ADVERTISEMENTs
US probes India's Waaree Energies for possible evasion of solar tariffs
U.S. imports of solar panels from India have surged in the last two years since the Commerce Department imposed tariffs on goods from four Southeast Asian nations that had made up the bulk of the nation's panel supplies.
-
Reuters - Thu, 25, Sep 2025
- 23:48 EDT
- 15
A technician checks the machine with a flashlight at a solar panel manufacturing hub in Greater Noida, on the outskirts of New Delhi India, October 23, 2024. REUTERS/Priyanshu Singh/File Photo / REUTERS/Priyanshu Singh/File Photo
U.S. customs officials said on Sept. 25 they were investigating whether Indian solar company Waaree Energies sidestepped U.S. tariffs on Chinese-made cells and panels by labeling them as made in India.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection revealed the probe in a memo to attorneys for Waaree and the American Alliance for Solar Manufacturing Trade Committee, a coalition of domestic solar manufacturers that requested the investigation in letters to the agency earlier this year.
In the memo, the agency said there was reasonable suspicion that Waaree had failed to label some of its imported products as subject to antidumping and countervailing duties the United States has imposed for years on solar cells and panels made in China and other Asian nations.
It said it was taking steps to protect U.S. revenues, such as requiring cash deposits from the company while the investigation is ongoing.
An attorney for Waaree did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A company spokesperson could not immediately be reached outside of regular business hours.
U.S. imports of solar panels from India have surged in the last two years since the Commerce Department imposed tariffs on goods from four Southeast Asian nations that had made up the bulk of the nation's panel supplies. The United States has imposed tariffs on Chinese-made panels for more than a decade.
The American Alliance for Solar Manufacturing Trade Committee, which includes solar companies Qcells, a division of Korea's Hanwha Corp, and First Solar, applauded the probe.
"Indian solar products have been among the lowest prices in the market, and now we know why that's possible: by using Chinese cells and not paying the duties that apply to them," Tim Brightbill, the group's attorney, said in a statement.
The Alliance earlier this year also asked the Commerce Department to impose antidumping and countervailing tariffs on cells and panels imported from India, Indonesia and Laos.
Related
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
E Paper
ADVERTISEMENT
Video
Comments
Start the conversation
Become a member of New India Abroad to start commenting.
Sign Up Now
Already have an account? Login