Electronics and solar

Import solar cells and panels

Modules pay 20% BCD plus 20% AIDC; cells 20% plus 7.5% AIDC. ALMM rules decide whether imported panels can be used in a project.

Free to importHS 8541.43

Basic customs duty: 20%
Social welfare surcharge: Nil (exempted; AIDC levied instead)
IGST: 5%
India’s imports, 2025-26: US$ 4.05 bn

Budget 2025–26 (from 02.02.2025) cut the BCD on solar cells from 25% to 20% with 7.5% AIDC, and on modules from 40% to 20% with 20% AIDC, removing SWS. Budget 2026–27 left these rates unchanged. IGST is 5% on photovoltaic cells, whether or not assembled in modules (Notification 9/2025-Integrated Tax (Rate), from 22.09.2025). Agriculture Infrastructure and Development Cess (AIDC): 7.5% on cells (8541 42), 20% on modules (8541 43). Anti-dumping duty may also apply — see below. Union Budget 2025–26 — Budget Speech with Annexure to Part B (customs rate changes) ↗

What is imported

Solar cells and modules are imported by module makers, EPC contractors and traders. China is the dominant supplier. India protects local manufacturing with high customs duty, the ALMM approved list, a BIS registration requirement and, for Chinese cells, anti-dumping action — so the landed cost and the use you can put the panels to both need checking before you order.

Import policy · Free to import

Free to import under ITC(HS). But under MNRE’s ALMM Order, modules used in government-supported, net-metering and open-access projects must be on ALMM List-I, and from 1 June 2026 their cells must come from ALMM List-II (MNRE, 25 May 2026: no blanket extension). Imported modules not on the list can only go to projects outside the ALMM rule.

Anti-dumping and safeguard duty

DGTR’s final findings of 29 September 2025 recommended anti-dumping duty for three years on solar cells, whether or not assembled in modules, from China. Anti-dumping duty on solar glass from China and Vietnam has also been in the news. The rate differs by producer — confirm on CBIC whether a Customs (ADD) notification is in force and the rate for your exact supplier before you sign.

Licences and registrations you need

BIS (CRS, under MNRE’s Solar PV order)Solar PV modules and specified components must be registered with BIS for that model before sale in India. The foreign factory holds the registration.crsbis.in ↗
MNRE (ALMM)Check that the module model and factory are on ALMM List-I, and the cells on List-II, if the panels are for a government-supported, net-metering or open-access project.mnre.gov.in ↗
CPCB (E-Waste Rules, 2022)The E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 cover solar PV modules, panels and cells. Producers, including importers, must register on CPCB’s e-waste portal.eprewastecpcb.in ↗

What is checked at the port

BIS registration number and mark on each module for the declared model.
Producer name on the invoice, to apply the right anti-dumping rate.
Classification of cells versus modules, and of modules versus complete solar generators.

Practical tips

Price the order with BCD, AIDC, any anti-dumping duty and 5% IGST before you compare with Indian ALMM-listed modules.
Ask for flash-test reports for each pallet and book an independent pre-shipment inspection for cracks and power output.
Confirm with your customer, in writing, whether the project falls under ALMM before buying non-listed modules.

Where new importers go wrong

Importing modules for a rooftop or net-metering job and then finding they cannot be used because they are not on ALMM.
Forgetting the 20% AIDC on modules when quoting — it doubles the customs duty you budgeted.
Modules without BIS registration for that exact model get held at the port.

Sources (8)

Import data

Where India buys solar cells and panels

India’s imports from the Department of Commerce’s TradeStat, country by country. US$, financial years.

Imports, 2025-26: US$ 4.05 bn
Change from 2024-25: +6.9%
Supplying countries: 27
Biggest supplier: China

Where India imports solar cells and panels from — among our 80 countries, 2025-26

India’s solar cells and panels imports · US$ million · year not shown

Biggest supplying countries

Name2025-26Change

1ChinaUS$ 2.37 bn-22.3%

2IndonesiaUS$ 460 mn+674.9%

3VietnamUS$ 388 mn-9%

4ThailandUS$ 262 mn+142.6%

5EthiopiaUS$ 203 mn—

6MalaysiaUS$ 112 mn+1,767.3%

7SingaporeUS$ 67 mn+387.1%

8Lao Pd RpUS$ 63.7 mn+2,198.9%

9Hong KongUS$ 54.9 mn-35.6%

10UnspecifiedUS$ 38.2 mn+3,81,800%

11United Arab EmiratesUS$ 13.4 mn+574.2%

12United States of AmericaUS$ 12.5 mn-37%

Which sources are growing and shrinking

Growing sources

Lao Pd RpUS$ 2.8 mn → US$ 63.7 mn+2,198.9%
MalaysiaUS$ 6 mn → US$ 112 mn+1,767.3%
IndonesiaUS$ 59.4 mn → US$ 460 mn+674.9%
SingaporeUS$ 13.8 mn → US$ 67 mn+387.1%
ThailandUS$ 108 mn → US$ 262 mn+142.6%

Shrinking sources

Hong KongUS$ 85.3 mn → US$ 54.9 mn-35.6%
ChinaUS$ 3.05 bn → US$ 2.37 bn-22.3%

Which forms come in, and at what price

Imports by 8-digit tariff line, 2025-26. Average price = total value ÷ total quantity.

Tariff line	Value 2025-26	Change	Quantity	Average price
Photovoltaic cells not assembled in modules or made up into panels`8541 42 00`	US$ 3.06 bn	+86.4%	8.01 bn pieces	US$ 0.38 per piece
Photovoltaic cells assembled in modules or made up into panels`8541 43 00`	US$ 995 mn	-53.8%	33.5 mn pieces	US$ 29.68 per piece