Tariffs & HTS
Laos solar cells: final U.S. subsidy finding
Commerce published a final affirmative countervailing duty determination for crystalline silicon solar cells from Laos on 16 September 2026. Its estimated subsidy rates are 82.03% for Solarspace and all other producers, and 153.67% for Vietnam Sunergy (VSUN). A duty order still depends on the ITC’s final U.S. injury finding.
What changed
The subsidy investigation covers calendar 2024. Commerce assigned Solarspace Laos 82.03%, VSUN 153.67% using adverse facts available, and all other producers 82.03%. It found critical circumstances for VSUN and all others, but not Solarspace.
The preliminary suspension covered entries from 26 February 2026 through 25 June; provisional measures then expired for entries from 26 June.
Following its final critical-circumstances finding, Commerce says it will instruct CBP to suspend liquidation of covered VSUN and all-others consumption entries from 28 November 2025 that remain unliquidated. That retroactive direction does not apply to Solarspace.
The stated final rates become cash deposits under a countervailing duty order only if the ITC finds injury; otherwise the proceeding ends and deposits are returned.
Key Actions for Importers of Lao Solar Cells
- Match the Lao producer and exporter to Solarspace, VSUN or the all-others group and compare the product with the written scope.
- Separate still-unliquidated VSUN and all-others entries from 28 November 2025, preliminary-period entries, and the provisional-measures gap beginning 26 June 2026.
- Confirm CBP’s current suspension instruction and track the ITC injury decision before treating the listed rates as an issued duty order.