The European Commission has decided to lower the minimum import prices (MIP) for crystalline photovoltaic products imported from China to Europe on a quarterly basis as of October. This is the result of an implementing regulation (2017/1570) now published in the EU's Official Journal.

There will be separate variable duties for different types of goods and thus differentiate between monocrystalline and polycrystalline products. Monocrystalline and polycrystalline products do not have the same price »and the most important price indices« separately indicate the prices for monocrystalline and polycrystalline cells and modules, states the commission. Monocrystalline products are generally more expensive because they have a higher output per unit area. According to the surveys, the average price difference between monocrystalline and polycrystalline modules was €0.047 per watt and between polycrystalline and monocrystalline cells was €0.040 per watt.

Under the current price undertaking adopted by the Commission, the MIP for modules and cells will be adjusted on a quarterly basis on the basis of the international spot prices for modules, including Chinese prices, as indicated in the Bloomberg database (BNEF spot price index). In the course of the phase-out reviews, the Commission found that the mechanism for adjusting the MIP in most of 2016 did not trace the fall in world market prices and therefore no longer reflected the non-damaging price as set out in the original investigation. In addition, the existing adaptation system meant that global efficiency gains were not passed on to European users of cells and modules.

The gradual reduction of the MIP coupled with a variable tariff now provides for the MIP to be reduced to €0.19 per watt for polycrystalline cells for the period from October 1 to December 31. This price remains constant for the next two quarters, with a further reduction to €0.18 per watt from July 1, 2018. From October MIP of €0.23 to €0.22 per watt will apply for monocrystalline cells and €0.21 per watt from July 2018. For the modules, the MIP is between €0.37 and €0.30 per watt (polycrystalline) and between €0.42 and €0.35 per watt (monocrystalline).

The MIPs form the basis for the calculation of any anti-dumping duty to be imposed. This amounts to »the difference between the minimum import prices and the net free-at-frontier price of the Union, before duty, provided that the latter is below the relevant minimum import price.« Where the net free-at-frontier price of the Union is equal to or greater than the minimum import price fixed in each case, no customs duties shall be levied.