New Delhi: The Central government has imposed a continued countervailing duty (CVD) of between 9.71 percent and 10.14 percent on imports of solar glass (textured tempered glass) from Malaysia for a period of five years, in a move welcomed by domestic solar glass makers. The duty was notified by the Ministry of Finance (Department of Revenue) on June 2.
A countervailing duty is a levy imposed to offset subsidies granted to producers or exporters in the exporting country, neutralising the price advantage that subsidised imports hold over domestically made goods.
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The duty is levied as a percentage of the CIF (cost, insurance and freight) value of the imported glass. Two named Malaysian producers — Xinyi Solar (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. and SBH Kibing Solar New Materials (M) Sdn Bhd — attract a duty of 9.71 percent. All other producers shipping glass that originates in Malaysia face a higher duty of 10.14 percent, as do consignments originating in any other country but exported through Malaysia.
The lower 9.71 percent rate for the two named producers is conditional: it applies only if a valid commercial invoice bearing a signed and dated declaration of the manufacturer's identity is presented to customs. If no such invoice is produced, the residual rate of 10.14 percent applies.
The duty applies to textured toughened (tempered) coated and uncoated glass with a minimum of 90.5 percent transmission, of thickness not exceeding 4.2 mm (including a tolerance of 0.2 mm), and where at least one dimension exceeds 1,500 mm. Classified under tariff headings 7003, 7005, 7007, 7016, 7020 and 8541, the product is also known as solar glass, low-iron solar glass, solar PV glass, high-transmission photovoltaic glass and heat-strengthened glass. The notification clarifies that the customs classification is indicative and not binding on the scope of the product under consideration.
The notification supersedes the earlier notification dated March 9, 2021, continuing a duty that has been in place since 2021. It follows the final findings of the designated authority — the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) — issued via notification dated March 3, 2026. The authority concluded that "the cessation of countervailing duty is likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of subsidization and injury to the domestic industry," and recommended its continued imposition.
The duty will remain in force for five years from the date of publication of the notification in the Official Gazette, unless revoked, superseded or amended earlier, and is payable in Indian currency.
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In a regulatory filing to the stock exchanges on Wednesday, Borosil Renewables said, "The Company welcomes the imposition of the Countervailing Duty, which addresses the damage caused by dumped and subsidized imports. This measure will not only protect domestic manufacturers but also accelerate investments in expansion of local production, driving exponential growth across India's solar glass industry."
