Karachi, July 21, 2025 – The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has announced revised customs values for imported solar panels, taking into account the sharp decline in global market prices.
The fresh valuation has been issued by the Directorate General of Customs Valuation, Karachi — a specialized wing of the FBR — under Valuation Ruling No. 2012/2025 for the accurate assessment of duties and taxes on solar equipment at the import stage.
This latest customs ruling supersedes the earlier Valuation Ruling No. 1894/2024 dated July 4, 2024. It has been issued under Section 25A of the Customs Act, 1969, and shall remain in effect until rescinded or revised. Importers may file revision petitions within 30 days under Section 25D of the Act before the Director General of Customs Valuation.
The move follows persistent representations from stakeholders, including the Pakistan Solar Association (PSA), urging a revision of outdated customs values for solar panels, which no longer reflected prevailing international prices. PSA’s representation dated January 21, 2025, initiated an official review process, highlighting issues such as discrepancies between declared transaction values and assessed customs values, causing clearance delays and banking hurdles for importers.
A detailed consultation process was undertaken by the directorate. The first stakeholder meeting was held on February 19, 2025, though several key importers were absent due to participation in a global solar exhibition in China. A follow-up session was conducted on July 1, 2025, after a leadership transition at the valuation office. Most participants favored retaining the Tier-based classification while pushing for a downward revision of values, aligning with the international market. Supporting documentation—including commercial invoices, Goods Declarations, and clearance data from the last 90 days—was submitted to justify the proposed adjustments.
Revised Customs Values for Solar Panels (Per Watt):
| Category | Customs Value (USD) |
| Tier I Manufacturers | $0.09 |
| Non-Tier I Manufacturers | $0.08 |
Note 1: The Tier I list includes Bloomberg-listed manufacturers such as JA Solar, Canadian Solar, Longi Green, Hanwha Q CELLS, First Solar, among others.
Note 2: For manufacturers not listed under Tier I, the $0.08/Watt rate applies. However, importers presenting verifiable documentation proving Tier I status may be assessed under the Tier I rate.
Note 3: In cases where invoice values exceed the customs values, the assessment shall be made on the higher value under Section 25(1) of the Customs Act.
In instances of air freight imports, the additional cost differential between air and sea freight will be added to the value assessment.
This fresh valuation aims to create a fair and transparent import environment for solar panels, promoting cleaner energy technologies while aligning customs practices with international pricing trends. The FBR’s proactive update also demonstrates its commitment to facilitate green energy initiatives without compromising regulatory compliance.