U.S. imports of Photovoltaic Cells, Not Assembled into Modules or Panels (HS 854142) totaled $282.7M in August 2026, imported from 41 countries.
Importers of Photovoltaic Cells, Not Assembled into Modules or Panels paid $18.7M in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 6.75% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule. Photovoltaic Cells, Not Assembled into Modules or Panels imports of $282.7M in August 2026 ran 19% above the year-to-date monthly average of $238.1M.
Last updated: August 2026 dataBare solar cells — crystalline silicon and other technologies — classified here are distinguished from assembled modules and panels, a distinction that carries significant trade-remedy consequences: antidumping and countervailing duty orders, as well as Section 201 safeguard measures, have targeted solar cells and modules with overlapping but not always identical scope. The US schedule breaks this heading into crystalline silicon cells (8541420010) and all other solar cells (8541420080), making the cell technology the primary classification variable. Indonesia and South Korea are the leading suppliers, reflecting manufacturers' efforts to establish production outside China in response to ongoing trade-remedy proceedings.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
780 import shipments a month
The distinction is commercially critical because antidumping, countervailing duty, and Section 201 safeguard orders have historically applied to cells and modules under separate but related scope language. A cell that is partially strung or laminated may cross the line into module classification, changing both the applicable duty rate and the relevant trade-remedy order. Importers should obtain a binding ruling if the product's assembly state is ambiguous.
CBP and the Department of Commerce have conducted circumvention inquiries targeting solar products routed through Southeast Asian countries. Importers should maintain detailed production records — including wafer sourcing, cell fabrication steps, and equipment invoices — to demonstrate that substantial transformation occurred in the declared country of origin and that the goods are not subject to existing orders.
ImportsExports
Imports
$282.7MYoY · free account
Exports
$5.5MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $2.6B of Photovoltaic Cells, Not Assembled into Modules or Panels and exported $42.5M.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
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HS10 import codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
| Code | Description | Imports for consumption | Average duty rate | Dutiable Share | Duty Collected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8541420010 | Solar Cells, Crstln Silicon Photovtc Cells, NESOI | $240.0M | 6.89% | 60.36% | $16.5M |
| 8541420080 | Solar Cells, NESOI | $36.8M | 5.83% | 49.24% | $2.1M |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 8541420000 | Solar Cells, Not Made Into Panels or Modules | $5.5M |
Import lines come from the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule and export lines from Schedule B. The two are numbered by different agencies, so the same 10-digit code can appear in both tables describing a different product.
Subheading 2 of 12 in heading 8541
Subheading 854142 · $282.7M of $1.3B
Imports · August 2026
origin
South Korea pays 12.5% duty; Kenya 0.0%.
customs district
destination
entry
rate provision · imports
40.3% enters free of duty; duty collected equals 6.75% of imports for consumption.