Customs Duty On Solar Panels In India

The author of this article hitesh doshi is chairman of all india solar india association tags basic customs duty solar plants views subscribe to moneycontrol pro at just rs 33 per month for the first year.

Customs duty on solar panels in india.

In a push for the self reliant solar sector the indian government is now considering levying a basic customs duty of 20 25 on imported solar panels. All india solar industries association aisia has urged the government to impose at least 50 basic customs duty bcd on solar equipment with immediate effect to ensure domestic manufacturers survival. The tax will rise to 40 within a year. Implementation of basic customs duty and its impact on the solar industry thermal coking coal imports at major ports dip 28 to 46 mn tonnes in apr aug.

The ministry of new and renewable energy is likely to clarify the matter of basic customs duty bcd on imported solar equipment within the next two months. Though the government s recent announcement of imposing a basic customs duty bcd on the import of solar panels intends to benefit the make in india programme industry players pointed that as. Common product terms under hs code 85414011 are solar cell solar cells cell multi solar pv solar photovoltaic. Aisia said that indian solar manufacturers had been struck with their exports witnessing a significant downfall due to coronavirus prompted disruption.

In a surprising development the government in an amendment has split the earlier tariff item 8541 40 11 solar cells whether or not assembled in modules or panels into two. Now it has come down to 20 per cent for july 30 2019 to january 29 2020. 8541 40 11 solar cells not assembled and 8541 40 12 solar cells assembled in modules or made up into panels and proposed a basic customs duty of 20 on both the tariff items. India had imposed 25 per cent safeguard duty on solar cells for july 30 2018 to july 29 2019 period.

The basic customs duty has been under exemption since march 2005 to make solar power competitive and affordable for end users. There has been a significant increase in imports of solar cells in absolute terms. Hs code 85414011 was used in 523shipments. Industry experts say that the reason for the seemingly abrupt hike was for the sake of legislative convenience.

It will further come down to 15 per cent during january 30 2020 to july 29 2020. Basic customs duty bcd on the import of solar cells and modules was announced at 20 in the union budget for 2020 21.