Global PV Customs Data Analysis Report
Uncover country-level insights and supply chain dynamics across six key markets.
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| Author | Amy Fang |
| Updated | April 27, 2026 |
According to customs data compiled by InfoLink, cell and module exports from China rose in March 2026, reflecting the influence of the cancellation of export tax rebate effective April 1, 2026. Module exports to Asia-Pacific and Europe witnessed the most increases, while cell exports grew evidently in Asia-Pacific and Africa.
In March 2026, China exported 37.32 GW of modules, up 123% MoM from 16.75 GW and up 60% YoY from 23.38 GW. In Q1, China’s cumulative module exports reached 71.42 GW, up 15% YoY from 61.89 GW.
Cell exports from China reached 15.43 GW in March 2026, up 102% MoM from 7.63% and 104% YoY from 7.57 GW. In Q1, China’s cumulative cell exports reached 33.14 GW, up 64% YoY from 20.20 GW.
The five largest single markets for Chinese modules in March 2026 are, in descending order, the Netherlands, the Philippines, Pakistan, Brazil, and France, together accounting for 31% of the total export volume.
By region, the Asia-Pacific market imported 13.82 GW to take up 37% of the total, while Europe contributed 35% with 13.05 GW. This is the first time module exports to Asia-Pacific exceeding those to Europe. The Americas and Africa imported 4.42 GW and 4.41 GW, respectively. The Middle East imported 1.6 GW, slightly lower than levels in the previous two months.
Europe
In March 2026, China exported 13.05 GW of modules to Europe, up 100% MoM from 6.51 GW and 55% YoY from 8.43 GW. The Netherlands remained Europe’s largest module import destination, bringing in 4.20 GW of modules from China and accounting for 32% of the regional total. Following the Netherlands were France (1.25 GW), Spain (1.12 GW), Poland (0.88 GW), and Italy (0.78 GW).
In Q1, cumulative module exports from China to Europe totaled 26.72 GW, up 24% YoY from 21.53 GW.
The increase in March could be mainly attributed to Western and Southern Europe, with the former importing 6.78 GW of Chinese modules, up 88% MoM, and the latter 3.92 GW, up 92% MoM. By comparison, Eastern Europe imported around 1.54 GW, still below Western and Southern Europe, but imports rose around 266% MoM from a low base, indicating visible restocking in some markets.
However, the March surge does not point to a sudden growth in end-market demand. Rather, it mainly reflects stockpiling ahead of the export VAT rebate cancellation. In Q2, as inventories in Europe begin to deplete, market watchers are advised to monitor development of the Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA) and price acceptance of local distributors after the VAT rebate is no longer available.
Asia-Pacific
In March 2026, China exported 13.82 GW of modules to Asia-Pacific, up 148% MoM from 5.57 GW and 55% YoY from 8.92 GW. The Philippines rose to become the region’s top importer, sourcing 2.26 GW of modules from China, nearly quadrupled MoM. Following that were Pakistan (1.86 GW), Japan (1.19 GW), Australia (1.13 GW), and Thailand (1.10 GW).
Overall, Asia-Pacific saw notable restocking in March and became the largest regional market for China’s module exports, mainly driven by a sharp increase in procurement from Southeast Asia.
In Q1, module exports from China to Asia-Pacific totaled 24.01 GW, little changed YoY from 23.88 GW.
The growth in Asia-Pacific is also related to national policy and project development in some countries.
The Philippines stepped up grid connection for 22 renewable energy and storage projects (1.471 GW) late March, aiming for completion by April, among which 1.284 GW were solar PV. This is positioned as a key measure, by the Presidential Communications Office and Department of Energy (DOE), in response to the oil and gas market disruptions amid Middle Eastern crisis. It is also part of the country’s energy security strategy to fast-track the construction of 200 power plants within three years. Meanwhile, the DOE, working with the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), and the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP), coordinated on transmission, grid connection, inspection, registration, and metering processes to reduce the risk of non-technical delays. This underscores that the 1.284 GW of PV capacity slated for grid connection was not merely routine project progress, but a policy action aimed at creating a strategic power supply buffer.
In Pakistan, the installed capacity of distributed PV projects exceeds official statistics, suggesting that end-market absorption remains strong.
Americas
In March 2026, China exported 4.42 GW of modules to the Americas, up 248% MoM from 1.27 GW and 91% YoY from 2.32 GW. Brazil, the largest importer in the region, received 1.83 GW of modules from China, accounting for 41% of the regional total. Following that were Mexico (0.40 GW) and Chile (0.39 GW). Despite the notable rebound in March, the Americas remained in recovery on a cumulative basis, with import volumes still below the same period last year.
In Q1, module exports from China to the Americas totaled 7.36 GW, down 12% YoY from 8.36 GW.
Brazil, although imported the most in the region, faced hurdles due to delayed grid auctions and exchange-rate pressure. Chile and Columbia have structural demand and require long-term tracking of policy and project development. Overall, the Americas is the only region experiencing a YoY decline in Q1, a stark contrast to the strong growth seen in the Middle East and Africa.
Middle East
In March 2026, China exported 1.62 GW of modules to the Middle East, down 21% MoM from 2.06 GW and 33% YoY from 2.40 GW. Turkey (0.33 GW), Israel (0.40 GW), and the UAE (0.39 GW) imported the most. The UAE and Saudi Arabia, top importers in January and February, slowed down in March amid seasonal adjustments of large-scale IPP projects and shipping instruction (SI) cut-off dates.
In Q1, module exports from China to the Middle East totaled 6.25 GW, up 28% YoY from 4.90 GW.
Overall, the robust Middle East market weakened in the latter half of Q1 due to:
1. Less impact from China’s VAT rebate cancellation: Module imports to the Middle East are mostly driven by utility-scale projects, where procurement decisions follow a different process from those for distributed projects.
2. High construction season in summer: The market is still scheduling utility-scale projects. In Q2, imports to the Middle East may increase as utility-scale projects progress in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
Africa
In March 2026, China exported 4.41 GW of modules to Africa, up 230% from 1.34 GW MoM and 235% YoY from 1.32 GW. South Africa was the largest importer in the region, with 0.73 GW of module coming from China. Following that were Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) (0.66 GW), Nigeria (0.43GW), Egypt (0.33 GW), and Morocco (0.29 GW) with evident growth.
Emerging as the most noteworthy growing region in March, Africa had the highest YoY increase in Chinese module imports, with several countries exceeding the 1 GW threshold. This indicates a structural shift in the market from single-country dominance to a more diversified landscape.
In Q1, module exports from China to Africa totaled 7.06 GW, up 119% YoY from 3.22 GW.
Growths in Africa also reflect the progress of international financing and policymaking regarding electricity accessibility. On March 31, the World Bank, the African Development Bank, and the Rockefeller Foundation launched the Mission 300 Private Sector Council, aiming to mobilize more private investments for the electrification of Africa. The council re-positions Mission 300 from “policy goals” to “financeable, implementable project execution.” Prior to this, on March 4, the European Investment Bank pledged to invest over EUR 1 billion to support targets related to Mission 300.
For exporters of Chinese modules, even though such policy and financial signals do not translate instantly into monthly demand, they are positive signs for mid-term project development in Africa.
Cell exports
In March 2026, China’s cell exports to Asia-Pacific reached 10.23 GW, accounting for 66% of the total, with the region remaining the largest export destination. Notably, Africa imported 3.83 GW, constituting 25% of China’s cell exports this month and marking the region as the key highlight of this period.
By single country in March, Indonesia imported the most with 4.26 GW of Chinese cells, followed by Kenya (1.22 GW), the Philippines (1.16 GW), and Ethiopia (1.15 GW).
Overall, Chinese cell exports in March evolved beyond supply chain flows of manufacturers in Asia-Pacific. The increase in Africa indicates changes to the market landscape that are worth monitoring.
Policy and market updates in March
The cancellation of VAT rebate effective April 1 had set the tone for export conditions in March. Aligning with customs data compiled, March became the final shipping window, as the authority specified the cancellation to be applied at the date of customs declarations.
Following the cancellation of the export VAT rebate, market dynamics will hinge on the extent to which buyers can absorb cost pass-through.. Cost pass-through is relatively more feasible in Europe and other markets with stronger customer stickiness, whereas the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America may seem otherwise.
Stockpiling in advance could compromise demand in Q2, resulting in a noticeable decline in export volumes during April and May. By then, the focus will shift from export front-loading to cost pass-through, price renegotiation, and inventory digestion.
Conclusion
Three key features of China’s PV export market in March 2026:
1. Both cell and module export volumes rose in the month, under the impact of the April export VAT rebate cancellation.
2. Module export focus shifted from a Europe-dominated unipolar market to a bipolar one as Asia-Pacific emerged. Africa became the fastest-growing market.
3. For cell exports, in addition to Asia-Pacific, the African market was gaining momentum, reflecting more diversified shifts in non-China supply chain strategies and end-market application demand.
Consistent with InfoLink’s previous analysis of January and February customs data, which highlighted diverging regional module demand and increasing front-loaded cell shipments , the March customs data further confirmed that the end-Q1 export front-loading had been largely captured in customs figures. Entering Q2, the market will focus more on whether end markets can absorb shipments after the Q1 pull-forward. From a regional perspective, Asia-Pacific and Africa will be relatively resilient, while Europe may continue to operate from a high base. In the Middle East, the key area to watch is whether shipments for utility-scale projects resume in Q2.
