Solar Panel’s Import Values Reduced in Pakistan

Web Desk: In a significant step to promote solar energy usage across Pakistan, the Directorate General of Customs Valuation has officially reduced the customs values of imported solar panels. Under the newly issued Valuation Ruling No. 2012/2025, the per-watt customs valuation of solar panels has been brought down to just \$0.08, a drastic reduction from the previously inflated and outdated rates.

This development follows sustained efforts and pressure from the Pakistan Solar Association (PSA) and other key stakeholders, who had warned that outdated customs valuations were severely damaging the solar industry’s growth. Importers found themselves trapped between banks refusing to honor under-invoiced imports and customs insisting on obsolete pricing models.

Globally, solar panel prices have seen a steep decline in recent months, prompting experts and industry bodies to call for urgent policy reforms. Interestingly, several major importers missed the local deliberations as they were attending a two-month-long Solar Mega Expo in China, while internal reshuffles at the Directorate caused further delays in decision-making.

To determine accurate and fair valuations, Customs authorities invoked Section 25 of the Customs Act, 1969, experimenting with various valuation methodologies. The widely-used “Transaction Value Method” was rejected due to insufficient documentation. Similarly, data on identical goods failed to meet the required standards.

Eventually, Customs relied on the “Similar Goods Method” and reviewed 90 days of recent clearance data. The analysis confirmed a considerable drop in global prices, leading to the decision to revise down the official import valuation accordingly.

Possible Impacts of the Decision:

• Significant drop in solar panel prices across Pakistan
• Affordable and accessible green energy for households and businesses
• Revival of the struggling solar import industry
• Expansion of solar energy use in load-shedding-affected areas

Amid the ongoing energy crisis and growing climate challenges, this move is being seen as a timely and strategic boost to Pakistan’s clean energy goals. It is expected to accelerate solar adoption across the country and reduce dependency on the national grid.