The United States has launched an investigation into Waaree Energies, one of India’s largest solar equipment makers, over suspicions that it may have bypassed tariffs on Chinese-made solar products by mislabeling them as Indian.
According to a memo sent by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to attorneys representing both Waaree and the American Alliance for Solar Manufacturing Trade Committee—a coalition of domestic solar producers—the agency has found “reasonable suspicion” that some of Waaree’s imported products were not properly declared under existing antidumping and countervailing duties imposed on Chinese solar cells and panels.
As part of the ongoing inquiry, CBP has begun enforcing protective measures, including requiring cash deposits from Waaree while the case is reviewed. Neither Waaree’s spokesperson nor its legal representatives have issued a comment so far.
The probe follows complaints from U.S. solar manufacturers, who accused Waaree of using Chinese-made cells to offer lower-cost products in the American market. Imports of Indian solar panels into the U.S. have surged in recent years, especially after the Commerce Department imposed tariffs on four Southeast Asian nations that had been supplying a significant share of panels.
The American Alliance for Solar Manufacturing, which counts Qcells (Hanwha Group) and First Solar among its members, welcomed the investigation. “Indian solar products have been among the cheapest in the market, and this probe sheds light on how that may have been possible—by avoiding duties on Chinese cells,” said the Alliance’s attorney Tim Brightbill.
Earlier this year, the Alliance had also petitioned the Commerce Department to extend antidumping and countervailing duties to imports from India, Indonesia, and Laos.
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