United Kingdom vs United States: Solar Import Comparison 2026
Compare every aspect of importing solar panels to United Kingdom and United States β tariffs, certifications, logistics, and market dynamics side by side.
Both United Kingdom and United States offer distinct import dynamics. Review the metrics below to pick the right sourcing strategy for your project.
| Metric | π United Kingdom Europe (non-EU) | π United States North America |
|---|---|---|
| Import Duty | 0% (UK Global Tariff) | 0% (Section 201 safeguard expired Feb 2026) |
| Anti-Dumping | None (UK terminated measures post-Brexit) | AD/CVD from Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia (2024 petition), 25% Section 301 on China-origin cells |
| VAT / Sales Tax | 20% standard; 0% on residential battery+solar since April 2022 until March 2027 | Sales tax varies by state (0-9%) |
| CBAM Applicable | β Yes | β No |
| Main Ports | Felixstowe, Southampton, London Gateway | Long Beach, Los Angeles, Oakland, Houston, Savannah, New York/Newark |
| Typical Lead Time | 28-35 days sea freight from Shanghai | 18-28 days sea freight from Shanghai to LA/Long Beach |
| Preferred Incoterms | CIF Felixstowe, DDP | CIF Long Beach, DDP |
| Top Brands | JinkoSolar, LONGi, Trina Solar, JA Solar, Q CELLS | First Solar (local), JinkoSolar US, Qcells (Georgia plant), LONGi, Canadian Solar |
| Popular Wattage | 430-470W mono (residential dominates), 550-600W (C&I) | 550-600W bifacial for utility, 400-440W mono for residential |
| Q1 2026 Landed Price | Landed CIF Felixstowe TOPCon 580W: ~Β£0.08-0.10/W (Q1 2026). UK CBAM from 2027 β plan carbon reporting now. | Landed CIF LA utility-scale TOPCon 610W: ~$0.15-0.18/W (Q1 2026). UFLPA compliance documentation mandatory. |
Regulatory Notes
π United Kingdom
Post-Brexit, UK has own tariff regime + UKCA marking (fully replacing CE by 2025). MCS certification essential for residential market (required for Smart Export Guarantee + zero-VAT). UK CBAM launching 2027.
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 United Kingdom Delivery
JUST SOLAR ships CIF Felixstowe with UKCA documentation and MCS-eligible modules from Tier 1 factories.
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.