I have a couple of electric ATVs that I imported from China a few years ago, and I absolutely love them. I often get asked how much it costs to import an electric ATV from China. The answer surprises people, so I’ll break down the numbers and also answer some of the common questions I receive.
Note: the numbers I provide here are from mid-2023. Costs are likely higher now due to inflation and changes in tariffs. That said, if either of my electric ATVs were to fail beyond repair, I would still consider importing another one, even at a higher cost. They meet my needs perfectly and I’m extremely satisfied with their performance.)
Why Not Buy an Electric ATV from the US?
Although there are a few US companies offering electric ATVs, I found all of their options lacking. Either they were very expensive or they didn’t have anything available for purchase yet. To be honest, I just wanted an electric ATV and couldn’t find anything in the US market that would meet my needs. Specifically, I was looking for an adult-sized electric ATV—not a kid’s toy—and I didn’t want to spend $15K+.
The closest option I found was the Daymak Beast out of Toronto. While it had a decent price, the power was disappointing. The Daymak’s power rating was half that of the smaller electric ATV I ended up getting at a lower cost. It became clear to me that I would need to import an electric ATV from China to get what I wanted.
How Hard Is It to Import an Electric ATV from China?
To import an electric ATV from China turned out to be more complicated than I initially expected. It took much more time and involved far more red tape than many of my other imports for business. However, if I had to do it again, I believe I could get an ATV to my doorstep within 90 days. This includes 35-45 days for the ATV to be made-to-order by hand, plus another 45 days for sea freight, customs clearance, and dealing with logistics.
What Are the Regulations to Import an Electric ATV from China?
There are several regulations to consider when you want to import an electric ATV from China. Many of these are more about checking boxes than actually ensuring strict compliance, but some require special attention. For example:
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Dangerous Goods: The battery requires special handling.
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DOT Rules: Certain warnings must appear on the ATV.
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EPA Exemption: Since the ATV is electric and not gasoline-powered, you can claim an exemption.
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Export Rights: The supplier will need to ensure they have the right to export the ATV.
In addition, there are the usual freight forwarding, customs clearance, and tariff concerns that come with importing any goods.
How Was the Electric ATV Supplier to Work With?
The supplier I worked with was fantastic. I actually ordered twice. Initially, after paying, I had to cancel the order because I wasn’t sure I could clear customs. They could have easily kept my money, but they didn’t. They refunded me, which showed me they were a trustworthy company.
One small issue was that I couldn’t get the colors I wanted because I was only ordering one of each. They required a minimum order of six to customize colors. Other than that, I’ve been extremely happy with their service. If I were to import an electric ATV from China again, I’d gladly buy from them again.
Their brand is MadeMoto, and the company name is Wiztem Industry Company Limited. They also have many helpful YouTube videos.
How Much Does It Cost to Import an Electric ATV from China?
Here’s the breakdown of what it cost to import my two electric ATVs from China:
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What I paid the supplier:
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EA0806 (4X4) = $2,560
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Accessories = $119.64
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Total EXW price = $2,679.64
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EA5002 (4X2) = $2,985
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Accessories = $28.23
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Total EXW price = $3,013.23
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Freight from China to Minneapolis = $1,160
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Customs and Freight Forwarding = $2,179.98
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This included:
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Freight from Minneapolis rail port to my house (25 miles)
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Delivery truck with lift gate
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Customs clearance and surprise required X-ray of the cargo
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Continuous bond fee
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Tariffs: $606.09
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This included the standard 2.5% tariff and an additional 7.5% tariff. The 25% punitive tariffs didn’t apply in my case, but they could be applicable to your shipment. As well, since then, addition tariffs have been enacted on goods from China. So expect to pay quite a bit more.
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Registration: $528.39
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This fee covered registering both ATVs with the DMV. For one ATV, the cost would be about $264.20.
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So, my total cost for importing and registering both ATVs was $9,561.24. Dividing that by two, it came out to about $4,780.62 per ATV in 2023. But it is critical to note that I saved money by buying two. Had I bought one, it would likely have cost well over $5,000.
Some Assembly Required
The ATVs arrived in wooden crates and were mostly assembled. I had to install a few things such as the wheels, racks, and handlebars. It took me about 2 hours, and the hardest part was getting them off the pallet. They’re pretty heavy, and it’s difficult to get a jack under them when they’re still on the pallet.
How Is the Build Quality of an Electric ATV from China?
The build quality isn’t perfect. You can tell the welds were made by hand, and the overall appearance isn’t flawless. The ATVs do creak a little when driving, but that’s partly due to the lack of an engine noise to cover up the sounds. That said, it’s not a huge issue for me.
How Reliable Are Electric ATVs from China?
I’ve only had one mechanical issue with the EA5002—its ignition switch went bad early on. I contacted the supplier, and they were happy to send me a replacement switch. However, I instead opted to bypass the ignition switch with a hidden toggle switch for added convenience.
The EA0806 lost a couple of bolts in the fender shrouds, but this didn’t affect its performance.
These were the only issues I’ve encountered in the two years I’ve had them.
Can You Plow Snow with an Electric ATV?
Yes, you can! The EA0806 is great for plowing snow, thanks to its 4X4 capabilities. It performs as well as my old Polaris 400 Xplorer, and it’s far quieter, which is important in a suburban neighborhood. I purchased a Koplan 48”–60” universal plow for under $400, and it does an excellent job on my tar driveway.
How Fast Is an Electric ATV from China?
The supplier claims a top speed of 28 mph and that is indeed what I experience. That’s more than enough for my needs, and the ATVs come with speed switches that allow you to slow them down when needed (useful for plowing or letting beginners ride).
How Much Power Does an Electric ATV Have?
The EA0806 (4X4) has two 2000-watt motors for a total of 4000 watts. You can switch it to 4X2 by switching off the front motor. While 4000 watts is plenty of power for most tasks, the EA5002 (4X2) has 5000 watts out of one motor but lacks the traction to handle utility work or mud effectively.
How Long Is the Range of an Electric ATV?
Both models claim a range of about 35 miles on a full charge, but the 4X4 version will have its range cut in half when using four-wheel drive. Since I charge mine regularly, I’ve never had a tested this or experienced range issue. I have no reason to doubt this range since they were so accurate with the top speed rating. Eventually, I plan to upgrade to lithium batteries once these lead acid batteries eventually die.
Are There Any US Dealers?
Currently, there are no US dealers for these electric ATVs. If you don’t want to import an electric ATV from China yourself, you’ll need to find a third-party importer, which comes at a premium cost.
Conclusion: Overall Review of Chinese Electric ATVs
I’m happy with my decision to import an electric ATV from China. Although I wish the EA5002 came in a 4X4 version, I’d still buy these ATVs again. They perform well, didn’t break the bank, and have suited my needs well.
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