U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Border officials in Virginia recently intercepted a shipment of unsafe e-bikes from China, authorities said.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection said officers inspecting imports in Hampton Roads, Va., on Jan. 7 encountered a shipment of 35 electronic bikes from China. The bikes came partially assembled and did not have required certification labels and safety markings.
The bikes were detained for further investigation and border officers contacted the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to determine compliance. The agency on Jan. 20 confirmed the e-bikes did not comply with safety standards, and recommended that CBP refuse entry.
The intended recipient, an e-bike shop in Hampton Roads, declined to export the bikes to another country, so on Feb. 27, CBP seized the shipment.
“We know that injuries to electric bike riders continue to rise. Customs and Border Protection officers will continue to partner with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to protect e-bike riders and others on the road by denying the importation of noncompliant and potentially unsafe e-bikes,” said Keri Brady, CBP’s area port director for the Area Port of Norfolk-Newport News, Va.
In order to be lawfully imported, vehicles must be originally manufactured to comply with U.S. motor vehicle safety standards, and be marked with a label certifying compliance.
