On January 9, 2026, the Ministry of Finance and the State Administration of Taxation issued the Announcement on Adjusting the Export Tax Refund Policy for Photovoltaic and Other Products (No.2 of 2026), clarifying that the VAT export tax rebate for photovoltaics (including solar panels) will be cancelled from April 1; For battery products, the tax rebate rate will be reduced at first, and the tax rebate will be completely cancelled from January 1, 2027. The following is the adjustment details of export tax rebate policy:
| product category | Adjusting time | Adjust the content | remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photovoltaic products such as solar panels. | From April 1, 2026 | Cancel the VAT export tax rebate (the previous tax rebate rate was 9%) | Involving 249 products, the policy of defining the date of export declaration form is applicable. |
| Battery products (such as lithium ion batteries, etc.) | April 1-December 31, 2026 | The tax rebate rate was reduced from 9% to 6%. | Involving 22 products |
| Battery products | From January 1, 2027 | Cancel the VAT export tax rebate |
Policy supplement
This adjustment is only for VAT export tax rebate. If the product involves consumption tax, the export consumption tax rebate (exemption) policy remains unchanged.
The policy is based on the export date indicated in the export goods declaration form, and the original policy is still implemented if the export is declared before April 1.
Policy Impact and Industry Feedback
In the short term, the export cost of photovoltaic enterprises is rising and the profit space is compressed, which may accelerate the reshuffle of the industry and eliminate small and medium-sized production capacity; Because of the transition period, the pressure of battery enterprises is relatively relaxed.
In the long run, it will help to reduce the "involution" competition in the industry, promote the transformation of enterprises to technological innovation and high-end manufacturing, reduce the risk of international trade friction and promote the rational return of global market prices. China Photovoltaic Industry Association supports this, believing that this policy is conducive to the healthy development of the industry.
