India's 40% Basic Customs Duty on modules and the ALMM restriction on Chinese-made modules make direct panel imports difficult — but cell imports remain viable and the cell BCD stays at 25% through FY26. This guide covers what still ships legally.
China solar cell BCD
25%
vs 40% modules
Cells CIF Mundra (TOPCon 210)
$0.038/W
May 2026
India cell manufacturing 2025
26 GW
capacity
ALMM modules required for
gov + net-metering
not private C&I export
Cell import route
Indian module manufacturers (Waaree, Vikram, Adani, Premier) import Chinese TOPCon cells at $0.038/W CIF and laminate domestically to meet ALMM. Cell demand from India is now ~26 GW/year and rising as domestic cell capacity lags module capacity by 24 months.
When Chinese modules can still ship to India
- SEZ / EOU units for re-export (no BCD, no ALMM)
- Private commercial rooftop with no net-metering claim (BCD payable)
- R&D and demonstration projects under MNRE waiver
- Backup pool for utility projects with ALMM shortage waiver
Frequently asked questions
QCan I import through Nepal or Bangladesh to avoid BCD?
No — SAFTA rules-of-origin require substantial regional transformation. Rebadging is aggressively caught by DGTR.
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