2025 BIKE INDUSTRY TRADE AND TARIFF UPDATES

July 24 Update

U.S. Trade Representative Announces New Section 301 Forced Labor Tariffs

On July 23, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced it concluded its Section 301 Forced Labor investigation and would implement sweeping new tariffs as a result. New tariffs went into effect at 12:01 a.m. ET on July 24, just after existing 10% Section 122 tariffs expired. The Federal Register notice can be found here.

As expected, the tariffs cover 60 countries, including every major bicycle industry source country, applying to 99% of U.S. imports. In most cases, new tariffs of either 10% or 12.5% will replace the expiring 10% Section 122 tariff. However, there are new limitations on the degree to which the new Section 301 Forced Labor tariffs can “stack” upon other tariff rates for certain countries. This will provide meaningful tariff relief for bicycle products from some key nations.

10% Section 301 Forced Labor Tariff Countries: Cambodia, Canada, European Union, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Taiwan, United Kingdom

12.5% Section 301 Forced Labor Tariff Countries: China, Japan, Philippines, Thailand, Switzerland, Vietnam

The notice does not provide broad product exclusions for bicycle products. The notice only lists 471 broad-based product exclusions that apply to all countries. These exclusions were for security sensitive products, as well as agricultural products, textiles, chemicals, and machinery. There were essentially zero exclusions for finished consumer products.

PeopleForBikes Secures Limited Relief for Products from Taiwan, the European Union, Japan, and Switzerland

In good news for the bicycle industry, USTR provided tariff relief for countries with trade agreements with the United States, including important bicycle industry source countries: Taiwan, the European Union, Japan, and Switzerland. For these countries, USTR instituted a “net MFN” tariff rate, wherein the existing Most Favored Nation (MFN) tariffs and new Section 301 Forced Labor tariffs will only stack up to a “cap” of 10% or 12.5% depending on the country.

Tariff caps for countries with trade agreements is a form of tariff relief that PeopleForBikes specifically requested from USTR in our comments. We believe this will bring meaningful relief to the industry and reduce tariff costs relative to the prior Section 122 tariffs.

Capping tariff rates for countries with trade agreements is potentially an important indicator of the path forward. As the administration continues to implement aggressive trade policies in pursuit of negotiating deals with other nations, the benefit of a tariff cap may encourage more nations to reach trade agreements with the United States — which could bring similar forms of tariff relief for the bicycle industry.

The prior Section 122 tariffs included no internal mechanism to cap rates. All tariffs were added onto the existing MFN rate (unless capped for a different reason).

PeopleForBikes put together the chart below to capture how new tariffs affect the bicycle industry.

Example Tariff Rates for Bicycle Industry Products

Taiwan | Kids Bikes/Mountain Bikes/Gravel Bikes

• MFN rate = 11%
• Forced Labor rate = 10%
• Does MFN rate exceed Forced Labor rate? Yes
• Will Forced Labor tariff be added to MFN? No
• New combined MFN and Forced Labor tariff rate: 11% (11% MFN + 0% Forced Labor)
• Change from MFN + Section 122 tariffs = -10%

Taiwan | Road Bikes

• MFN rate = 5.5%
• Forced Labor rate = 10%.
• Does MFN rate exceed Forced Labor rate? No
• Will Forced Labor tariff be added to MFN? Yes, up to 10%
• New combined MFN and Forced Labor tariff rate: 10% (5.5% MFN + Partial 4.5% Forced Labor rate)
• Change from MFN + Section 122 tariffs = -5.5%

Taiwan | E-Bikes

• MFN rate = 0%
• Forced Labor rate = 10%
• Does MFN rate exceed Forced Labor rate? No
• Will Forced Labor tariff be added to MFN? Yes, up to 10%
• New combined MFN and Forced Labor tariff rate: 10% (0% MFN + Full 10% Forced Labor rate)
• Change from MFN + Section 122 tariffs = 0%

*These examples only reflect the interaction of MFN rates and new Forced Labor Section 301 rates under the terms of the Forced Labor Section 301 ruling and do not account for further modifications that might occur via future trade agreements.

What’s Next?

Litigation: It is likely these new tariffs will face litigation. PeopleForBikes will keep our members updated on major developments.

Excess Capacity Investigation: USTR still has yet to conclude its Section 301 investigations into Structural Excess Capacity and Overproduction. The end result of this investigation will likely be more sweeping tariffs, and we expect USTR to provide an update in the coming weeks.

Vietnam Investigation: USTR has also not yet concluded its Section 301 investigation into Intellectual Property Protections in Vietnam. The result of this investigation may be additional tariffs on products from Vietnam.

PeopleForBikes will continue to advocate for tariff relief for the bicycle industry and provide additional updates and analysis.

If you have any questions, please contact PeopleForBikes Director of Federal Policy Chris Bell (chris@peopleforbikes.org) or General and Policy Counsel Matt Moore (matt@peopleforbikes.org).

Own Your Backyard: Meet Your Members of Congress During the August 2026 Recess

Every August, members of Congress return from Washington, D.C., to their congressional districts to meet with constituents. This is a great opportunity to contact your representatives and senators and have them meet with you and your employees, visit your facility or shop, and learn about the issues that matter to the bicycle industry and your business.

Doing so is easy: choose a date, send an email, and share your story.

PeopleForBikes put together talking points to help you own your backyard and engage with your members of Congress.

HOW TO CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVES

1. Find out who represents your business in Washington by entering your address information on house.gov.

2. Identify a date and time that works best for you. The office will offer alternatives if need be. You can plan for a 30-minute to 1-hour meeting, but the office will likely respond with a narrow window.

3. Email PeopleForBikes Director of Federal Policy Chris Bell (chris@peopleforbikes.org) for the direct contact information for your members of Congress.

• Primary option: Send an email to that contact.
• Secondary option: Call their district office to follow up on that request.

4. Sample Email/Phone Call Script.

5. Note: Members of Congress have busy schedules, so it is possible they will send one of their staff on their behalf. This is common practice, and it is still a success.

HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE MEETING

1. Plan an agenda. Some options to consider:

• Host a sit-down conversation between your member of Congress/staff and you/your employees.
• Offer to tour your facility and show them how your company works.
• Go for a bike ride! Identify a route accessible to your business.

2. If you would like to discuss policy issues, PeopleForBikes prepared talking points for each of the below topics.

• Trade and Tariffs
• Domestic Bicycle Production
• E-Bikes vs. E-Motos
• Infrastructure
• Outdoor Recreation

SAMPLE RUN OF SHOW

1. 5 minutes: Introductions

2. 20 minutes: Explore your facility or shop. Weave in talking points.

3. 15 minutes: Go for a bike ride. Be sure to grab a photo.

4. 10 minutes: Final discussion, including any policy “asks” (see talking points resource).

OUTCOMES

• The most important thing is to get your member of Congress or their staff to your facility and meet you and your employees.
• Educate your member of Congress and staff on your business.
• Build a relationship with your member of Congress and their staff. Offer your name and contact info, and keep them up to date.
• Discuss policy issues if you wish.

BEST PRACTICES

• Keep PeopleForBikes in the loop — we are happy to help along the way. Please email Chris Bell (chris@peopleforbikes) if you are able to secure a meeting or if you have any questions.
• Be flexible and prompt to work with the member’s schedule.
• Refer to members as “Senator Jones,” “Congressman Smith,” etc., unless told otherwise.
• Business casual attire should be appropriate.
• Offer to take photos before, during, or after the meeting. It is likely that the member of Congress will have a staffer accompanying them for photos as well.
• Keep the discussion high-level. Generally speaking, steer the discussion towards policy asks and impacts on the community when appropriate.
• Highlighting economic impacts always gets the attention of members. (Examples: Number of jobs, number of people served in communities, cost increases due to tariffs.)
• If a member has questions or seems interested in a topic, offer to follow up with more detail in writing. This is a good opportunity to educate the member/staff and also forge a deeper connection with the office.

After the meeting:

• Follow up with any outstanding items (answers to questions, etc., as mentioned above).
• Thank the member for taking time to meet with you. PeopleForBikes can help draft this note, if helpful.

July 14 Update

PeopleForBikes and the Bike Industry Fight Back Against Harmful Trade Actions

Comment deadlines for three trade and tariff actions from the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) have now passed. PeopleForBikes filed comments on behalf of the bike industry on each action:

• Section 301 Forced Labor Investigation: PeopleForBikes comment and additional responses
• Section 301 Vietnam Intellectual Property (IP) Investigation: PeopleForBikes comment and additional responses
• Tariff Modifications for Products from China Review: PeopleForBikes comment and additional responses

Thank you to the many PeopleForBikes Coalition members who filed comments on behalf of their companies. Using comment templates and guidance prepared by the PeopleForBikes team, our members shared compelling stories about how new tariffs would impact their businesses. Industry participation in these comment periods is critical, and our members delivered. We greatly appreciate your support and action.

PeopleForBikes continues to strategically engage with congressional offices to communicate the harmful effects of new tariffs. We encourage our members to do the same. For assistance, please contact Director of Federal Policy Chris Bell at chris@peopleforbikes.org.

Next Steps

The USTR is now reviewing comments and is expected to issue broad new tariffs on products from 60 countries under the Section 301 Forced Labor action. These tariffs are intended to keep the administration’s broad tariff system in place after 10% global tariffs imposed under Section 122 expire on July 24, 2026.

PeopleForBikes expects new Section 301 Forced Labor tariffs to be issued before July 24. Barring any changes or exclusions, the proposed tariffs under this sweeping investigation would be as follows:

• China: 12.5%
• Vietnam: 12.5% (with potential additional tariffs from the Vietnam IP investigation)
• Thailand: 12.5%
• Japan: 12.5%
• Switzerland: 12.5%
• Taiwan: 10%
• Cambodia: 10%
• Malaysia: 10%
• Indonesia: 10%
• European Union: 10%
• United Kingdom: 10%

Additional Tariffs Expected in the Coming Weeks

We are still awaiting the outcome of the USTR’s investigation into Structural Excess Capacity and Overproduction that began in March. The proposed action, likely in the form of tariffs, could come in the next several weeks, with another comment period to follow. PeopleForBikes will keep our members updated as more information becomes available.

June 22 Update

URGENT: Stop New Tariffs on Bikes and E-Bikes

The U.S. Trade Representative announced new Section 301 trade actions that are expected to impact the bicycle industry.

New 10–12.5% tariffs on 60 countries, including every major bicycle industry source country, due to inadequate forced labor protections.

• Under the proposal, countries that have taken partial measures to combat the use of forced labor would be subject to a 10% tariff. These countries include Cambodia, Taiwan, EU member states, the UK, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
• All other countries would be subject to a 12.5% tariff, including China, Thailand, Japan, Vietnam, Switzerland, and others.

New investigation into inadequate intellectual property protections in Vietnam.

• We expect the administration to propose additional tariffs on Vietnam following the investigation. These tariffs may be both significant and widespread.

It is currently unclear what products will be included in these tariffs, but the tariffs are expected to be sweeping, similar to the 2025 IEEPA tariffs. 

The bicycle industry has the opportunity to oppose these tariffs before the comment period closes, and we need your help. PeopleForBikes will be submitting comments in opposition to new tariffs and we encourage industry members to do the same. PeopleForBikes created templates and talking points to help prepare and submit a comment to the U.S. Trade Representative.

Forced Labor Investigation

• Comment template and guidance
• We encourage all bicycle industry members to submit a comment.
• DEADLINE: July 6 at midnight ET.

Vietnam Investigation

• Comment template and guidance
• If Vietnam is an important source country or potential source country for any of your products, we encourage you to submit a comment.
• DEADLINE: July 2 at midnight ET.

Tariff Modifications for Products from China

The U.S. Trade Representative also announced a public comment process seeking input on “specific types of non-sensitive products that could potentially benefit from tariff modifications [between the U.S. and China] with the objective of achieving balance and reciprocity in our trade relationship.”

This is a critical opportunity to potentially either exclude bicycle products from the Section 301 tariffs on China (that have been in effect since 2018) or reduce the rate below the current level of 25%. PeopleForBikes previously secured hundreds of millions in relief from Section 301 tariffs on China through granted or extended exclusions. Many of those same arguments can be applied here. We encourage all bicycle industry members to submit a comment.

• Comment template and guidance
• DEADLINE: July 10 at midnight ET.

It is highly effective to personalize your comment. We suggest clearly defining who your company is and how new tariffs would negatively impact your American business.

Please reach out to PeopleForBikes Director of Federal Policy Chris Bell (chris@peopleforbikes.org) and General and Policy Counsel Matt Moore (matt@peopleforbikes.org) with any questions about the comment submission process. This is our chance to tell policymakers how harmful new tariffs would be for the U.S. bicycle industry.

June 10 Update

Important IEEPA Refund Process Developments

On June 9, Senior Judge Eaton of the Court of International Trade (CIT) held a hearing to discuss the administration’s progress in refunding IEEPA tariffs.

Background: Judge Eaton previously ordered U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) to refund all IEEPA duties paid by all importers on import entries, whether or not those entries had been liquidated by CBP. Subsequently, CBP developed the CAPE automated refund process for entries that had not yet been liquidated. The administration also appealed Judge Eaton’s order to the Federal Circuit, contending that the Court lacked the authority to order refunds of liquidated entries to importers who had not filed cases with the CIT. Judge Eaton then scheduled the June 9 hearing and ordered CBP leadership to attend in person.

Prior to the hearing, CBP provided the Court with an affidavit from a senior official describing its progress refunding IEEPA duties and the intended path forward. Key details include:

• CBP is currently refunding IEEPA duties paid on all unliquidated entries and entries liquidated up to 90 days ago (CAPE Phase 1).
• Entries flagged for reconciliation will become eligible for processing in CAPE on June 29, 2026 (CAPE Phase 2).
• For importers that filed lawsuits, entries liquidated more than 80 days ago will become eligible for processing in CAPE on or about July 29, 2026 (CAPE Phase 3).
• CBP will address the remaining categories of entries currently excluded from CAPE after it implements Phases 2 and 3.
• Citing statutory authority, CBP is NOT currently willing to refund IEEPA tariffs paid on entries liquidated more than 80 days ago to anyone who has not filed a lawsuit because this aspect of Judge Eaton’s order is being appealed.

What Does This Mean for the Bicycle Industry?

Phase 1: The CAPE Phase 1 process is in place and working. Bike industry companies with unliquidated entries that are eligible for Phase 1 should file for refunds.

Phase 2: For companies with entries not yet eligible for CAPE because they were flagged for reconciliation, these entries will become eligible for refunds on June 29.

Phase 3: If your company filed a lawsuit with the CIT seeking IEEPA refunds, entries that were liquidated more than 80 days ago will become eligible for processing in Phase 3 on or about July 29. Other excluded entries will then be addressed by CBP.

Without a lawsuit on file, refunds of entries that were liquidated more than 80 days ago will be delayed for an undetermined period while the administration’s appeal is decided.

Should My Company File a Lawsuit Now?

The answer depends on a number of considerations, including the value of potential refunds for excluded liquidated entries and the legal costs of filing a lawsuit with the CIT. Some law firms have a flat fee structure, while others are filing these cases on a contingency basis. PeopleForBikes recommends consulting with your trade counsel on whether your company would benefit from filing a case. If you decide not to do so, you should still take steps to protect your legal right to refunds pending the administration’s appeal by protesting the liquidation of your entries.

PeopleForBikes will continue to monitor the IEEPA refunds process and update our members as the process continues. If you have questions, please reach out to PeopleForBikes General and Policy Counsel Matt Moore at matt@peopleforbikes.org or Director of Federal Policy Chris Bell at chris@peopleforbikes.org.

June 4 Update

New Trade Actions Could Significantly Impact Bicycle and E-Bike Imports

During the week of June 1, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced several major trade developments, with more actions expected within a week. The actions outlined below will have significant implications for bicycle industry importers.

Each tariff development is consistent with our previous analysis that new tariffs are intended to be sweeping across countries and products as a replacement to the unconstitutional IEEPA tariffs and temporary 10% Section 122 tariffs. There are opportunities to secure exclusions, but the bike industry must continue to vigorously advocate to achieve any tariff relief.

PeopleForBikes will be filing public comments and testifying in Washington, D.C. to advocate against new tariffs on bicycle products. We will also mobilize the bicycle industry to fight back against these tariff threats and take advantage of opportunities, including producing talking points and helping members submit public comments. Stay tuned for further updates on how your company can help with these efforts.

Section 301 Forced Labor Action Moves Forward

On June 2, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) issued a report outlining proposed actions tied to the ongoing Section 301 investigation into the prevention of forced labor practices. Under the proposal, products from 60 countries would be subject to a proposed additional tariff of 10%–12.5%. The Federal Register notice can be found here.

Countries that have implemented forced labor import bans, or have committed to doing so through reciprocal trade agreements, would face an additional 10% duty. This group includes:

• Canada
• European Union member states
• UK
• Mexico
• Indonesia
• Pakistan
• Ecuador
• Argentina
• Bangladesh
• Cambodia
• El Salvador
• Guatemala
• Malaysia
• Taiwan

All other countries would be subject to a proposed 12.5% additional duty, including China, Japan, Switzerland, Thailand, and Vietnam.

One area of concern is that lithium-ion batteries are specifically referenced in the USTR report. This could complicate efforts to seek exclusions for electric bicycles, which rely on imported battery systems and components.

Annex 1 to the Federal Register notice is a list of excluded products, which largely mirrors existing Section 232 exclusions and focuses on products with limited U.S. supply or national security considerations. No bicycle products were listed.

The proposal includes a public comment period through July 6 and an opportunity to testify at a public hearing beginning on July 7, with requests to testify due June 22. This is an opportunity for affected industries to seek product-specific exclusions. Industry participation will be critical.

Section 301 Excess Capacity Action Expected Soon

A second major development is pending Section 301 action addressing structural excess capacity, overproduction, and market distortions. The USTR report and recommended actions are expected as early as this week and are anticipated to include another round of written comments and a public hearing. We will provide more detailed information about this second action as it becomes available.

While final details remain uncertain, the likely outcome appears to be a return to tariff levels consistent with previous IEEPA tariffs and trade agreements previously reached with several countries. A key question for the industry that remains unclear is how these two new sets of tariffs will interact with base most favored nation (MFN) tariffs. Will they both be additional to MFN rates, or will there be a “maximum” tariff structure for at least some countries under their trade agreement with the U.S.?

If the latter approach is adopted, the effective tariff rates could align with current trade agreement caps, including:

• 15% maximum duty rate for imports from Japan, the European Union, and the UK
• 20% for imports from Taiwan

Clarification on tariff stacking will be one of the most important issues for the bicycle industry to monitor in the coming weeks.

New Section 301 Intellectual Property Investigation Targets Vietnam

The administration also launched a new Section 301 investigation focused on alleged inadequate intellectual property protections in Vietnam. The notice calls out five specific issues:

• Online piracy
• Counterfeiting
• Ineffective border enforcement
• Unlicensed software use
• Lack of criminal measures against cable and satellite signal theft

The investigation opens another public comment process and creates the potential for future trade actions affecting one of the bicycle industry's most important manufacturing hubs. We will be formulating a strategy for this investigation as we learn more about whether it is likely to result in tariffs focused on the core IP violations mentioned, or could result in higher duties that are more widespread.

There is an opportunity to submit public comments through July 2. The Federal Register notice can be found here.

USTR Seeks Comments on Tariff Modifications for Products from China

On June 2, the USTR announced a public comment process seeking input on “specific types of non-sensitive products that could potentially benefit from tariff modifications [between the U.S. and China] with the objective of achieving balance and reciprocity in our trade relationship.” The comment process is part of the development of the joint U.S.-China Board of Trade, intended to manage bilateral trade between the United States and China on an ongoing basis. The Federal Register notice can be found here.

PeopleForBikes views this as a major opportunity to either exclude bicycle products from Section 301 tariffs on China or reduce the rate below the current level of 25%. PeopleForBikes previously secured hundreds of millions in relief from Section 301 tariffs on China through granted or extended exclusions. Many of those same arguments can be applied here.

The deadline for comment submissions is July 10, 2026.

IEEPA Refund Process and June 9 Court Hearing

Separately, attention remains focused on litigation surrounding tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). A hearing before the Court of International Trade (CIT) is scheduled for June 9. The administration indicated it may appeal the CIT order directing that tariff refunds be issued to all importers. More specifically, the administration indicated it will appeal whether it is obligated to provide refunds for entries that have been liquidated for more than 90 days unless the importer has filed an action in the CIT. Depending on the outcome, importers may ultimately need to file their own complaints with the CIT to preserve refund rights to these entries or participate in any future recovery process. Additional clarity is expected following next week's hearing and any subsequent court actions.

Section 122 Litigation

In March 2026, several private companies and 24 state attorneys general filed litigation in the CIT challenging the 10% Section 122 tariffs the administration imposed to replace the IEEPA tariffs. In May, the court found the Presidential Proclamation imposing the Section 122 tariffs was “invalid as contrary to law.” However, the CIT declined to issue widespread relief in the case, instead choosing to order that the administration be barred from collecting further tariffs from the specific plaintiffs in the case, and ordering refunds for tariffs that had been paid. All of the states that filed for suit were dismissed from the case for a lack of standing (with the exception of Washington, which had paid tariffs for imported goods through a university). The administration swiftly appealed and sought a stay of the ruling, fearing a wave of claims for Section 122 tariff refunds. The CIT denied that request, which was then appealed to the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals. The Federal Circuit is likely to issue a ruling soon on whether they will pause the CIT’s ruling while the appeals process plays out or require that the plaintiffs be refunded imminently. If the Federal Circuit denies the stay, many companies may file claims in the CIT to seek refunds and prevent the further collection of Section 122 tariffs. It is also possible the administration could seek emergency relief from the Supreme Court if the Federal Circuit denies the stay.

PeopleForBikes will continue to monitor developments in this case and advise members of any opportunity to recover duties paid under Section 122.

What Comes Next

The next several weeks and months will be pivotal for bicycle importers, suppliers, and retailers as Section 122 tariffs expire and new tariffs are put into place. There are several opportunities for the industry to again participate in the public comment process and influence the outcome of these various tariff actions. The PeopleForBikes team is working to further understand these developments, create a responsive strategy, and engage our members in executing that strategy.

Recent experience proves that coordinated industry engagement will be essential to ensure the interests of the U.S. bike business are represented and that policymakers understand the potential impacts of these tariff actions on supply chains, affordability, and consumer access to bicycles and e-bikes. PeopleForBikes was able successfully fight off new Section 232 steel and aluminum tariffs, potentially the biggest trade win for the bicycle industry in decades. That was possible only with the strong participation of industry members and partners. We are hopeful that, with your continued help, we can ward off another significant trade threat to the U.S. bicycle industry.

May 12 Update

Section 122 Tariffs Declared Invalid

On May 7, the U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT) issued an opinion and judgment that the 10% Section 122 tariffs declared by the administration on February 20, 2026, are “invalid as contrary to law.” The Court granted summary judgment to two importers and the State of Washington and ordered that all Section 122 tariffs collected from them be refunded. Unlike the recent IEEPA litigation where all importers were granted relief, the Court declined to issue a broad “universal” injunction covering all importers and entries that are or will be subject to Section 122 tariffs.

What Does This Mean For the Bike Industry?

The administration already filed a notice of appeal with the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and it may seek appellate review with the Supreme Court. The administration also requested that the CIT stay the judgment (or place it on hold) pending appeal, which will likely be granted by either the CIT or an appellate court. Because the decision and relief granted was limited to just three importers involved in the case, there is no present right for other importers to obtain refunds. Section 122 tariffs are set to expire on July 24, but in the meantime U.S. Customs will continue to collect the 10% duty on essentially all imports despite the Court’s order. As with the IEEPA tariffs, members will need to wait and see how the case unfolds in the courts before being able to pursue any potential refunds. Members and their brokers should actively track all entries that were assessed a 10% Section 122 tariff in case refunds do become available in the future and file any necessary protests to protect their right to any refunds. While any importer could file a similar case with the CIT today based upon the finding that the Section 122 tariffs were invalid, that expense may not ultimately be necessary. Members should consult with their trade counsel for advice on their specific circumstances.

PeopleForBikes Testifies at Section 301 Hearing

On May 8, PeopleForBikes Director of Federal Policy Chris Bell testified at the U.S. International Trade Commission before an interagency panel led by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) on the Section 301 excess production capacity investigation. His testimony was in support of a previously submitted comment explaining that the U.S. bicycle industry is not adversely affected by any excess capacity issues and that capacity shifts in various source countries resulted from shifted production from China in response to Section 301 tariffs and government policy. Mr. Bell urged the USTR to consider more narrow actions under Section 301 as well as targeted relief for bicycle products from any additional tariffs that may result from this investigation. Decisions on whether to put additional tariffs in place under this Section 301 proceeding, as well as the second Section 301 investigation regarding the adequacy of responses by trading partners to forced labor practices, are expected sometime in June. PeopleForBikes will advise our members as these expected new tariffs unfold.

“In deciding not to enact new steel and aluminum tariffs on the bicycle industry under Section 232, we thank the administration for taking a thoughtful approach to crafting a policy that keeps bikes affordable for Americans,” said Jenn Dice, president and CEO of PeopleForBikes. “We are advocating for the administration to take a similar approach in the forthcoming Section 301 investigations to protect the U.S. bicycle industry, grow American jobs, and allow us to expand domestic bicycle production and assembly."

After the last Section 301 investigation, PeopleForBikes secured several exclusions for the bicycle industry, resulting in hundreds of millions of dollars saved for industry brands and manufacturers.

PeopleForBikes continues to connect with policymakers and advocate for no additional tariffs on the bicycle industry as well as a transparent exclusion process. Here’s how you can help:

• Contact your members of Congress and share the impact that additional tariffs would have on your business.
• Request a meeting with your members of Congress to highlight the impacts of tariffs on bike businesses and discuss how your elected representatives plan to keep bikes affordable.
• Invite your members of Congress to visit your facility.

PeopleForBikes is here to help. Contact Director of Federal Policy Chris Bell, at chris@peopleforbikes.org for more information.

April 13 Update

IEEPA Tariff Refunds Are Almost Here

On April 10, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced it will begin accepting IEEPA tariff refund requests through a new automated process starting April 20, 2026. The Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE) within the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) is meant to streamline the submission and processing of valid IEEPA refund requests. Importers can expect that valid IEEPA refunds will generally be issued within 60–90 days following acceptance of a CAPE declaration. The official announcement with relevant details for importers can be found here.

In Phase 1, importers can request refunds on:

• Certain unliquidated entries
• Entries liquidated within the past 80 days (on or after January 30, 2026)

Phase 1 does not cover:

• Reconciliation entries or flagged entries
• Drawback claims
• Entries under active protest
• Non-ACE entries
• Entries subject to AD/CVD
• Entries liquidated more than 80 days ago

While CAPE creates a new path to receiving refunds, it does not change your legal rights or deadlines. PeopleForBikes strongly recommends that companies file protests on applicable entries (ideally after the 80-day liquidation window) and evaluate litigation options ahead of the February 2027 deadline.

This is a meaningful opportunity to recover duties paid on many entries, but not a complete solution. Most companies are unlikely to recover all IEEPA tariffs through Phase 1 alone, so it’s critical to pursue refunds through CAPE and take steps to preserve your legal rights. For specific questions regarding your legal position and your entries, please consult with your trade counsel or customs broker.

PeopleForBikes will continue to monitor implementation of the IEEPA refund process and provide updates when available. As always, if you have any questions or are in need of support navigating this process, please reach out to PeopleForBikes Vice President of Government Relations Dr. Ash Lovell (ash@peopleforbikes.org) or General and Policy Counsel Matt Moore (matt@peopleforbikes.org).

April 3 Update

Bicycle Industry Successfully Opposes New Steel and Aluminum Tariffs

Yesterday, the president announced that the bicycle industry will not be subject to new Section 232 steel and aluminum tariffs.

Since October, PeopleForBikes and our members have taken action against two requests to add a 50% tariff to the steel and aluminum content of all bicycles, e-bikes, and frames. By mobilizing our industry, forming coalitions with key partners, and developing a strategic messaging campaign to communicate the harmful effects of these tariffs, the bike industry filed more than 1,300 comments in opposition to this proposal — more than any other industry. PeopleForBikes also worked with key members of Congress and had several meetings with senior staff at the Department of Commerce to elevate our concerns to the most important policymakers. After months of deliberations, the administration issued that there will be no new tariffs on bikes and a removal of existing steel tariffs on e-bikes.

While the structure of the revised Section 232 tariffs are complex and exact tariff rates will be variable based upon the origin and source country of the steel, aluminum, and copper used to manufacture a product, none of the complex entry documentation associated with those determinations now applies to any core complete bicycle or e-bike HTS categories.

Pending Section 232 Inclusion Requests

The inclusion request process to add derivative steel and aluminum products to Section 232 tariff actions was completely terminated. This means that the two pending requests by Guardian Bikes and the Aluminum Extruders Council will not be granted. There will not be future rounds of inclusion requests. Instead, the Secretary of Commerce and U.S. Trade Representative are authorized to monitor imports, periodically assess the progress of Section 232 tariffs towards achieving their stated goals, and consider input from trade groups and other stakeholders in determining whether additional derivative products need to be added or tariffs adjusted.

Bicycles, e-bikes, and frames will not be added as derivative products to the Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum at this time, and importers will therefore not have to determine the metal content of these products and pay additional tariffs on that content.

Removal of Certain Derivative Products

The president also determined, based on information and advice from the Secretary of Commerce, that certain products listed on Annex II should be removed from the list of derivative products previously added to the Section 232 tariffs. Products of relevance to the bike industry include:

Remaining Products Subject to Section 232 Steel Tariffs

Derivative products listed in Annex I-A and I-B will be subject to either a 50% tariff (Annex I-A) or a 25% tariff (Annex I-B). There are some exceptions for products from the UK or other trading partners that have reached or will reach a reciprocal trade agreement with the United States and are made with U.S.-origin metal or metal sourced in that country. Manufacturers should review these annexes and consult with their customs brokers or trade counsel to determine whether their imported products remain subject to applicable Section 232 tariff rates. Products of obvious relevance to the bicycle industry include:

You can read the proclamation here and the annexes here.

These changes will go into effect on April 6, 2026. It is likely that a Federal Register notice and changes to the HTS tariff code to effectuate this proclamation will be published on April 3 or shortly thereafter.

PeopleForBikes extends our sincere gratitude to our members for their extraordinary engagement in these recent Section 232 tariff relief efforts. Your collective action sent a clear and powerful message about the real consequences these proposed tariffs would have on businesses, workers, and riders nationwide. Your voice made a meaningful impact, and this level of unified advocacy continues to be critical as we work together to protect the future of the bicycle industry.

We will send more information about the Section 301 tariff process next week. As always, please reach out to PeopleForBikes Vice President of Government Relations Dr. Ash Lovell (ash@peopleforbikes.org), Policy Counsel Matt Moore (matt@peopleforbikes.org), or Director of Federal Policy Chris Bell (chris@peopleforbikes.org) with any questions.

March 12 Update

New U.S. Trade Investigations Could Lead to Additional Tariffs

The U.S. Trade Representative launched a new round of trade investigations that could pave the way for additional tariffs affecting imports from major trading partners. The investigations, initiated under Section 301 of the Trade Act, are targeting issues such as industrial overcapacity and government subsidies across countries including China, the European Union, Japan, Taiwan, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea, and Mexico. The Federal Register notice of these investigations can be found here. The notice does not identify specific product categories that might be subject to new Section 301 tariffs, nor does it provide potential tariff rates.

These actions come as policymakers look for new legal pathways to impose tariffs after the Supreme Court recently struck down parts of the administration’s earlier IEEPA tariff program. Officials say the investigations could conclude within several months and may lead to new duties designed to replace temporary tariffs currently in place.

Why This Matters for the Bicycle Industry

For companies across the bicycle supply chain, these developments signal continued volatility in U.S. trade policy. These new tariff actions targeting major manufacturing economies could have ripple effects on costs, sourcing strategies, and supply chains.

What to Watch

The investigation topic relates to whether the listed countries have structural excess capacity and production in various manufacturing sectors, potentially including bicycles. In the coming months, the investigations will include public comment periods and hearings before any tariffs are finalized. Potential outcomes could include:

• Additional tariffs imposed on imports from major bicycle manufacturing regions
• Existing temporary tariffs may be extended or replaced with longer-term measures
• Enforcement around supply chains and manufacturing capacity may evolve

When New Tariffs Could Go Into Effect

It is not certain exactly when new Section 301 tariffs might take effect, but it will not be until at least May 2026, likely later. USTR will open a public comment period until April 15, 2026, convening with a live hearing on May 5, 2026. An additional seven days will be provided for post-hearing comments. It will likely take USTR several weeks or months following the hearing to issue a final report.

What PeopleForBikes is Doing

The Section 301 process includes opportunities for public comment and testimony. The PeopleForBikes policy team is organizing a strategy around how to best engage in that process to protect the U.S. bicycle industry’s interests. We are engaging with federal policymakers and trade experts while continuing to keep our members informed as the situation develops. We will also be monitoring how this investigation impacts existing bilateral trade deals and will provide updates as the investigation moves forward.

February 20 Update

Supreme Court Rules in Bike Industry’s Favor Regarding IEEPA Tariffs

On February 20, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6–3 that the sweeping global import tariffs imposed under the 1977 emergency powers law (IEEPA) were unlawful, determining that the president exceeded his authority by using the statute to unilaterally impose broad tariffs on imports from nearly all U.S. trading partners. The Court affirmed the judgment of the Court of International Trade in Trump v. V.O.S. Selection, a case brought by 12 states and five small companies, including Terry Precision Cycling, a Vermont-based bicycle clothing company.

This decision represents a significant check on executive tariff authority and will shape presidential tariff policy going forward. It’s important to note that while this ruling removes a key legal basis for IEEPA tariffs, it does not affect tariffs imposed under other legal authorities, including Section 232 and Section 301 tariffs. While it is anticipated that billions of dollars in duty collected under IEEPA will be refunded to importers, the process and timetable for that to happen is not yet clear.

As your trade association, PeopleForBikes is actively advocating to reduce and eliminate tariffs affecting our industry. We remain committed to advancing fair, pro-industry trade policy. With your support, we will continue this essential work.

The IEEPA ruling will likely encourage the administration to pursue alternative sources of tariff revenue. PeopleForBikes is actively pushing back against the proposed inclusion of bicycle and e-bike HTS codes under Section 232 tariffs. In the coming weeks, the Commerce Department will decide which products will be added under the latest round of tariff inclusion requests. Our industry has submitted more comments in opposition than any other industry, and federal leadership understands there is significant opposition to these proposed tariffs.

The most effective action you can take right now is contacting your members of Congress and telling them how harmful Section 232 tariffs would be for your business. Lawmakers need to hear directly from businesses in their districts about the jobs, economic impact, and consumer consequences at stake. If you don’t already have contact information for your members of Congress, please contact PeopleForBikes Director of Federal Policy Chris Bell at chris@peopleforbikes.org. When you contact your members of Congress, feel free to use PeopleForBikes’ Section 232 talking points to discuss the negative impacts of these proposed inclusions on your business.

PeopleForBikes will continue to monitor developments and assess how the Supreme Court’s ruling might intersect with other ongoing tariff issues that impact bicycle imports and supply chains.

If you have questions about what this latest news means for your business, please don’t hesitate to reach out to PeopleForBikes Vice President of Government Relations Dr. Ash Lovell (ash@peopleforbikes.org) or General and Policy Counsel Matt Moore (matt@peopleforbikes.org).