Yam dude....I will let you have an insight into the pricing structure behind e-bike importing. Fortunately only a small part of my revenue comes from e-bike sales so I can be more open than others.
A trip round the Shanghai show will reveal that e-bikes cost between 450-600 US dollars,below 450 you are into dubious quality standards,the difference between 450-600 dependent upon specification (battery size/type,motor type,hydraulic brakes etc).
Considering this from the Chinese viewpoint,would you want to collect all the parts together,pay for staff/factory costs and make a profit (usually 50 US dollars per bike),I wouldn't!....I find these ex factory prices still remarkably low.
The minimum quantity you can realistically ship to keep the shipping cost reasonable is 200 units(40 foot container),you are wasting your time shipping 20 footers.
You put your 30% down and pay 70% on BOL,delivery usually 4-6 months.
When the goods hit Felixstowe you have to pay vat + import duty,26% total...you get the vat back at next vat return,maybe 4 months ahead,but the duty goes to the government. On most shipments the vat and duty payment comes to about £20k.
Dealers have to earn 30% profit,which is really not enough to pay for bricks and mortar costs,insurance,rates,staff etc.
Ok,here is the schedule from a 'profiteering' e-bike importer.....
Taking a lower priced bike of 450 US dollars...
450 dollars........at 1.3 to £......FOB price....£346.15
6% duty. 20.76
Shipping cost. 20.00
Landed cost. £386.19
Importer profit. 100.00
Courier ship cost,importer to dealer. 25.00
Dealer cost. £511.19
Dealer profit ,30%. 153.36
Dealer sale. £664.55
20% vat. 132.91
Sale with vat. £797.46
If you look at the Kudos Milano or Verona they are priced at £795.00... Still think we are profiteering?
KudosDave
