Vehicle SKD/OEM for Local Brands

Your local brand. Our vehicle SKD/OEM supply. DIDIDEDE primarily supports local brands and assembly partners developing electric two- and three-wheeler ranges. Start with a reference platform, review branding and component options, and define the SKD kit your team will assemble, sell and service in its own market.

For electric bicycles, mopeds, motorcycles and tricycles, we agree the model-specific OEM scope, battery configuration, kit breakdown, packing and pilot inspection with the importing partner. The programme connects your brand requirements with local assembly, spare parts and repeat-order planning.

Assess tariff options · See published duty comparisons · Compare supply formats · Compare landed costs · Request an SKD review

Your brand. An agreed vehicle configuration.

Choose a reference platform, then review the OEM options available for that model. Confirm branding and assembly scope in the quotation before approving a sample.

Brand presentation: review logo placement, colour, decals, labels and packaging artwork for your brand.
Vehicle configuration: agree the motor, controller, battery, charger, brakes and market-specific equipment as one specification.
SKD supply: define the parts supplied assembled or separately, the packing list and the operations your workshop will complete.
Local service: agree the initial spare-parts list, technical documents, inspection records and after-sales responsibilities.

From reference model to repeat orders

1. Share your brand brief. Destination, target customer, brand name, model reference, pilot quantity and expected order volume.
2. Agree the OEM and SKD scope. Review available changes, artwork, component configuration, kit breakdown and quotation.
3. Validate a pilot. Assemble and inspect the sample, record fit and functional checks, and close issues before production.
4. Freeze the repeat-order specification. Record approved parts, labels, packaging, inspection requirements and spare-parts arrangements.

Customisation availability, minimum quantities, development charges and lead times depend on the selected platform and approved scope. Local vehicle approval and customs treatment must be checked for the destination and actual kit.

Explore the local-brand SKD/OEM solution · Discuss your vehicle brand project

Start with the destination tariff position

The main commercial question is straightforward: does the confirmed duty treatment of the proposed SKD supply create enough savings to cover local assembly and the other project costs? In a market with a recognised local assembly programme or different treatment for qualifying kits, an SKD arrangement may offer a cost advantage. The applicable conditions must be established for the actual product and shipment.

Build two comparisons for the same vehicle specification: a complete built-up vehicle (CBU), and the proposed SKD kit. Identify the tariff classification, origin, customs valuation basis, ordinary duty and every applicable additional measure for each route. Include battery and component duties where relevant, then add freight, assembly, inspection and inventory costs. Use the rates and rules applicable on the planned entry date.

DIDIDEDE can provide the proposed kit contents and technical information for the assessment. The importer’s customs adviser confirms the destination treatment; the competent authority provides any binding ruling. Agree the supply scope after that review, rather than assuming the SKD label creates a tax benefit.

Selected markets · reviewed 3 November 2026

Where can a knock-down kit reduce import duty?

Some destinations recognise a lower duty for a qualifying kit. Others already charge no basic duty on complete electric motorcycles. These published examples show why the vehicle classification and the actual assembly state matter before an SKD order is agreed.

CBU = complete built-up vehicle. BCD = India’s basic customs duty. The table compares the named customs duties only, not the total landed cost. On mobile, swipe the table sideways.

Market and product	Complete vehicle	Qualifying kit	Rate comparison	Conditions and source
India — electric motorcycles, heading 8711	50% BCD	25% BCD	25 percentage points lower	Entry 329(1)(b): specified components may be interconnected, but must not be mounted on a chassis. Official source
India — electric motorcycles, heading 8711	50% BCD	15% BCD	35 percentage points lower	Entry 329(1)(a): specified components are not interconnected with each other and are not mounted on a chassis. Official source
Vietnam — electric motorcycles, ACFTA	45%	45% CKD	No rate difference in these lines	8711.60.93 non-CKD and 8711.60.13 CKD in the 2022–2027 schedule. Chinese origin and preferential-entry requirements, including Form E, apply. Official source
Singapore — electric motorcycles	0% customs duty	0% customs duty	Same customs and excise rates	87116093 non-CKD and 87116013 CKD also each carry 12% excise duty. GST and registration costs are separate. Official source
Australia — qualifying Chinese-origin vehicles	0% under ChAFTA	Assess each kit or component	CBU duty is already zero	The origin requirements must be met. There is no CBU customs duty to reduce below zero; kit and component treatment still needs assessment. Official source
Japan, New Zealand, Canada and South Africa — electric motorcycles, 8711.60	0% basic customs duty	0% if classified in the same vehicle line	No basic-duty rate reduction in that line	This comparison covers kits classified as vehicles under 8711.60. Separately classified batteries, motors and other parts require their own review.

India: an example at the same US$1,000 customs value. BCD would be US$500 at 50%, US$250 at 25%, or US$150 at 15%. The difference is US$250 or US$350 in BCD only. Actual values can differ; this example excludes surcharges, IGST, freight, local assembly and other project costs.

For three-wheelers, confirm classification first. Depending on design and use, a tricycle may fall under a different heading, including 8703 or 8704. The 8711 examples above must not be applied automatically to passenger or cargo tricycles.

A shipping description of “SKD” does not establish eligibility. Unassembled kits can retain complete-vehicle classification. Confirm the rules, origin and any additional measures applicable on the planned entry date before using a rate in a quotation.

Official references and product scope

United States: distinguish Section 301 tariffs from anti-dumping duties

The widely reported 100% U.S. tariff increase on certain Chinese electric vehicles in 2024 was a Section 301 additional tariff, not a blanket anti-dumping duty on every electric vehicle. The USTR final notice, pages 14–15, explicitly distinguished electric bicycles and motorcycles under HTSUS 8711.60.00 and did not include them in that particular increase. This historical example is not a current rate quotation or a classification decision for your model.

For a U.S. two- or three-wheeler project, check the actual vehicle or kit classification, Chinese origin, applicable Chapter 99 measures, exclusions and any relevant anti-dumping or countervailing duty order at the time of entry. A tricycle’s configuration and use need their own assessment. Do not apply a headline passenger-EV rate to all two- and three-wheelers.

SKD shipment or assembly in another country does not automatically remove Chinese origin or duties. Unassembled goods may retain complete-vehicle classification, and a relevant AD/CVD order may reach certain assembly operations through an anti-circumvention determination. The U.S. Department of Commerce explains scope rulings and anti-circumvention. For AD/CVD scope questions, Commerce—not a supplier’s shipping description—makes the relevant scope determination.

The objective is a documented, commercially viable tariff and supply assessment. No fixed saving, duty exemption or change of origin is promised simply because a vehicle is supplied as SKD.

SKD, CKD and complete vehicles: what changes?

SKD means semi-knocked-down; CKD means completely knocked-down. These are commercial descriptions, not universal customs classifications or fixed assembly specifications. The bill of materials and agreed assembly scope determine what is actually supplied.

Supply format	Typical shipment scope	Local work to plan
Complete vehicle	A substantially assembled vehicle, with transport-related preparation as agreed.	Receiving inspection, commissioning and pre-delivery checks.
SKD	Major assemblies with selected items such as wheels, seats, body panels or handlebars packed separately, depending on the model.	Mechanical assembly, specified electrical connections, adjustment and documented final inspection.
CKD	A more detailed set of components and subassemblies, defined in the purchase specification.	More assembly stations, tooling, technician training and process control. Welding or painting only if expressly included in the local scope.

Other labels, including DKD, can mean different things between suppliers. Ask for a marked-up component list and assembly sequence rather than choosing by acronym. A deeper breakdown is useful only when the receiving operation can assemble and inspect the product consistently.

Electric two-wheelers: define the mechanical and electrical interfaces

For an electric bicycle, moped or motorcycle, agree which assemblies arrive complete and which are fitted locally. Depending on the model, the local work may include wheels, handlebars, mirrors, panels or battery installation. Specify brake adjustment, steering alignment, cable routing, lighting and the final functional checks in the assembly instructions.

Match the battery, motor, controller and charger as one configuration. Record nominal and maximum charging voltage, current limits, connectors, polarity and any BMS communication requirements. Connector fit alone does not establish electrical compatibility. Road-use classification and any required type approval must be checked for the selected model in the destination market.

Electric three-wheelers: plan the chassis, drivetrain and body scope

For a cargo or passenger tricycle, define the supplied state of the frame, front assembly, rear axle, motor, suspension, brakes and body. If the cargo box can be supplied as separate panels, agree the joining method, fixture requirements and surface protection. Do not assume that every welded structure can be flat-packed or rebuilt with hand tools.

Confirm payload, gross vehicle mass and the intended operating conditions. Record the rear-axle and brake configuration, tyre specification, parking brake and any tipping mechanism. Lifting, alignment, fastener torque and safe inspection methods need their own work instructions. Passenger and cargo versions require separate configuration and market-approval reviews.

Browse the electric two-wheeler range and electric three-wheeler range, then send the model or reference you want to assemble. SKD availability and breakdown depth are confirmed per model.

When is an SKD project a good fit?

Established distributors: a trained service team and a workshop that can take on repeatable assembly work.
Fleet or regional programmes: demand that supports a defined model mix, spare-parts stock and a regular inspection process.
Local assembly partners: sufficient space, handling equipment and a named person responsible for quality release.

Once the tariff comparison supports the project, validate the local assembly cost with a controlled pilot. This turns the estimated duty advantage into a cost-per-vehicle calculation backed by actual assembly time and inspection results.

Compare the cost per saleable vehicle

Use the same model, battery specification, order quantity, Incoterm and destination for both options. Compare the cost of a vehicle ready for delivery to a customer—not just its price at the export port.

Cost line	Include in the comparison
Product and packaging	Vehicle or kit price, packing materials, pallets or crates and any tooling allocation.
Transport and clearance	Freight, insurance, port charges, brokerage, inland delivery and applicable dangerous-goods charges.
Duties and taxes	Destination classification, customs value and origin treatment. Separate recoverable taxes from costs, while allowing for their cash-flow effect.
Local assembly	Labour, facilities, equipment, inspection, commissioning and training.
Quality and inventory	Missing or damaged parts, rework, spares, financing and the time kits spend waiting for assembly.

SKD cost per saleable vehicle = total kit project cost ÷ units that pass final inspection. Compare this with the complete-vehicle route over the same period. Test the calculation with lower loading density, longer assembly time and slower sales as well as the planned case.

Container quantity must follow a model-specific loading plan showing crate dimensions, weight, stacking limits, unloading access and the battery shipping arrangement. Figures for another model or breakdown level are not a loading commitment for your order.

Confirm customs treatment before relying on a saving

Three separate questions need separate answers: tariff classification identifies the goods; customs valuation establishes their dutiable value; origin rules determine origin for the relevant trade measure. Local-content incentives and vehicle market approval may involve additional requirements.

A kit is not automatically “parts”. HS General Interpretative Rule 2(a) can classify a complete article presented unassembled or disassembled as the assembled article. Incomplete articles may also be covered when they have its essential character. See the WCO explanation of Rule 2(a).
Disassembly does not create an automatic valuation discount. Customs value generally starts with the price actually paid or payable, with required adjustments and conditions; a kit label is not a basis for an arbitrary reduction. See WTO customs valuation guidance.
Local assembly does not automatically confer local origin. Preferential and non-preferential origin rules differ. Check the applicable agreement or destination rules separately from classification and any local investment incentive. See the WCO origin overview.

Give your destination customs broker the actual kit list, drawings, assembly operations and transaction terms. Seek an advance ruling from the competent authority where available and appropriate. Confirm the basis for any proposed concession before including it in the commercial calculation.

Define the battery shipping arrangement

Record whether the battery is installed in a vehicle, packed with equipment or shipped separately. These arrangements can have different transport entries, packing instructions and documentation requirements; removing a pack does not automatically make the entire shipment general cargo.

For sea shipments, the IMDG Code Amendment 42-24 is mandatory from 1 January 2026. It includes a specific entry for lithium-ion-battery-powered vehicles, UN 3556. Have the dangerous-goods specialist confirm the applicable entry, special provisions, packaging, marks and carrier acceptance for the actual configuration. Air shipments require a separate assessment under the applicable air transport rules.

Confirm availability and applicability of the UN 38.3 test summary for the battery type, the SDS where requested, and the shipment documents required by the selected route. UN 38.3 transport testing does not establish vehicle road approval. CE documentation, IEC 62133 or other product standards should be assessed against the actual product and destination—not promised as a standard certificate set for every kit.

At the receiving site, follow the battery manufacturer’s specified storage temperature, state of charge, inspection and recharge intervals. Include protected storage, safe handling and a procedure for damaged batteries in the assembly plan.

Approve a pilot before the first production container

Freeze the configuration. Confirm the model, motor, controller, battery, charger, brakes, connectors and market-specific equipment in one controlled specification.
Approve the kit and loading plan. Identify each part and carton by model and variant; agree packing protection, quantities and unloading requirements.
Prepare the workstation. Define lifting equipment, calibrated tools, fastener torque values, wiring checks and the inspection sequence.
Assemble and inspect the pilot. Record labour time, fit issues, missing parts, configuration checks and final test results against agreed acceptance criteria.
Close issues before scaling. Update the instructions, spare-parts list and packaging, then approve the repeat-order configuration.

Prevent the problems that stop an assembly line

Common problem	Control to agree before shipment
A missing bracket or fastener	Component-level packing checks, kit identification and a shortage-report process.
The wrong harness, charger or controller setting	Variant coding and a configuration record matching the battery and drivetrain.
Unclear torque or wiring instructions	Model-specific assembly sheets with units, sequence and inspection sign-off points.
Damage discovered during assembly	Packing protection, receiving photographs and an agreed claims procedure.
A completed vehicle waiting for one replacement part	An agreed initial spares list and replenishment process.

The supply agreement should distinguish component defects from assembly workmanship and define evidence, claim handling and remedies. Keep serial numbers and assembly records so a fault can be traced to the supplied component, configuration or local operation.

What to send for your local-brand SKD/OEM project

Send the information below so we can review model suitability and discuss an appropriate supply scope with you:

Destination and tax position: country, discharge port, intended vehicle use, current complete-vehicle duty assessment, proposed kit treatment and any broker advice or ruling already obtained.
Your brand and product: brand name, artwork, preferred colour, model reference, OEM changes, pilot quantity, expected repeat volume and battery requirements.
Assembly capability: workshop space, handling equipment, available technicians and operations you intend to perform locally.
Commercial scope: requested Incoterm, delivery target, battery shipping preference and required documentation.
Support needs: assembly instructions, tooling, training, spare parts and proposed after-sales responsibilities.

The kit contents, loading quantity, technical support, documents, lead time and warranty responsibilities must be confirmed in the model-specific quotation and supply agreement.

Discuss your local-brand SKD/OEM programme · Email: sales@dididede.com · WhatsApp +86 15960214177

Frequently asked questions

Does SKD export of electric two- or three-wheelers always reduce duty?

No. The destination classification and any applicable concession determine the treatment. Compare the confirmed duty position and total project costs before assuming a saving.

How many kits fit in a 40HQ container?

It depends on the model, breakdown level, packing dimensions, weight and loading restrictions. Request a loading plan for the configuration you intend to order.

Can every two- or three-wheeler be supplied as SKD or CKD?

Availability and breakdown depth require a model-by-model review. Share the intended model and local assembly capability so the workable scope can be checked.

Can the battery ship separately?

A separate battery shipment can be assessed, but it is not automatically simpler or cheaper. Compare transport classification, packaging, carrier acceptance, arrival timing and storage arrangements for both options.

Can DIDIDEDE help with assembly preparation?

Include the documentation, tooling guidance, training or layout assistance you need in the enquiry. The available support and delivery scope will be confirmed for the project.