Sourcing non-electric adult tricycles from China
Non-electric adult tricycles from China carry 15% UK customs duty across the relevant tricycle lines, plus a residual anti-dumping duty of 48.50%. Consumer products supplied in Great Britain must be safe. Specify the axle, braking layout and rider load before ordering. Cambridge China Bridge sources non-electric adult tricycles.
UK duty on adult tricycles
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 8712 covers bicycles and other cycles, including delivery tricycles, that are not motorised. For adult tricycles sent directly from China, the relevant other-cycles line is 8712 00 70 99. The table shows product variants sharing that line, rather than separate tariff classifications.
The relevant tricycle lines carry 15% customs duty. The supplied tariff facts record a residual anti-dumping duty of 48.50%, with no countervailing duty or suspension recorded. The official anti-dumping notice includes non-motorised tricycles. The tariff also attaches a DCMS Export Licence control. Official guidance states that cultural objects have no import licensing requirement in Great Britain; ask your customs broker to confirm how the attached control affects your declaration.
Confirm the construction, origin and dispatch route with your broker before ordering. The tariff has separate consignment lines for named countries, so routing matters. Use finding your commodity code, and see the wider product family in our non-electric cargo bike guide.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upright non-electric adult tricycles | 8712 00 70 99 | 15% | 48.50% residual anti-dumping |
Specify the axle, brakes and rider position
Fix the frame material, step-over clearance, overall width, wheel and tyre specification, saddle adjustment and handlebar reach. State the intended rider load and any basket load separately. Specify whether the rear axle uses a differential or drives a single wheel, and approve the turning behaviour on a complete sample.
Write down which lever operates each brake, the parking-brake arrangement and the replacement parts required. For folding models, define the hinge, latch and secondary retention. Ask for model-specific safety evidence covering frame strength, braking, stability and foreseeable use. The general product safety rules aim to ensure only safe consumer products are supplied in Great Britain.
Approve assembly instructions using the actual packed product, including axle installation, wheel attachment, brake adjustment and final checks. Agree turning and load warnings. For road use, the Highway Code requires efficient brakes and lit white front and red rear lights when cycling at night.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 15 non-electric adult tricycles, illustrative order only under 8712 00 70 99, invoiced at £9,500 free on board, with £1,999 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £11,499. Duty at 15% is £1,724.85. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £13,223.85, so it is £2,644.77. Import taxes total £4,369.62; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,724.85 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Frame and axle: check welds, rear-wheel alignment, axle bearing play, wheel clearance and whether the assembled tricycle sits squarely.
Brakes and steering: check lever travel, cable routing, brake operation, parking-brake holding and steering clearance against the approved sample.
Folding and fittings: check hinge retention where fitted, saddle and handlebar clamps, basket fixings and loose or missing fasteners.
Arrival and assembly: check carton damage, bent wheels and brackets, loose components and parts count. Assemble a sampled unit using the supplied instructions before releasing stock.
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What goes wrong
An attractive sample can conceal an axle that tracks poorly, a brake that drags or a basket that fouls a tyre under load. A tricycle can also feel stable when stationary yet behave differently while turning. Record loaded turning and braking checks against the approved configuration, and investigate any change in axle or brake components.
Partly assembled shipments can arrive with missing spacers, unclear axle instructions or bent basket supports. Agree the packing layout and assembly checks before production. Costing only the customs duty also misses the recorded anti-dumping duty; have the broker check the applicable exporter treatment before accepting the supplier's landed-cost calculation.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For machinery and equipment, see machinery imports.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on adult tricycles from China?
The relevant non-electric tricycle lines carry 15% customs duty. The supplied tariff facts also record 48.50% residual anti-dumping duty. Ask your broker to confirm the code and applicable exporter treatment.
Are adult tricycles covered by the bicycle anti-dumping measure?
Yes. The official notice covers non-motorised bicycles and other cycles, including delivery tricycles. The supplied tariff facts record anti-dumping duty on the relevant other-cycles lines.
What should I specify for a folding adult tricycle?
Specify the folded dimensions, hinge and latch design, secondary retention, cable routing and assembly method. Approve a complete sample and check the locking mechanism after packing and unpacking.
How do I check adult tricycles when they arrive?
Check frame and axle alignment, wheel damage, brake operation, steering clearance and missing fittings. Assemble a sample using the supplied instructions and compare it with the approved tricycle.