US Investigating India’s Waaree Energies Over Solar Tariff Evasion

India-West News Desk

WASHINGTON, DC – A formal investigation has been launched by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) against Indian solar module manufacturer Waaree Energies, following complaints that the company may have evaded anti-dumping and countervailing duties.

The probe comes after the American Alliance for Solar Manufacturing Trade Committee, a coalition of U.S. solar manufacturers, filed a complaint earlier this year alleging that Waaree mislabeled Chinese imports as Indian to avoid tariffs.

The company confirmed the investigation on September 26 and emphasized its cooperation with U.S. authorities. “Waaree has in the past cooperated with US investigations and will continue to cooperate in ongoing investigations. We are a responsible corporate citizen in every country we operate in and abide by all applicable local laws and regulations,” the Mumbai-based firm said in a statement.

The alleged tariff evasion relates to duties imposed on imported solar cells and modules under Section 201 during the first Trump administration. Originally set at 30%, the tariffs were gradually reduced to 15% over a four-year period. CBP said it has “reasonable suspicion” that Waaree did not declare some imports from China and other Asian countries.

U.S. imports of Indian solar panels have surged in the past two years, following Commerce Department tariffs on four Southeast Asian nations that previously supplied the majority of panels to the American market.

Waaree, which has been expanding its U.S. presence, stressed that the country remains a key base for its manufacturing ambitions. “Our subsidiary Waaree Solar Americas has a 1.6GW module manufacturing facility in Texas, which is being expanded to 3.2GW. Recently, our U.S. subsidiary also acquired assets of Meyer Burger, U.S., to further expand manufacturing. We are committed to building our manufacturing footprint in the U.S.,” the company said.

U.S. photovoltaic equipment makers have long raised concerns over unfair subsidies and alleged dumping by Chinese firms.