Australia vs United States: Solar Import Comparison 2026
Compare every aspect of importing solar panels to Australia and United States β tariffs, certifications, logistics, and market dynamics side by side.
Both Australia and United States offer distinct import dynamics. Review the metrics below to pick the right sourcing strategy for your project.
| Metric | π Australia Oceania | π United States North America |
|---|---|---|
| Import Duty | 0% (via ChAFTA with China) | 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 | 10% GST | Sales tax varies by state (0-9%) |
| CBAM Applicable | β No | β No |
| Main Ports | Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Fremantle (Perth) | Long Beach, Los Angeles, Oakland, Houston, Savannah, New York/Newark |
| Typical Lead Time | 20-28 days sea freight from Shanghai | 18-28 days sea freight from Shanghai to LA/Long Beach |
| Preferred Incoterms | CIF Sydney/Melbourne, DDP | CIF Long Beach, DDP |
| Top Brands | JinkoSolar, LONGi, Trina Solar, Canadian Solar, Q CELLS | First Solar (local), JinkoSolar US, Qcells (Georgia plant), LONGi, Canadian Solar |
| Popular Wattage | 440-500W mono (residential is 70% of market), 580-620W bifacial (C&I) | 550-600W bifacial for utility, 400-440W mono for residential |
| Q1 2026 Landed Price | Landed CIF Sydney TOPCon 580W: ~$0.10-0.12/W. CEC-approved brands command 5-8% premium. | Landed CIF LA utility-scale TOPCon 610W: ~$0.15-0.18/W (Q1 2026). UFLPA compliance documentation mandatory. |
Regulatory Notes
π Australia
World's highest residential solar penetration (35%+ of homes). CEC approval is DE-FACTO requirement β only CEC-approved modules qualify for Small-scale Technology Certificate (STC) rebate, which is ~30% of system cost. Cyclone-rated mounting required in QLD/NT.
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 Australia Delivery
JUST SOLAR supplies all major Australian distributors β all modules CEC-approved with AS/NZS 5033 compliance documentation.
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.