Sourcing commercial exercise bikes from China
Commercial exercise bikes from China fall within exercise-equipment lines carrying 2% UK duty, with no duty variation between those lines. Products supplied for consumer use must be safe. Specify resistance, rider adjustments and service parts before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources commercial exercise bikes.
UK duty on commercial exercise bikes
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, heading 9506 covers exercise and sports equipment. Its adjustable-resistance exercise-apparatus line, 9506 91 10 00, carries 2% duty for goods from China. Other general exercise equipment under 9506 91 90 00 also carries 2%. The table shows bike configurations within the adjustable-resistance line, rather than separate tariff subdivisions.
The supplied exercise-equipment lines show no anti-dumping or countervailing duty and no suspension. They attach cat and dog fur import and export controls and a cultural-goods export licence measure. Imports and exports of cat and dog fur products are banned, so exclude such materials from saddle covers and accessories. Ask your customs broker to confirm how the attached controls apply to the declared goods.
Confirm the commodity code against the actual resistance mechanism and shipment contents, including separately supplied spares. For the wider heading, see commercial rowing machines.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upright exercise bikes with adjustable resistance | 9506 91 10 00 | 2% | None |
Specify resistance, rider fit and commercial use
State whether the bike is upright, recumbent or intended for indoor cycling. Specify magnetic, friction or fan resistance, how resistance changes, belt or chain drive, fixed or freewheeling pedals, and the stopping method. Agree rider adjustment ranges, declared user capacity, intended usage pattern and an endurance test plan. Keep an approved sample and prohibit unapproved component substitutions.
Products supplied for consumer use must be safe, including bikes made available to gym users. Request model-specific safety evidence covering stability, pedal retention, adjustment locks and access to moving parts. For powered consoles, record the power supply and connectivity, and arrange a model-specific compliance review through testing and certification. Where electrical equipment safety rules apply, the importer must ensure instructions accompany the equipment in easily understandable English.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of 24 commercial exercise bikes with adjustable resistance under 9506 91 10 00, invoiced at £15,000 free on board, with £2,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £17,500. Duty at 2% is £350. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £17,850, so it is £3,570. Import taxes total £3,920; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £350 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Frame and fit: check welds, base stability, levelling feet, saddle rails and handlebar locks against the approved sample.
Drive and resistance: check pedal thread orientation, crank security, belt tracking, resistance changes and stopping behaviour during a loaded trial.
Console and documents: check display functions, power supply identity, model references and the supplied assembly, use and maintenance instructions.
Packing and spares: check protection around exposed adjustments and consoles, assembly hardware, spare pedal compatibility and carton contents before shipment and on arrival.
What goes wrong
A showroom sample can conceal weak adjustment clamps, loose cranks or a drive that becomes noisy under sustained use. Friction pads may wear unevenly, saddles may slip and pedal threads may be damaged during assembly. Agree measurable acceptance criteria and inspect production bikes using the quality inspection guide.
Console substitutions can leave the delivered model different from the supporting evidence. Transit damage can bend adjustment posts or crack displays. Record component identities, inspect incoming cartons before assembly and agree compatible replacement parts with the factory.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on commercial exercise bikes from China?
The supplied tariff facts show 2% for adjustable-resistance exercise apparatus under 9506 91 10 00 and other exercise equipment under 9506 91 90 00, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty.
Which commodity code covers adjustable-resistance exercise bikes?
9506 91 10 00 describes exercising apparatus with adjustable resistance mechanisms. Confirm the actual bike design and shipment contents before declaring it.
What should I test before buying commercial exercise bikes?
Check stability, pedal and crank security, adjustment locks, resistance consistency, stopping behaviour and endurance under the agreed usage pattern. Match safety evidence to the delivered model.
What spare parts should I agree with the factory?
Agree compatible pedals, cranks, drive belts or chains, resistance components, adjustment knobs, saddles and console assemblies. Record part identifiers and replacement instructions.