Cambodian exports of bicycles to the US are expected to gain from recent tariffs imposed by the US on China, thanks to several bicycle producers who have unveiled plans to move to the Kingdom, a report from a leading industry portal said.

Bicycle Retailer, the website of Kent International Inc – an American importer and distributor of bicycles and bicycle accessories – plans to move a large share of its production from China to Cambodia in the next few months.

As evidence of this, one of Kent’s major Chinese suppliers is building a new 500,000sq ft (46,452sqm) factory in Cambodia.

Kent CEO Arnold Kamler said the factory will begin shipping bicycles in September next year.

“Assuming the 25 per cent tariff takes effect, the idea is to move essentially all of our production from China to Cambodia,” he said.

After imposing a 10 per cent tariff on Chinese bicycles in September, the tariff is set to increase to 25 per cent in January.

To comply with US Customs’ rules of origin, Kamler said Cambodian parts and labour would make up at least 35 per cent of the value of Kent’s Cambodian bicycles, which will have Cambodia-made frames and forks.

The report said the factory that Kent is working with is in the south, near Phnom Penh.http://www.phnompenhpost.com/business/us-seeks-produce-bicycles-kingdom-move-away-china