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Solar Panel Tariffs in the USA, EU and UK 2026: What Chinese-Origin Modules Really Cost

Comprehensive 2026 tariff map for solar panels imported into the United States, European Union and United Kingdom. Section 201, AD/CVD, UFLPA, CBAM and how to structure your supply chain.

Chinese.Solar Editorial2026-05-1214 min read
CHINA

Tariffs and non-tariff measures now add 0–58% on top of ex-factory Chinese prices depending on where you land the goods. This guide maps the current stack and the legal supply-chain routes still open in 2026.

US Section 201 (2026)

14%

declining schedule

US AD/CVD combined (peak)

up to 254%

SE Asia country-specific

EU MIP (minimum import price)

€0.185/W

not in force in 2026

EU CBAM (aluminium frame)

€8–14/kW

phased 2026

United States

Direct China-origin panels remain effectively banned by AD/CVD stacking. Chinese-owned facilities in Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia face AD/CVD in the 15–58% range following the 2024 anti-circumvention ruling; a growing share of US-bound volume comes from Indonesia and Laos. UFLPA compliance requires polysilicon traceability back to non-Xinjiang mines, documented at the wafer, cell and module stage.

European Union

The EU has no anti-dumping duty on Chinese modules as of 2026. CBAM begins applying to aluminium frames from January 2026, adding an estimated €8–14/kW depending on the aluminium's embedded carbon. The Net-Zero Industry Act creates optional preferences for EU-manufactured modules in public tenders above 25 MW but no import ban.

United Kingdom

UK maintains zero import duty on solar modules. The Procurement Act 2023 introduces slavery/forced-labour due diligence obligations for public buyers — analogous to UFLPA but less prescriptive. Private commercial imports face no China-specific restrictions.

Diagram

US import tariff decision tree for Chinese-origin solar

Solar module destined for USA
Cell origin?
Chinese cell → 250%+ AD/CVD + S201 + S301
Non-Chinese cell (SEA / US)
Polysilicon traceable away from XUAR?
Yes → Clears CBP
No → UFLPA hold
Route-planning matters

The same 620W TOPCon module lands at $0.117/W in Rotterdam, ~$0.155/W in Los Angeles (via Cambodia) and ~$0.098/W in Manchester. Route your project's supply chain to the tariff regime, not the other way around.

Frequently asked questions

QCan I still import Chinese-brand solar panels to the US?

Yes, but not from China itself. Buy from the Southeast Asian production facilities of LONGi (Vietnam), Jinko (Malaysia), Trina (Thailand), Canadian Solar (Thailand) and JA Solar (Vietnam) with full UFLPA documentation.

QDoes CBAM apply to the whole panel?

Only to the covered components — as of 2026 that's aluminium frame and (partially) glass. The silicon cell and backsheet are outside CBAM scope for now.

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