MoF defers safeguard duty on solar panels and modules

The Ministry of Finance (MoF) has issued a notification to defer the 25 per cent safeguard duty imposed on solar cells and modules following a directive from the Odisha High Court. This decision is in compliance with the interim directions issued by the Odisha High Court. As per the MoF, there would be no insistence on the payment of safeguard duty for the time being. Earlier, in July 2018, the ministry had imposed a 25 per cent safeguard duty on solar panel imports from China and Malaysia for a year, followed by 20 per cent duty for the next six months, and 15 per cent duty for another six months.