United States Solar Panel Import Guide 2026
Complete guide to importing solar panels from China to United States: duty rates, VAT, required certifications, main ports, top brands, and Q1 2026 landed-cost benchmarks.
Landed CIF LA utility-scale TOPCon 610W: ~$0.15-0.18/W (Q1 2026). UFLPA compliance documentation mandatory.
β Estimate your landed cost with our calculator1. United States Tariffs & Taxes on Solar Panels
| MFN Duty | 0% (Section 201 safeguard expired Feb 2026) |
| Anti-Dumping / CVD | AD/CVD from Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia (2024 petition), 25% Section 301 on China-origin cells |
| VAT / Sales Tax | Sales tax varies by state (0-9%) |
| CBAM | β Not applicable |
2. Required Certifications for United States
Always request corresponding certification documents from suppliers. Modules without proper certifications may face customs clearance issues or grid connection rejection.
3. Shipping & Ports
- π Long Beach
- π Los Angeles
- π Oakland
- π Houston
- π Savannah
- π New York/Newark
4. Popular Module Brands in United States
Popular wattage: 550-600W bifacial for utility, 400-440W mono for residential
5. Regulatory Notes
UFLPA (Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act) blocks all Xinjiang-sourced materials β requires complete polysilicon traceability. IRA domestic content bonus (10%) available for US-made cells+modules. AD/CVD circumvention investigation on SE Asia imports.
JUST SOLAR β Your United States Delivery Partner
JUST SOLAR provides full UFLPA polysilicon traceability and ships weekly to Long Beach with customs pre-clearance support.
United States Solar Directory
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to import solar panels from China to United States?
18-28 days sea freight from Shanghai to LA/Long Beach.
Are there anti-dumping duties on Chinese solar panels in United States?
AD/CVD from Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia (2024 petition), 25% Section 301 on China-origin cells
What's the minimum order quantity (MOQ) for United States?
Most manufacturers require full-container-load (40HQ = ~612-720 panels depending on wattage). LCL (less-than-container) shipments with lower MOQ (from 100 panels) available via trading partners like JUST SOLAR.
What payment terms are standard?
Mainstream: 30% TT deposit + 70% within 7 days against BL copy (for established EU/US buyers). Emerging markets / new buyers: 50% deposit + 50% before shipment. LC (letter of credit) negotiable for large orders.