Canada Ends Duties on Chinese Solar Modules, Laminates

The Canadian International Trade Tribunal or CITT has rescinded an order imposing antidumping and countervailing duties or AD/CVD on certain photovoltaic solar modules and laminates originating in or exported from China, ending trade measures that had been in place since 2015.

As a result, the Canada Border Services Agency or CBSA will no longer impose AD/CVD on new releases of goods previously covered by the order.

Following the rescission, the CBSA said it will refund AD/CVD paid on eligible goods released on or after March 25. However, goods released before March 25 will not be eligible for refunds resulting from the rescission, according to the agency.

CITT initiated the latest expiry review in February 2026, while the CBSA launched its investigation to determine whether the order’s expiry would result in the dumping and subsidization of the subject goods.

In July 2026, the CSBA determined that the expiry will likely result in the continuation or resumption of dumping and subsidization of the goods from China. However, the CITT subsequently terminated the expiry review and rescinded the order on Sept. 17.

The products covered by the measure included PV modules and laminates, such as crystalline silicon PV cells, including laminates shipped or packaged with other module components, as well as thin‑film PV products produced from amorphous silicon, cadmium telluride or copper indium gallium selenide.

Products excluded from the measure included modules, laminates and thin-film products with power output not exceeding 100 watts. Also excluded were PV products incorporated into electrical goods whose function is other than power generation and that consume the electricity generated by the PV product, according to the CIIT statement.

The exclusions also covered 195W monocrystalline PV modules made of 72 monocrystalline cells, with each cell measuring no more than 5 inches in width and height.

One Chinese manufacturer source noted that several Canadian producers have either relocated factory operations or wound down domestic module assembly lines in recent years.

The source added that while the move is positive for Chinese manufacturers, it is unlikely to have a significant impact as Canada accounts for a relatively small market share of overall Chinese module exports.

Separately, following a March 13 interim review, the CITT amended the order to exclude flexible PV modules designed to be affixed to vehicle surfaces, such as transport truck fairings, with power output not exceeding 200W.

–Reporting by Brian Ng, brian.ng@dowjones.com; Editing by Mei-Hwen Wong,
mei-hwen.wong@dowjones.com