The Zhitong Finance App learned that on July 13, the US launched an anti-evasion investigation on crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells (whether or not assembled into modules) originating in China in response to applications from eight domestic companies including First Solar. The investigation mainly focuses on two possible evasion paths: 1. Chinese components are assembled in Ethiopia and exported to the US via Ethiopia; 2. Chinese components are exported to Vietnam after completing PV cell assembly in Ethiopia, and are exported to Vietnam, and completed module assembly in Vietnam, and exported to the US via Vietnam.
The full text is as follows:
US launches anti-circumvention investigation into crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells
On July 13, 2026, in response to an application submitted by US domestic companies First Solar, Inc., Hanwha Q CELLS USA Inc., Talon PV, Swift Solar, Great Lakes Solex PR, LLC, DYCM Power, LLC, Suniva Inc., and Silfab Solar Inc., the United States for crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells originating in China (whether or not assembled into modules) ( (Whether or not coated into modules) initiated an anti-evasion investigation to examine whether the following two acts evaded US anti-dumping and countervailing duty orders: (1) Chinese components completed the assembly of photovoltaic cells and modules in Ethiopia and exported to the US through Ethiopia; (2) Chinese components were exported to Vietnam after completing the PV cell assembly in Ethiopia, and completed the modules in Vietnam Assembled and exported to the US via Vietnam. This case involves US customs codes 8501.71.0000, 8501.72.1000, 8501.72.2000, 8501.72.3000, 8501.72.9000, 8501.80.1000, 8501.80.2000, 8501.80.3000, 8501.80.9000, 8507.20.8010, 8507.20.8031, 8507.20.8041, 8507.20.8061, Products under 8507.20.8091, 8541.42.0010, and 8541.43.0010.
On November 8, 2011, the US Department of Commerce launched an anti-dumping and countervailing investigation against crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells (whether or not assembled into modules) originating in China. On October 17, 2012, the US Department of Commerce issued a final anti-dumping and countervailing ruling on crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells originating in China. On November 1, 2017, the US Department of Commerce initiated the first anti-dumping and countervailing sundown review investigation against crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells imported from China. On March 9, 2018, the US Department of Commerce issued the first affirmative anti-countervailing judgment against crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells imported from China in the Sunset Review. On March 12, 2018, the US Department of Commerce issued the first anti-dumping sunset review affirmative ruling on crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells imported from China. On February 1, 2024, the US Department of Commerce initiated the second anti-dumping and countervailing duty sunset review investigation against crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells imported from China. On June 6, 2024, the US Department of Commerce issued a second anti-dumping quick sunset review ruling on crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells imported from China. On June 7, 2024, the US Department of Commerce issued a second anti-subsidy quick sunset review ruling on crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells imported from China.
(Compiled from: US Federal Register)
This article is reprinted from “China Trade Remedies Information Network”; Zhitong Finance Editor: Chen Siyu