Official Chinese Announcement: Adjustment of Export Tax Rebate Policy for Photovoltaic and Battery Products Effective April 1, 2026

Recently, the Chinese Ministry of Finance and the State Taxation Administration jointly issued the "Notice on Adjusting the Export Tax Rebate Rates for Photovoltaic Products and Battery Products," clarifying that China will adjust the value-added tax (VAT) export tax rebate policy for photovoltaic (PV) products and battery products, effective April 1, 2026.

This policy adjustment represents a significant change in China's export tax rebate policy for new energy products in recent years.

01 Policy Basis

According to the "Notice on Adjusting the Export Tax Rebate Rates for Photovoltaic Products and Battery Products" jointly released by the Ministry of Finance and the State Taxation Administration on January 8, 2026, China will adjust the export tax rebate policy for photovoltaic and battery products.

The announcement, officially numbered as Ministry of Finance, State Taxation Administration Announcement 2026 No. 2, has been officially published on the official websites of the Ministry of Finance and the State Taxation Administration.

The specific implementation timeline, product scope, and adjustment rates have been clearly outlined in the announcement. Relevant departments will implement the new export tax rebate policy according to the stipulated schedule.

02 Adjustment Details

The export tax rebate policy for PV products and battery products will be adjusted differently. The export tax rebate for PV products will be directly canceled, while a phased adjustment approach will be adopted for battery products.

According to the official announcement, starting April 1, 2026, the VAT export tax rebate for photovoltaic products will be completely eliminated. The export tax rebate rate for battery products will be adjusted in two steps: from April 1 to December 31, 2026, the rate will be reduced from 9% to 6%; effective January 1, 2027, the export tax rebate for battery products will be completely canceled.

The detailed product list affected by the policy adjustment has been released as an annex to the announcement. The product scope is based on Customs commodity codes. Relevant enterprises can query the complete list through official channels.

03 Implementation Standards

Policy implementation will be based on the export date indicated on the export declaration form. For export contracts whose execution period spans the policy adjustment date, the applicable tax rebate rate will be determined according to the export date.

The announcement also clarifies that if the aforementioned products themselves are subject to Consumption Tax, their export tax rebate policy will remain unchanged and will continue to be implemented according to current regulations.

Tax collection and administration departments will implement the relevant policies according to the national unified export tax rebate rate database. When applying for export tax rebates, enterprises must provide complete export tax rebate documentation and materials as required.

04 Industry Background

The photovoltaic industry is one of China's strategic emerging industries with international competitive advantages. In recent years, China PV product exports have continued to grow, holding a significant share in the global market.

The battery industry, as a core component of new energy vehicles and energy storage systems, is also a key development area for China. Chinese battery products possess clear technological and cost advantages in the international market.

The export tax rebate policy is one of the important tools for regulating foreign trade. This policy adjustment marks a significant change in China's export tax rebate policy for new energy products in recent years.

05 Enterprise Response

Relevant exporting enterprises need to pay attention to the policy implementation timeline and adjust their export business arrangements promptly. For contracts spanning the policy adjustment date, enterprises should communicate and negotiate with clients in advance.

Enterprises should visit the official websites of the Ministry of Finance and the State Taxation Administration to query, download the complete announcement and product list annex, and confirm whether their exported products fall within the scope of the policy adjustment.

Under the new export rebate policy, enterprises need to recalculate their product export costs, assess the impact on operating profits, and accordingly adjust future export pricing strategies and contract terms.

Data from the Ministry of Finance shows that China's total photovoltaic product exports maintained stable growth in 2024, with major export markets including Europe, Southeast Asia, and Latin America. Battery product exports also showed a growth trend, with significant increases in power battery exports, particularly driven by the new energy vehicle industry.

According to statistics from the China Photovoltaic Industry Association, China currently accounts for over 80% of global PV module production capacity. Chinese companies hold seven spots among the world's top ten polysilicon producers and occupy all ten positions among the world's top ten photovoltaic cell manufacturers.

After the policy adjustment, the tax-related costs for the export business of relevant enterprises will change. Enterprises need to formulate corresponding international market strategies and product pricing strategies based on the new policy environment.