France vs United States: Solar Import Comparison 2026
Compare every aspect of importing solar panels to France and United States β tariffs, certifications, logistics, and market dynamics side by side.
Both France and United States offer distinct import dynamics. Review the metrics below to pick the right sourcing strategy for your project.
| Metric | π France Europe (EU) | π United States North America |
|---|---|---|
| Import Duty | 0% (EU MFN) | 0% (Section 201 safeguard expired Feb 2026) |
| Anti-Dumping | None | AD/CVD from Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia (2024 petition), 25% Section 301 on China-origin cells |
| VAT / Sales Tax | 20% standard; 10% reduced on solar installations | Sales tax varies by state (0-9%) |
| CBAM Applicable | β Yes | β No |
| Main Ports | Le Havre, Marseille, Fos-sur-Mer | Long Beach, Los Angeles, Oakland, Houston, Savannah, New York/Newark |
| Typical Lead Time | 30-35 days sea freight from Shanghai | 18-28 days sea freight from Shanghai to LA/Long Beach |
| Preferred Incoterms | CIF Le Havre, CIF Marseille, DDP Paris | CIF Long Beach, DDP |
| Top Brands | JinkoSolar, LONGi, Trina Solar, Voltec (local), Systovi (local) | First Solar (local), JinkoSolar US, Qcells (Georgia plant), LONGi, Canadian Solar |
| Popular Wattage | 430-500W mono (residential), 580-620W (agri-PV & utility) | 550-600W bifacial for utility, 400-440W mono for residential |
| Q1 2026 Landed Price | Landed CIF Le Havre TOPCon 580W: ~β¬0.09-0.10/W. Carbon footprint scoring impacts tender eligibility. | Landed CIF LA utility-scale TOPCon 610W: ~$0.15-0.18/W (Q1 2026). UFLPA compliance documentation mandatory. |
Regulatory Notes
π France
France uses carbon footprint scoring (empreinte carbone) for public tenders β low-carbon modules (fluorinated glass, EU cells) get preference. Agri-PV law unlocks rural deployment. CBAM applies.
π United States
UFLPA (Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act) blocks all Xinjiang-sourced materials β requires complete polysilicon traceability. IRA domestic content bonus (10%) available for US-made cells+modules. AD/CVD circumvention investigation on SE Asia imports.
JUST SOLAR β France Delivery
JUST SOLAR provides modules with verified low-carbon footprint certification β eligible for French public tenders.
JUST SOLAR β United States Delivery
JUST SOLAR provides full UFLPA polysilicon traceability and ships weekly to Long Beach with customs pre-clearance support.
π Sourcing to both markets?
JUST SOLAR GROUP delivers to 40+ countries worldwide with localized compliance documentation and flexible payment terms.