Federal Register #A-570-979, C-570-980

Commerce Initiates Circumvention Inquiry on Chinese-Origin Solar Cells and Modules Assembled in Ethiopia and Vietnam

This notice from the U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration, announces the initiation of a circumvention inquiry regarding crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells and modules: - Government Buyer: - U.S. Department of Commerce - International Trade Administration - Office of Enforcement and Compliance - OEMs and Vendors Mentioned: - No specific OEMs or vendors are named as suppliers; the inquiry references Chinese manufacturers of crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells and modules, as well as U.S. solar companies requesting the inquiry (e.g., First Solar, Inc., Hanwha Q CELLS USA Inc., Silfab Solar Inc., etc.) - Products/Services Requested: - No procurement of products or services is requested; the notice concerns regulatory review of: - Crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells and modules completed in Ethiopia using parts and components from China - Modules assembled in Vietnam using additional Chinese inputs - Certain non-refillable steel cylinders from China (subject to a separate antidumping duty order) - Unique or Notable Requirements: - The inquiry focuses on whether the above products are circumventing existing antidumping and countervailing duty orders on solar cells from China - Evaluation criteria include assembly processes, value of Chinese components, and trade patterns - No purchase quantities, part numbers, or procurement actions are involved - The notice also includes the result of an expedited sunset review for non-refillable steel cylinders from China, with high dumping margins identified

Description

The U.S. Department of Commerce is initiating a country-wide circumvention inquiry to determine whether imports of crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells, whether or not assembled into modules, completed in Ethiopia using parts and components from China, and subsequently exported from Ethiopia or assembled into modules in Vietnam and then exported to the U.S., are circumventing antidumping and countervailing duty orders on solar cells from China. The inquiry responds to a request from multiple U.S. solar companies and aims to assess if these imports evade existing trade orders. The inquiry will evaluate assembly processes, value of Chinese components, and trade patterns to determine circumvention.

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