Philippines vs United States: Solar Import Comparison 2026
Compare every aspect of importing solar panels to Philippines and United States β tariffs, certifications, logistics, and market dynamics side by side.
Both Philippines and United States offer distinct import dynamics. Review the metrics below to pick the right sourcing strategy for your project.
| Metric | π Philippines Asia | π United States North America |
|---|---|---|
| Import Duty | 0% (solar panels exempt under RA 9513 Renewable Energy Act) | 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 | 0% for RE equipment under RA 9513 | Sales tax varies by state (0-9%) |
| CBAM Applicable | β No | β No |
| Main Ports | Manila, Batangas, Cebu | Long Beach, Los Angeles, Oakland, Houston, Savannah, New York/Newark |
| Typical Lead Time | 10-15 days sea freight from Shanghai | 18-28 days sea freight from Shanghai to LA/Long Beach |
| Preferred Incoterms | CIF Manila, DDP | CIF Long Beach, DDP |
| Top Brands | JinkoSolar, Canadian Solar, LONGi, Trina Solar, JA Solar | First Solar (local), JinkoSolar US, Qcells (Georgia plant), LONGi, Canadian Solar |
| Popular Wattage | 540-580W bifacial (C&I + utility), 430-500W (residential) | 550-600W bifacial for utility, 400-440W mono for residential |
| Q1 2026 Landed Price | Landed CIF Manila TOPCon 560W: ~$0.10/W. Net metering + GEOP (Green Energy Option) drive residential & C&I. | Landed CIF LA utility-scale TOPCon 610W: ~$0.15-0.18/W (Q1 2026). UFLPA compliance documentation mandatory. |
Regulatory Notes
π Philippines
RA 9513 Renewable Energy Act: 0% VAT + 7-year income tax holiday + duty-free imports for RE projects. Net metering up to 100kW. 35% renewables target by 2030.
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 Philippines Delivery
JUST SOLAR ships CIF Manila weekly with RE Act documentation for duty-free clearance.
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.