Solar Panel Tariff Dodge Probe Launched by Commerce
Published Date: 7/17/2026
Notice
Summary
The U.S. Department of Commerce is checking if solar cells made in Ethiopia or Vietnam using Chinese parts are sneaking around tariffs meant for Chinese solar products. This move affects companies importing these solar cells into the U.S. and could lead to new duties or rules starting July 17, 2026. Basically, if these products are found to dodge existing tariffs, they might face extra costs or restrictions soon.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Imports from Ethiopia/Vietnam May Face Duties
If you import crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells or modules completed in Ethiopia using parts from China, or modules assembled in Vietnam using additional Chinese inputs, those products are the subject of a country-wide circumvention inquiry that began July 17, 2026. If Commerce finds they are circumventing the antidumping and countervailing duty orders on products from China, those imports could be brought within the scope of the orders and face additional duties.
Customs Suspension and Cash Deposits Begin
Commerce directed U.S. Customs and Border Protection to continue suspending liquidation of entries already suspended under the Orders and to apply cash deposit rates as if the products were covered by the Orders. Commerce may also direct CBP to begin suspension of liquidation and require cash deposits for unliquidated entries entered on or after July 17, 2026, and, in some cases, for certain earlier unliquidated entries but not prior to November 4, 2021.
Producers Must Respond or Face Adverse Inference
Commerce intends to solicit information from companies in Ethiopia (and related parties) and will select respondents using U.S. Customs and Border Protection data placed on the record within five days of this notice; comments on that data are due within seven days of placement. Companies that fail to fully respond to Commerce's questionnaires risk having facts applied against them, including adverse inferences under section 776, which can lead to unfavorable determinations.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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