US CBP Investigates India’s Waaree Energies Over PV Duty Evasion Claims

PVTIME – According to Bloomberg News, the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has launched an investigation into the Indian photovoltaic manufacturer Waaree Energies and its US subsidiary, Waaree Solar Americas. The probe focuses on allegations that the firms misrepresented the country of origin of their products to avoid anti-dumping and countervailing duties (AD/CVD) applied by the US to Chinese crystalline silicon solar cells and modules.

This follows an earlier move by the US Department of Commerce, which opened an AD/CVD inquiry in August into crystalline silicon solar cells imported from India, Indonesia, and Laos.

The CBP has imposed temporary measures against Waaree Energies, citing ‘reasonable suspicion’ of tax evasion on goods sent to the US. The investigation was prompted by a complaint from the American Alliance for Solar Manufacturing Trade Committee (AASMTC), and a final ruling is expected in April 2026. Waaree Solar Americas is alleged to have exported more than 5.4 million kilograms of crystalline silicon modules to the US in 2024, claiming the products were manufactured in India when they allegedly originated in China.

Data supporting these claims shows that Waaree Americas was a major recipient of Waaree’s module exports from India. Meanwhile, India’s imports of solar cells from China increased by over 600% between 2022 and 2024, a period during which Waaree only gained the ability to produce cells locally in India towards the end of 2024.

As of June 2025, Waaree Energies, a leader in India’s PV sector, has an annual nameplate capacity of 13.3GW for solar modules and 5.4GW for solar cells. In response to the US investigation, the company issued a statement on the Bombay Stock Exchange, confirming that it is cooperating fully with the probe, and emphasising that the US is a vital part of its global expansion strategy. In late 2023, Waaree announced plans to expand its US operations through Waaree Solar Americas, pledging up to $1 billion to increase capacity to 5GW by 2027.