HS Code for Solar Panel
Solar panels and photovoltaic (PV) modules are classified under HTS heading 8541, which covers diodes, transistors, and similar semiconductor devices including photovoltaic cells. Assembled PV modules fall under 8541.43, while bare cells (not yet assembled into modules) fall under 8541.42. Solar inverters that convert DC to AC sit under heading 8504 (static converters). The general MFN rate for most PV modules and cells is Free, but solar imports are subject to a layered set of country-specific additional duties — including Section 201 safeguard tariffs and Section 301 measures — that often substantially exceed the base rate.
| HTS Code | Description | Duty Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 8541.43.00.10 | Semiconductor devices (for example, diodes, transistors, semiconductor-based transducers) — Photosensitive semiconductor devices, including photovoltaic cells whether or not assembled in modules or made up into panels; light-emitting diodes (LED), Photovoltaic cells assembled in modules or made up into panels, Crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells of a kind described in statistical note 10 to this chapter Crystalline silicon solar panels (the standard rooftop and ground-mount PV modules) | Free |
| 8541.43.00.80 | Semiconductor devices (for example, diodes, transistors, semiconductor-based transducers) — Photosensitive semiconductor devices, including photovoltaic cells whether or not assembled in modules or made up into panels; light-emitting diodes (LED), Photovoltaic cells assembled in modules or made up into panels, Other Other solar panels (thin-film, CIGS, and non-crystalline-silicon PV modules) | Free |
| 8541.42.00.10 | Semiconductor devices (for example, diodes, transistors, semiconductor-based transducers) — Photosensitive semiconductor devices, including photovoltaic cells whether or not assembled in modules or made up into panels; light-emitting diodes (LED), Photovoltaic cells not assembled in modules or made up into panels, Crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells of a kind described in statistical note 10 to this chapter Crystalline silicon PV cells (bare cells, before lamination into a module) | Free |
| 8541.42.00.80 | Semiconductor devices (for example, diodes, transistors, semiconductor-based transducers) — Photosensitive semiconductor devices, including photovoltaic cells whether or not assembled in modules or made up into panels; light-emitting diodes (LED), Photovoltaic cells not assembled in modules or made up into panels, Other Other photovoltaic cells (thin-film and other technologies, unassembled) | Free |
| 8504.40.95.70 | Electrical transformers, static converters (for example, rectifiers) and inductors — Static converters, Other, Inverters Solar inverters (DC-to-AC power converters for grid-tie and off-grid systems) | Free |
| 8541.90.00.00 | Semiconductor devices (for example, diodes, transistors, semiconductor-based transducers) — Parts Solar cell and PV module parts (junction boxes, ribbons, cell strings) | Free |
| 8501.61.01.00 | Electric motors and generators (excluding generating sets) — AC generators (alternators), other than photovoltaic generators, Of an output not exceeding 75 kVA Small AC alternators bundled in solar generator kits | 2.50% |
Solar panels and PV modules are split into two main HTS subheadings under heading 8541, depending on whether the cells have been assembled into a module or not.
**8541.43.00** — Photovoltaic cells **assembled in modules or made up into panels**. This is the suggestion for fully assembled solar panels — the rectangular black or blue glass-fronted modules consumers and installers buy and mount on roofs and ground arrays. The general MFN rate is Free.
**8541.42.00** — Photovoltaic cells **not assembled in modules or made up into panels**. This covers bare or partially processed cells before they're laminated into a module. Also Free at the MFN level.
**Solar inverters** — devices that convert the DC output of a panel into grid-compatible AC — are classified under heading **8504** (static converters), not 8541. The most relevant subheading is 8504.40.95, with the specific 10-digit suffix depending on the inverter type and power rating.
**Solar generator kits** that include a small AC alternator alongside batteries and PV components may pull the alternator under heading **8501.61** (AC generators, output ≤75 kVA, 2.5%).
**Parts of solar cells and modules** — junction boxes, ribbons, cell strings before lamination, and similar — fall under 8541.90.
**Important duty caveat for solar panels.** Although the MFN rate is Free, solar panels are one of the most heavily layered tariff items in the US trade landscape. Imports are subject to:
- Section 201 safeguard tariffs on crystalline silicon cells and modules (with country exclusions and quotas)
- Section 301 tariffs on Chinese-origin solar cells and modules
- Anti-dumping (AD) and countervailing duties (CVD) on cells and modules from specific origins
- Inflation Reduction Act incentives that affect downstream tax treatment but not the entry duty
These additional duties shift quarterly, vary by country of origin and manufacturer-specific certifications, and can collectively push effective duty well above the base rate. The classification suggestion alone is not sufficient for planning landed cost on solar imports — country-specific and supplier-specific additional duties must be reviewed by a licensed customs broker for any prospective entry.
The general MFN duty rate for assembled solar panels (8541.43.00) and bare PV cells (8541.42.00) is Free; solar inverters under 8504.40.95 are also Free. However, solar imports are subject to layered country-specific additional duties — Section 201 safeguard, Section 301, and AD/CVD measures — that often substantially exceed the base rate. Total landed duty depends on country of origin, manufacturer, and current safeguard quotas, and should be reviewed by a licensed customs broker for any prospective entry.