Govt Extends Countervailing Duty On Malaysian Solar Glass Imports
The Ministry of Finance has extended countervailing duties (CVD) on imports of solar glass from Malaysia for another five years. n a latest notification, the Department of Revenue imposed definitive countervailing duties on imports of textured toughened (tempered) coated and uncoated solar glass originating in or exported from Malaysia. The duties will remain in force for five years unless revoked or amended earlier.
The decision follows a review by the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR), which concluded that the expiry of the existing duty was likely to result in the continuation or recurrence of subsidisation and injury to the domestic industry.
Under the notification, imports from Malaysian producers Xinyi Solar (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. and SBH Kibing Solar New Materials (M) SDN. BHD. will attract a countervailing duty of 9.71% of the CIF value. Imports from other Malaysian producers, as well as shipments exported from Malaysia by producers not specifically identified, will attract a duty of 10.14%.
Key Solar Product
The duties apply to textured toughened solar glass with a minimum transmission of 90.5% and thickness not exceeding 4.2 mm, commonly used in photovoltaic modules. The product is also referred to as solar PV glass, high-transmission photovoltaic glass, tempered low-iron patterned solar glass and heat-strengthened glass.
Borosil Renewables, India’s largest solar glass manufacturer, said the continuation of the duty would help address the impact of dumped and subsidised imports on domestic producers.
“The Company welcomes the imposition of the Countervailing Duty, which addresses the damage caused by dumped and subsidized imports. This measure will not only protect domestic manufacturers but also accelerate investments in expansion of local production, driving exponential growth across India’s solar glass industry,” the company said in a stock exchange filing.
Supersedes Earlier CVD Order
The notification supersedes the earlier CVD notification issued in March 2021 and takes effect from the date of publication in the Official Gazette.
The move comes at a time when India is seeking to strengthen domestic solar manufacturing capabilities and reduce dependence on imports across the solar value chain, including modules, cells and critical components such as solar glass.