Is a 1500w hub and DIY battery risky for passing through customs when traveling?

[moime]

Hello everyone, I have a dilemma and I really can't decide, so I thought maybe some different opinions could help me...

A year ago, I built myself an electric bike from an old, basic steel bike (Topbike Hobby 100) with a 1500W hub and a homemade battery with large LiFePO4 cells.

This bike cost me less than 500 euros since I already had the bike.

At first, I thought I'd only use it for trips in Europe, but sometimes I imagine I might be tempted to go as far as Morocco or Turkey, or even further...

What worries me most is whether I'll be able to get through customs easily with a 1500W hub and a homemade LiFePO4 battery? (It won't be like the ones in the photos, but wrapped in foam and heat-shrink tubing and placed in the bag in the center of the bike.)

My second option is to buy a Surly, a BBSHHD, and a factory battery, but this project will cost me five times more, and I want to know if it's worth it in your opinion, or if my current bike will be suitable for my future projects?

 

[RunForTheHills]

I don't know anything about ebike law enforcement in Europe, but why would a BBSHD and factory battery be any more legal in Europe than what you already have? I thought ebikes were limited to 250W and 15mph in Europe. If they really are inspecting ebikes at the border crossing , your best bet would be a name brand factory made ebike that is compliant with the local ebike laws. Then you can show the factory documentation that it is compliant.

 

[amberwolf]

Your best bet is to discuss this with both ends of the customs process on each border before attempting, as well as your transportation method. Find out what the rules are, and what taxes you have to pay at each side of each crossing.


If you're going by air, the battery probably can't go with you; depends on the rules where you start and end up and the aircarrier you choose.


So the answer to the thread title question is...it depends.

 

[gromike]

Yeah, that battery will be considered a bomb wherever you go.

 

[moime]

I've included this photo of the battery so you can see what type it is, but it will be wrapped in foam and heat-shrink tubing...

The real question is whether any travelers have already crossed these borders easily with a 1500W hub motor and a homemade LiFePO4 battery.

But I can certainly change the battery, at least.

 

[E-HP]

I've included this photo of the battery so you can see what type it is, but it will be wrapped in foam and heat-shrink tubing...

The real question is whether any travelers have already crossed these borders easily with a 1500W hub motor and a homemade LiFePO4 battery.

But I can certainly change the battery, at least.

So you are driving to Morroco?

 

[moime]

So you are driving to Morroco?

Not now, but maybe someday, so I'd like to know if it's worth investing or if my setup will pass (especially regarding the border).

 

[RunForTheHills]

Advice that is valid today may not be the best approach next year.

 

[Apartunis]

It seems to me that your ease of passage would be dependent on how you try to cross the border. If you ride the bike, then most likely you'll have no problem. Drive a car with the bike hanging on, and it could go either way depending on where you are and when you get there. Flying on a passenger plane along with that battery probably won't happen anywhere in the world at this time.

European passenger rail companies surely have some policy on e-bike batteries that you could look up, or ask about at your local station.

 

[moime]

Yes, of course, batteries over 100Wh are completely prohibited on airplanes. I was thinking more about crossing the border with a bicycle, or perhaps with the bicycle in the car; I should have specified that.

 

[Comrade]

Those batteries do look suspicious. It's better to hide them. Can you wrap them around your body and wear a coat?

 

[n00b]

Yeah, that battery will be considered a bomb wherever you go.

Hazardous materials, just like gunpowder.

 

[amberwolf]

Not now, but maybe someday, so I'd like to know if it's worth investing or if my setup will pass (especially regarding the border).

What are the rules at the border(s) you will cross?

What are the allowable ebike things in the places you intend to go? (would your bike even be allowed in, or would it be allowed on the roads? etc)

 

[OlderGiantFan]

Well I'd say if it's on the back of a car you could state it's for off-road use on private property. No laws in effect there. If you tried to ride it across though you might have all manner of issues.

 

[moime]

I know the motor is too powerful for riding just anywhere anyway, but if you're not going 60 km/h without pedaling, it should theoretically be fine.

I protected the battery, finished the assembly, and added heat-shrink tubing. The battery looks like this now! It will be placed in a bag in the center of the bike, in the triangle.

 

[amberwolf]

I know the motor is too powerful for riding just anywhere anyway, but if you're not going 60 km/h without pedaling, it should theoretically be fine.

If you want to actually know what is "ok" and what is not, you can't assume theoretical possibilities.

Since you apparently already know that there are places your motor is not allowed, then to be sure it would be allowed where you wish to take it, you must check the rules for those places (best done at teh official sites or contacts for those).

Otherwise, you will have to deal with whatever consequences of breaking those rules, which perhaps could theoretically include confiscation of the entire bike, fines, or even further consequences that could include banning from ever crossing that border, incarceration for breaking the rules, etc.

While the latter seem unlikely, they are theoretically possible depending on the attitudes of the border crossing enforcers, and the laws passed over time by various lawmakers in the country being crossed into, that may not be based on any realworld concepts or needs.

In short...you have to actually check official sources to determine the risk. I doubt that anyone on this forum or any other randomly-chosen ebike forum could provide good legal advice on the proposed situation and items. Certainly I wouldn't want to rely on that and risk my transportation and money and potentially freedom.

 

[moime]

If you want to actually know what is "ok" and what is not, you can't assume theoretical possibilities.

Since you apparently already know that there are places your motor is not allowed, then to be sure it would be allowed where you wish to take it, you must check the rules for those places (best done at teh official sites or contacts for those).

Otherwise, you will have to deal with whatever consequences of breaking those rules, which perhaps could theoretically include confiscation of the entire bike, fines, or even further consequences that could include banning from ever crossing that border, incarceration for breaking the rules, etc.

While the latter seem unlikely, they are theoretically possible depending on the attitudes of the border crossing enforcers, and the laws passed over time by various lawmakers in the country being crossed into, that may not be based on any realworld concepts or needs.

In short...you have to actually check official sources to determine the risk. I doubt that anyone on this forum or any other randomly-chosen ebike forum could provide good legal advice on the proposed situation and items. Certainly I wouldn't want to rely on that and risk my transportation and money and potentially freedom.

I thank you but I prefer to wait for concrete experiences from people who have done this, that's what I'm looking for, I already know the rules but they don't always reflect reality