Solar Cells From Three Countries Face New U.S. Import Duties
Published Date: 11/9/2026
Notice
Summary
Starting November 9, 2026, the U.S. is putting extra taxes on solar panels from India, Indonesia, and Laos because these imports hurt American solar businesses. This means companies importing these solar cells will pay more, helping U.S. makers compete fairly. If you’re in the solar business, get ready for these new costs and rules!
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Large countervailing duties on solar cells
If you import crystalline silicon solar cells from India, Indonesia, or Laos, Commerce will require countervailing duties and cash deposits starting on November 9, 2026. The notice lists company-specific ad valorem subsidy rates, e.g., 126.09% for Mundra Solar (India) and all-others (India); 173.70% for PT Blue Sky Solar Indonesia and 73.20% for PT REC Solar Energy Indonesia and all-others (Indonesia); and 82.03% for Solarspace Technology (Laos) and 153.67% for Vietnam Sunergy (Laos) and all-others (Laos).
Retroactive duties for Indonesian imports (critical circumstances)
For solar cells from Indonesia (including PT Blue Sky Solar Indonesia and all other Indonesian producers/exporters), Commerce will apply retroactive countervailing duties to suspended entries entered or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption on or after November 28, 2025. This retroactivity stems from an affirmative critical circumstances finding for Indonesia.
Refunds for certain India and Laos entries (no critical circumstances)
Commerce will instruct CBP to lift suspension of liquidation and refund cash deposits for suspended entries of solar cells from India and Laos that were entered or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption on or after November 28, 2025 but before February 26, 2026. The ITC found no critical circumstances for India and Laos, so duties will not be applied retroactively for that period.
Gap period entries not subject to duties (provisional measures expired)
Entries of solar cells from India, Indonesia, and Laos made on or after June 26, 2026 and prior to the date of publication of the ITC's final determinations (November 9, 2026) are not subject to assessment of countervailing duties because the four-month provisional measures period ended June 25, 2026. Commerce instructed CBP to terminate suspension of liquidation and liquidate those entries without regard to countervailing duties.
Coverage rule for modules assembled in third countries
Modules, laminates, and panels that are produced in a third country using cells produced in a subject country (India, Indonesia, or Laos) are covered by these orders. Conversely, modules produced in a subject country from cells produced in a third country are not covered by the orders.
Many small/off-grid panels and integrated cells excluded
Certain small panels and consumer-integrated cells are excluded from the orders. Examples include crystalline silicon cells permanently integrated into a consumer good not exceeding 10,000 mm² total surface area, panels from 3,450 mm² to 33,782 mm² with one black and one red wire not exceeding 2.9 volts/1.1 amps/3.19 watts, and various off-grid small portable panels with power and surface-area limits (e.g., up to 200 watts or maximum area thresholds like 16,000 cm²) that meet specific connector and packaging criteria.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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