Finding a Real Manufacturer vs. a Trading Company
The first decision you make when sourcing e-bikes determines everything that follows: your unit cost, your quality consistency, your ability to customize, and how quickly you can get replacement parts two years from now.
China has two very different kinds of suppliers, and they often look identical on a B2B platform.
A trading company buys finished bikes from factories, marks them up, and resells them. They don't control production, which limits customization depth and slows response when production issues arise.
A real manufacturer owns or directly manages production. Hangzhou Lantu Technology Co., Ltd., for example, is an OEM/ODM electric bike manufacturer with a team that has worked in the e-bike industry since 2007 — over 15 years. Production capacity runs at 3,000 units per month, and the company exports to more than 50 countries, including markets in North America and Europe.
Here's how to tell them apart before you commit:
- Ask what they actually make. A manufacturer can list specific models with specific component specs — motor brand and wattage, battery voltage and amp-hours, tire size and brand, brake type, drivetrain speed count. Verify these independently.
- Ask about customization depth. Lantu offers 12 customizable components: frame, motor, battery, tires, display, lights, front fork, saddle, brakes, gearing, color, and logo. That's a production capability, not a reseller service.
- Ask for the plant address and a video walkthrough. Verify the address and walkthrough independently.
- Ask which certifications they hold. Real factories hold their own documentation. Certificates are available upon request.
- Check the model lineup for coherence. A manufacturer's catalog shows platform thinking — shared frames, motor families, voltage tiers. Lantu's range runs from a 500W Bafang on the FT-09 to a 3,000W hub motor with 170Nm of torque on the performance end.
If you're evaluating suppliers right now, our [factory overview](/factory/) explains how production is organized and what OEM/ODM support covers.
MOQ Realities: 10 Pieces, and Why Sample Orders Matter
Most distributors assume the MOQ conversation starts in the hundreds. With Lantu, it starts at 10 units.
The listed top products show a 10-unit MOQ. The practical effect is that you can validate a supplier with a real order instead of a PowerPoint.
A workable low-risk sequence looks like this:
- 1. Ask about sample orders. Confirm the sample-order quantity with the supplier. Test it yourself. Ride it. Check the welds, the cable routing, the display firmware, the battery mount.
- 2. Order a small batch (around the 10-unit MOQ). Sell them to a few trusted dealers or run them through your own channel. Collect failure data.
- 3. Scale to container volume once the returns rate and dealer feedback are acceptable.
Ask whether mixed-model orders are permitted.
Certifications to Require: CE, EN15194, RoHS, CPSC, EEC
Certification is where importers get burned, because the paperwork that gets you through customs is not always the paperwork that makes your product legal to sell.
Require these, and require them before you pay a deposit:
CE
The European Union's conformity marking. Confirm the applicable legal requirements for your destination market.
EN15194
The specific European standard for electrically power-assisted cycles (EPACs). It governs motor cut-off behavior, maximum continuous rated power, battery safety, and electromagnetic compatibility. Request the applicable conformity documentation for your product.
RoHS
Restriction of Hazardous Substances. Request the applicable RoHS documentation for your product.
CPSC
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission requirements. Relevant if you're selling into the United States. Request the exact applicable requirements and supporting documents.
EEC
The European homologation framework for moped-class vehicles. This matters if your product line includes moped-style bikes that exceed EPAC limits. Lantu's Revenge EEC model carries EEC certification. Verify road-registration requirements for your destination.
What to demand from your supplier:
- A scanned certificate for each applicable standard
- A declaration of conformity tied to the specific model you're buying
- Confirmation that the certificate covers the exact configuration — motor, battery, and controller combination — you're ordering
Certificates are available upon request from Lantu. Ask for them early, and verify that the model numbers on the certificate match the model numbers on your PO. A certificate for a 250W European-spec bike does not cover a 1,000W off-road version.
Trade Terms: EXW, FOB, CIF, and DDP Explained
The Incoterm you choose determines who pays for what, and where your risk transfers from the seller to you. Lantu works with all four of the terms below, plus sea, air, and express shipping.
Lantu works with EXW, FOB, CIF, and DDP, plus sea, air, and express shipping. Verify the obligations under each term for your order, and confirm UN 38.3 documentation and shipping declarations for lithium batteries.
QC: What to Verify Before Shipment
Every unit and every accessory should go through the manufacturer's QC team before it leaves. That's the baseline claim from Lantu, and it's what you should verify independently on your first orders.
Structure your inspection around these checkpoints:
Frames
Frame integrity is the single most expensive failure to discover in the field. Lantu uses galvanized frames with internal and external treatment plus a special coating for rust resistance. Ask your inspector to confirm the coating uniformity — inside the tubes as well as outside — and to look for weld porosity, especially at the head tube and bottom bracket.
Electrical system
- Battery voltage and capacity match the PO (a 48V 15Ah is not a 48V 20Ah)
- Controller cut-off behavior under braking
- Display boots and shows correct speed, assist level, and battery state
- Throttle and pedal-assist both function and cut off correctly
- Wiring harness connectors are sealed and strain-relieved
Mechanical
- Brake type and function — hydraulic disc on most models in this range
- Drivetrain shifting through all gears
- Tire size and brand match specification (KENDA appears across several models)
- Torque on all critical fasteners
- Folding mechanisms lock positively, where applicable
Cosmetic and packaging
- Paint and decal defects
- Missing accessories: chargers, keys, tools, manuals
- Carton strength and internal padding adequate for ocean freight
Get the inspection done before the container is sealed. Once it's on the water, remediation means shipping parts internationally at your cost. If you're not set up for third-party inspection, request the QC report and photos of the actual batch.
Warranty and Spare Parts
Lantu offers a 1-year warranty on electrical control components and a 2-year warranty on mechanical parts.
What to lock down in your supply agreement:
- What's covered and what isn't. Water damage, crash damage, and unauthorized modification should be excluded. Be explicit.
- The claim process. Photos, video, serial number, order number. Agree on the format before you need it.
- Turnaround time. How fast does a replacement part ship after an approved claim?
- Who pays shipping. Agree in writing who pays return shipping for replacement parts.
Spare parts are the real differentiator. Ask your supplier about spare-part availability, lead time, and compatibility before you order.
Ask how customization affects parts commonality before you commit to a wide SKU spread.
Timeline: Samples at 7–15 Days, Mass Production at 30–45 Days
Industry-typical lead times are 7–15 days for samples and 30–45 days for bulk production.
Plan your first order with slack. If you need bikes in dealers' hands by a specific season, work backward from that date, confirm the schedule with the supplier, and add a buffer.
FAQ
What is the MOQ for importing e-bikes from this supplier?
10 units for listed top products. Ask whether mixed-model orders are permitted.
Are sample orders possible before a bulk order?
Ask about sample availability. Industry-typical sample lead time is 7–15 days. Test the sample thoroughly — ride quality, electrical function, and finish — before you approve mass production.
Which certifications should I require?
CE, EN15194, RoHS, CPSC, and EEC, depending on your destination market. EN15194 is essential for EU e-bike sales; CPSC applies to the U.S.; EEC matters for moped-class models. Certificates are available upon request — verify that the certificate covers the exact model and configuration you're buying.
What trade terms are available?
EXW, FOB, CIF, and DDP, with sea, air, and express shipping options. Verify the obligations under each term for your order.
How long does production take?
Industry-typical timelines are 7–15 days for samples and 30–45 days for bulk production.
What warranty do you offer, and are spare parts available?
1 year on electrical components and 2 years on mechanical parts. Confirm the claim process, replacement turnaround, and part availability in writing before you order.
How fast will I receive a response?
Our team responds to inquiries within 24 hours and provides 24/7 online service.
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Ready to move from evaluation to pricing? [Contact the factory](/contact/) with your target models, volumes, and destination market, and our team will respond to your inquiry within 24 hours. Certificates available upon request. For the full OEM/ODM program, see our [wholesale page](/wholesale/).