DOC releases preliminary determination into AD investigation on imported solar cells and panels
The tariffs proposed range from 21.31% to 271.28%, with a large number of companies in Vietnam exposed to these
Trina Solar, Jinko Solar, and JA Solar are on the list; final determinations are expected on April 18, 2025
The US Department of Commerce (DOC) has released its preliminary determination into the antidumping (AD) investigation regarding tariffs on imported solar panels from the 4 Southeast Asian nations of Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.
It recommends imposing duties in the range of 21.31% to 271.28% on crystalline solar PV cells whether or not assembled into modules imported to the US from the 4 above-mentioned countries. All of these rates are based on facts available with ‘adverse inferences,’ it adds. The period of investigation is April 1, 2023, through March 31, 2024.
The department’s preliminary determination into AD tariffs proposes imposing the following weighted-average dumping margins:
125.37% for Hounen Solar, Solar Long PV Tech Cambodia, and all others in Cambodia
21.31% to 81.24% is the range for companies in Malaysia, including 21.31% for Jinko Solar Technology Sdn. Bhd.
In Thailand, the tariffs proposed are 77.85% for Trina Solar Science & Technology (Thailand) Ltd. and all others; for both Sunshine Electrical Energy and Taihua New Energy (Thailand) Co. Ltd., the tariff suggested is 154.68%
Vietnam is where the largest number of companies will be affected as the tariffs range from 53.30% to 271.28%. Some of the names listed are JA Solar Vietnam, Jinko Solar (Vietnam) Industries Company Limited, Blue Moon Vina, Boviet Solar Technology, Trina Solar Energy Development Company, among others.
Philip Shen of ROTH MKM pointed out, “Most of the AD margins and cash deposit rates were inline-ish with the petitioners' rates, except for Malaysia, which was significantly lower at ~17%. Mandatory respondent and petitioner Hanwha (KSE: 009830, NC) received a de minimis Malaysia rate of 0%.”
While these are only preliminary findings, one can expect the high exposure of companies operating in Vietnam to take a hit and lower their cell exports to the US, whereas the same may increase from Malaysia due to lower tariffs and a good supply of solar cells that the US currently lacks.
Additionally, these are likely to push up module prices which could bring down market demand next year.
The DOC launched an antidumping (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) investigation into crystalline silicon solar cells from the 4 Southeast Asian nations in May 2024. It was in response to a petition filed by the American Alliance for Solar Manufacturing Trade Committee (AASMTC) that counts First Solar and Hanwha Q CELLS USA as members. The petition claimed cheaper imports from the Chinese companies from these 4 destinations are harming the local businesses in the US (see US Commerce Department Initiates AD/CVD Investigations).
In October 2024, the DOC issued its preliminary determination into CVD rates, and the final determination expected to be released on April 11, 2025 (see Tier I PV Makers Largely Unscathed By US DOC’s Preliminary CVD Rates).
The DOC will release the final determinations into the AD investigation on April 18, 2025, to be followed by the USITC making its final determinations on June 2, 2025. A final order will then be released on June 9, 2025, according to the case calendar.