Solar Panel Export Tax Rebate Cancelled

Dear foreign trade professionals, you’ve probably all been following the 2025 Ministry of Finance Announcement No. 2, right? Starting from April 1st this year, the export tax rebate for photovoltaic and related products will be cancelled, and the rebate rate for battery products will also be reduced.

Today let’s focus on two key points:

First, what other products are included in “photovoltaic and related products” in this announcement?

Beyond the main photovoltaic products, the list also includes many “upstream and downstream photovoltaic products”: glass products, raw material PVC, ceramic products, stone products, and even e-cigarettes. A bit surprising, isn’t it?

The logic is this: the photovoltaic industry currently has excess capacity and severe over-competition, making it the primary target of this policy’s “cooling” measures. Glass, PVC, ceramics, and stone are traditional industries with high energy consumption, high emissions, and excess capacity. E-cigarettes fall under products with health risks and tightening regulations, so exports are not encouraged.

The government is using photovoltaics as the “locomotive” to bundle a whole batch of industries that need adjustment and adjust them together. The underlying goal is singular: drive industrial upgrading and reduce low-price over-competition.

Second, pay close attention to this “lifeline”: how is the timing calculated?

Remember one thing: look at the “export date” on the customs declaration form — not the sailing date quoted by your freight forwarder, and not the customs release date.

This “export date” is the day the vessel officially completes departure formalities in the customs system. It’s usually later than the release date and earlier than the closure date. Neither freight forwarders nor shipping lines can guarantee it with 100% certainty.

So, if your cargo is affected by the new policy, you must, must, must ensure that this “export date” becomes a fact before April 1st. Give yourself a few extra days of buffer — never cut it close on shipments. Schedule delays and rolled cargo are all too common.

To summarize: first, understand the product list; second, lock down the timing. Plan ahead and you won’t have to panic.

Wishing everyone smooth sailing. See you next time.