China’s Ministry of Commerce has decided to initiate a sunset review investigation into anti-dumping duties applicable to solar-grade polysilicon imports from the U.S. and South Korea starting January 14, 2025.

The investigation period is from January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024, and the injury investigation period is from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2024.

The investigation covers solar-grade polysilicon products mainly used for producing monocrystalline silicon rods and polysilicon ingots, essential for crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells.

The review will examine whether terminating anti-dumping measures will lead to the continuation or recurrence of dumping and injury.

Interested parties must register for the review investigation within 20 days from January 14, 2025, by providing necessary information through the Trade Remedy Investigation Information Platform.

Interested parties can access non-confidential information submitted by applicants via the Ministry’s Trade Remedy Investigation Bureau or its website. They can submit comments regarding the scope of the investigation or other matters within 20 days of January 14, 2025.

The review will conclude by January 14, 2026.

During the review period, the anti-dumping duties will continue to apply to imports of solar-grade polysilicon from the U.S. and South Korea under the scope and rates published in previous announcements.

On November 18, 2024, the Ministry of Commerce received an application for a final review investigation and continuance of anti-dumping measures from 13 companies, including Sichuan Yongxiang Polysilicon, representing the domestic solar-grade polysilicon industry. The application argued that the termination of anti-dumping measures would likely lead to continued or renewed dumping of solar-grade polysilicon from the two countries, causing damage to the domestic industry.

The Ministry of Commerce reviewed the petition, the products under investigation, and evidence of possible continuation or recurrence of dumping and damage. Based on the review, it determined that the applicants met the criteria for representing the industry and that the submitted evidence supported a final review investigation.

In January 2014, China imposed anti-dumping duties on imports of solar-grade polysilicon originating from the United States and South Korea at rates of 53.3%–57% for U.S. companies and 2.4%–48.7% for South Korean companies, with an implementation period of five years.

On November 21, 2017, the Ministry adjusted the anti-dumping duty rates for imports from South Korea to 4.4%–113.8%. On January 19, 2020, the Ministry decided to continue imposing anti-dumping duties on imports from the U.S. and South Korea under the previously published rates, with a five-year implementation period.

Polysilicon imports into China dropped 28.5% in 2023 to 62,965 metric tons, the lowest level since 2011, according to Germany-based polysilicon market research firm Bernreuter. The report said that major foreign suppliers like Wacker, Hemlock Semiconductor, and OCI Malaysia are shifting shipments from China to Vietnam after U.S. regulations to prevent imports of goods linked to forced labor in Xinjiang came into force.

Last December, the United States Trade Representative announced final modifications to Section 301 tariffs, increasing duties on specific Chinese imports. Effective January 1, 2025, the updated tariffs will impose a 50% rate on solar wafers and polysilicon and a 25% rate on certain tungsten products.