Camex publishes new ex-tariffs for photovoltaic modules and inverters

Camex (Chamber of Foreign Trade), of the Ministry of Economy, granted last Thursday (18), more than one hundred ex-tariff concessions, which include photovoltaic modules (Gecex Resolution No. 172) and solar inverters (Gecex Resolution No. 171), among other products. The decision was published in the DOU (Official Gazette of the Union) on Friday (19).

According to the publication, the measure will come into effect from next Friday (26th) and is currently in effect until December 31st of this year. In total, ex-tariffs were granted for more than 90 models of solar panels and more than 10 models of inverters.

These ex-tariffs include off-grid and grid-tie inverters (with powers from 1.5 kW to 20 kW) and high-power modules (between 445 Wp and 655 Wp). Off-grid inverters are intended for small isolated systems, while grid-tie inverters are mainly intended for distributed generation systems. 

Read too: Ex-tariff: what it is and what are the real impacts on the solar energy sector

The modules, including several bifacial models, are intended for centralized generation or minigeneration plants. Of the total approvals for photovoltaic modules, 60 are bifacial panels. It is worth remembering that the exemption only affects equipment that meets the specifications listed in the resolutions. 

Reduction of the rate for BIT and BK

For models that do not have approved ex-tariffs, there was a reduction in tariffs, which for modules is 12% and inverters 14%). This is because Camex published the Gecex Resolution No. 173, which reduces the current import tax rate for items classified as BIT (Informatics and Telecommunications Goods) or BK (Capital Goods) that did not have ex-tariffs granted in the two previous resolutions.

Wladimir Janousek, specialist in technologies and production processes for photovoltaic modules, clarifies that products that benefit from the ex-tariff will have their import taxes zeroed. The expert adds that products that were left out of the ex-tariff will also have their rates reduced.

As a result, the import rate for modules falls from 12% to 10.8% and, for inverters, it falls from 14% to 12.6%. The measure’s validity also begins on March 26th and continues until December 31st, 2021.