Solar module manufacturer Waaree Energies has stated that it will cooperate with U.S. authorities, who have launched an investigation into alleged duty evasion when importing merchandise into the country.

In a communication to the stock exchanges about reports that the U.S. Customs and Border Protection has launched a probe into alleged evasion of tariffs by Waaree Solar Americas on Chinese-made solar cells and modules, labeling them as made in India, Waaree said that it was a responsible corporate citizen and was abiding by all the laws in the countries in which it operates.

U.S. Customs said there was reasonable suspicion that Waaree had failed to label some of the imported components as subject to antidumping and countervailing duties that the country has been imposing on solar cells and modules made in China and a few South Asian nations.

The investigation follows a complaint made by the American Alliance for Solar Manufacturing Trade Committee, which alleged that Waaree was evading tariffs on solar cells and modules originating from China.

In its communication, Waaree said that the U.S. was a very important manufacturing base for Waaree Energies and its expansion ambitions. Waaree Solar Americas operates a 1.6 GW module manufacturing facility in Texas, which is being expanded to 3.2 GW.

It added that Waaree Americas had recently acquired the assets of Meyer Burger to expand its manufacturing in the U.S further.

“We are working in a steadfast manner on our commitment to building a manufacturing footprint in the US. Waaree has, in the past, cooperated with the U.S. investigations and will continue to cooperate in ongoing investigations. We are a responsible corporate citizen in every country we operate in, and we abide by all applicable local laws and regulations,” Waaree said.

Earlier this month, the U.S. International Trade Commission voted to continue its investigations of imports of crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells, whether or not assembled into modules, from India, Indonesia, and Laos.

The Commission concluded there is a reasonable indication that the U.S. industry is materially injured due to imports of crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells allegedly sold in the country at less than fair value and subsidized by the governments of India, Indonesia, and Laos.