SEMA Coalition Addresses “Utilization Deadline”

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) must vigorously enforce utilization requirements in support of American solar manufacturers and prevent stockpiling of modules that have not been utilized.

Washington, DC – Today, Mike Carr, Executive Director of the Solar Energy Manufacturers for America (SEMA) Coalition, released the following statement on the “utilization deadline”:

“Starting December 3rd, solar modules imported from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam that came in under the China circumvention tariff moratorium prior to its expiration on June 6th of this year must be “used or installed” or companies will face a significant duty. This “utilization deadline” is supposed to deter stockpiling of these predatorily priced modules. However, we have seen multiple reports that a significant volume of module imports – approximately a year’s worth – remain in U.S. inventories and continue to undermine the U.S. solar market. This stockpiling has undercut the work of American solar manufacturers and workers who deserve a level playing field on which to compete. 

“We urge Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to not provide any safe harbors for these imports and to quickly act to ensure duties are paid on modules not utilized. CBP should consider taking a risk-based approach that pays close attention to producers who have a long track record of circumventing duties. Friday’s antidumping preliminary findings illustrate that massive dumping has occurred over the last two years, undermining American solar manufacturing and energy independence. It is time to turn the page on the market manipulation that has led to so much damage to our domestic manufacturing and create a competitive sector for American producers.” 

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