the least hassle:
- Prioritize Verified Bikes Sold Through Taiwan ChannelsElectrically power-assisted bicycles and micro electric two-wheelers sold in Taiwan have already passed type verification (power-assisted bikes carry a verification approval label on the frame), with full warranty and firmware support. International brands (Specialized, Trek, Tern, and others) all have distributors in Taiwan.
- If the Model You Want Is Not in Taiwan, Ask the Distributor FirstAsking the Taiwan distributor for that brand about plans to bring in the model saves the triple cost of verification, shipping, and warranty that comes with importing it yourself.
- If You Decide to Import It Yourself, Clear Three Gates Before You Order① Confirm the country of origin is not mainland China (obtain proof of origin) ② confirm with a vehicle safety verification body whether individual self-use verification is feasible for that model and what documents are needed (no more than 3 units per year, safety test report required) ③ confirm a shipping plan for the lithium battery. If any one of the three gates cannot be cleared, do not order.
- The Traditional Bicycle RouteRoad bikes and mountain bikes without a motor (tariff code 8712, 6% tariff) import normally, with no country-of-origin ban or verification issue — this is actually the main route serious cyclists use for buying bikes from overseas.
- Declare Truthfully via EZWayWhichever route you take, declare the item name truthfully and keep complete transaction records for customs valuation. See the EZWay Guide for details.
Frequently Asked Questions About Importing Electric Bikes
The HowBridge US line is not yet launched; the answers below are regulatory and feasibility explanations only, and do not represent a service that is currently available.
E-Bike: Confirm Shippability and Legal Road Use Before Talking Price
The HowBridge US line is in preparation and not yet launched. The three hurdles for importing an electric bike — the country-of-origin ban, the 20% tariff, and verification and registration — each matter more than the shipping cost; check first, then decide.
See Published Shipping Guides →