On the evening of January 8, 2026, the Ministry of Finance and the State Taxation Administration issued an important announcement regarding adjustments to the export tax rebate policy for photovoltaic and other products, as well as battery products. This announcement attracted widespread attention from the foreign trade industry. The announcement stated that, starting April 1, 2026, the value-added tax export tax rebate for photovoltaic and other products would be cancelled. This move undoubtedly represents a significant change to the foreign trade landscape of the photovoltaic industry. For a long time, the export tax rebate policy has promoted the export of photovoltaic products to a certain extent, giving Chinese photovoltaic products a price advantage in the international market. However, with the continuous development and expansion of my country’s photovoltaic industry, its technological level has improved, and its industrial competitiveness has gradually increased. The cancellation of the export tax rebate policy may be an inevitable choice for the industry as it develops to a certain stage. The adjustment of the export tax rebate policy for battery products will also be carried out in stages. From April 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026, the VAT export tax rebate rate for battery products will be reduced from 9% to 6%; and from January 1, 2027, the VAT export tax rebate for battery products will be cancelled. This series of adjustments means that battery product exporters will face rising cost pressures. Companies need to re-evaluate their market strategies and find new profit growth points to cope with the challenges brought about by the adjustment of the export tax rebate policy. From a macro perspective, the phased cancellation or reduction of export tax rebates is an inevitable trend. This policy adjustment indicates that my country has sufficient confidence in related industries to no longer rely solely on price competition. In the past, my country subsidized export tax rebates to benefit foreign consumers, which to some extent promoted product exports, but also led to low-price competition in the industry. The current policy adjustments are conducive to gradually forming a healthy development pattern, driving enterprises to shift from price competition to competition based on technological innovation and brand building. For foreign trade professionals, it is crucial to closely monitor whether their products are on the adjusted list. If products are affected, they should promptly adjust their business strategies, increase R&D investment, improve product added value, and enhance product quality and brand influence. Simultaneously, they can actively explore the domestic market to reduce reliance on exports. This adjustment to the export tax rebate policy is an important manifestation of my country’s industrial development and policy optimization. It presents both challenges and opportunities for industrial upgrading and transformation. It is believed that under the guidance of this policy, my country’s photovoltaic and battery industries will usher in a healthier and more sustainable development.
The export tax rebate policy for photovoltaic and battery products will be adjusted starting in 2026.
On the evening of January 8, 2026, the Ministry of Finance and the State Taxation Administration issued an announcement adjusting export tax rebate policies for products such as photovoltaics and batteries. By phasing out or reducing these rebates, the move signals a shift in the industry's development landscape.
