Eu tariffs on Chinese aerial work platforms ‌ could result in loss of export orders

High-altitude operation lifting machinery and equipment refers to specialized equipment used to lift personnel, tools and materials to a certain height for operation. According to the national standard "Classification of High-altitude Work" (GB/T 3608-2008), high-altitude work at or above 2 meters where there is a possibility of falling is classified as high-altitude work. These devices are widely used in industries such as construction, municipal management, infrastructure building, building decoration and maintenance, and shipbuilding and aircraft manufacturing.

In 2024, the export performance of China's aerial work platform machinery industry was stable. Despite the pressure on the domestic market, the export market still maintained growth. In the first three quarters of 2024, the total sales of aerial work platforms reached 144,800 units, a year-on-year decrease of 14.45%. Among them, 72,500 units were sold domestically, a year-on-year decrease of 33.92%. The export volume was 72,400 units, increasing by 21.33% year-on-year. From 2020 to October 2022, the market share of Chinese enterprises in the EU market has risen from 29% to 41%. By the end of 2023, the prices of aerial work platforms in China were generally about 20% lower than those of local competitors in the European Union. As a result, the European Union initiated anti-dumping investigations against Chinese enterprises producing aerial work platforms. On April 25, 2025, the European Commission announced that Chinese mobile lifting equipment manufacturers had gained an unfair advantage through preferential financing, government subsidies, and obtaining raw materials at prices lower than the market rate. Therefore, it imposed additional anti-dumping duties on Chinese aerial work platforms on top of those imposed in January 2025. At present, the combined tax rates of anti-dumping duties and countervailing duties range from 20.6% to 66.7%.

In the face of high tariffs, only enterprises that truly lead in technology and quality can break through various trade barriers and win the recognition of the market and consumers. Relevant Chinese enterprises need to actively respond through technological innovation, overseas factory construction and other means, and at the same time pay attention to changes in international trade policies to avoid potential risks. If assembly plants are built in EU member states (such as Hungary, Poland) or neighboring countries to avoid the superimposed risks of anti-dumping and countervailing duties, it is expected that the initial investment cost will increase by ‌20%-30%‌, but the EU market share will be maintained in the long term. In 2024, China's exports of aerial work platform equipment to Russia continued to grow, although the growth rate slowed down. However, Russia remains one of the important markets for China's construction machinery exports. The competitiveness of Chinese brands in the Russian market has been continuously improving. Especially after European and American brands withdrew from the Russian market due to sanctions, Chinese brands quickly filled the market gap. However, with the intensification of market competition and the adjustment of Russian policies, Chinese enterprises are facing many challenges in the Russian market. Starting from July 1, 2024, Russia will significantly increase the scrapping tax on some imported trucks and construction machinery. In addition, the Russian government has successively introduced relevant policies to restrict the entry of non-local talents from overseas brands and has introduced a series of national support measures to support local enterprises. Chinese enterprises in the Russian market need to closely monitor policy changes, make early plans, optimize product structures, and enhance the added value and competitiveness of their products.

Another point worth noting for enterprises is that the EU Carbon Tariff (CBAM) will be officially implemented on January 1, 2026, which will have multiple impacts on Chinese export enterprises. According to the legislative documents and relevant materials of the European Union, the implementation of CBAM will directly affect China's high-carbon products exported to the European Union, such as steel, aluminum, cement, fertilizers, electricity and hydrogen, etc. The EU carbon tariff (CBAM) will be fully implemented in 2026, and the accounting of carbon emissions throughout the life cycle of aerial work platforms may increase compliance costs for enterprises by ‌12%-18%‌. The EU's imposition of tariffs on Chinese aerial work platforms ‌ could result in a short-term loss of ‌ 1.5 billion US dollars in Chinese exports to the EU ‌. Although tariffs will put pressure on enterprises in the short term, in the long run, the global market size of aerial work platforms will continue to expand in the coming years, especially in emerging markets, where the penetration rate is expected to further increase. Facing international enterprises, they should make early plans, be familiar with the rules, assess the impacts, and ensure their competitiveness in the EU market. Through these measures, enterprises can effectively address the issues of rising costs and declining competitiveness caused by increased tariffs, while laying the foundation for sustainable development in the future.