Solar cells and LED imports in the United States: data, top suppliers and prices
The United States imported $18.57 billion of solar cells and led in 2024 (4.79 million tonnes). That makes it the largest importer of this product worldwide, out of 221 countries. Value fell 16% from 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 14% a year on average.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Imports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $18.57B | 4.79M t |
| 2023 | $22.09B | 3.64M t |
| 2022 | $13.64B | 1.76M t |
| 2021 | $9.62B | 426.5K t |
| 2020 | $10.33B | 24.19M t |
| 2019 | $8.54B | 262.3K t |
| 2018 | $5.33B | 91.3K t |
| 2017 | $7.43B | 365.9K t |
Where the United States imports solar cells and led from
Most of the value came from Vietnam (30%), Thailand (17%), Malaysia (15%). Among the main suppliers, Indonesia grew fastest (+109% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Vietnam | $5.65B | 30% |
| Thailand | $3.20B | 17% |
| Malaysia | $2.83B | 15% |
| India | $1.58B | 8.5% |
| Cambodia | $1.28B | 6.9% |
| South Korea | $668.1M | 3.6% |
| Indonesia | $524.7M | 2.8% |
| Japan | $425.1M | 2.3% |
| Singapore | $423.1M | 2.3% |
| Laos | $376.7M | 2% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $3.87 per kg, close to the world average of $4.62.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Solar cells and LED exports from the United States
Exports of solar cells and led by the United States reached $1.32 billion in 2024 (21.5 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 2%. Most of it went to Mexico (21%), China (12%), Germany (9%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 42%. Among the main buyer markets, Israel grew fastest (+60% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Mexico | $273.1M | 21% |
| China | $158.3M | 12% |
| Germany | $120.0M | 9.1% |
| Taiwan | $99.2M | 7.5% |
| Hong Kong | $95.2M | 7.2% |
| Singapore | $87.9M | 6.7% |
| South Korea | $86.5M | 6.6% |
| Canada | $51.1M | 3.9% |
| Malaysia | $45.8M | 3.5% |
| Israel | $41.2M | 3.1% |
Who is behind these numbers in the United States?
The shipment records behind United States solar cells and led imports (HS 8541.40): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
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Direct customs feed: shipment-level records from the official customs source.
Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 8541.40: Electrical apparatus: photosensitive, including photovoltaic cells, whether or not assembled in modules or made up into panels, light-emitting diodes (LED).
Common questions
What is the value of solar cells and led imported by the United States?
The United States imported solar cells and led worth $18.57 billion in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 4.79 million tonnes. That ranks it 1st of 221 countries worldwide, with 24% of world imports. The value was down 16% on 2023.
Which countries supply solar cells and led to the United States?
Vietnam was the largest supplier with 30% of the value ($5.65 billion), followed by Thailand (17%) and Malaysia (15%). The top three together account for 63%, out of 81 supplier countries in total. Indonesia grew fastest among the top ten, up 109% on the year.
What is the average import price of solar cells and led per kg?
The average declared import value was about $3.87 per kg in 2024, 16% below the world average of $4.62 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of solar cells and led to the United States changed since 2017?
Imports went from $7.43 billion in 2017 to $18.57 billion in 2024, an increase of 150%. The peak was 2023 at $22.09 billion. Over 8 years the average was $11.94 billion a year.
Does the United States also export solar cells and led?
Yes. The United States exported $1.32 billion worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Mexico, China and Germany. On balance the United States is a net importer of this product, by about $17.26 billion a year.
What is the HS code for solar cells and led?
The HS code for solar cells and led is subheading 8541.40. It sits in HS chapter 85 (electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers; television image and sound recorders and reproducers, parts and accessories of such articles). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 8541 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
Shipment-level records for the United States reach EximDataX from a direct customs feed, with company names, dates and declared values. We can show them for your product on a short call.
Same product, other countries
World solar cells and led trade: top importers and exporters
More trade data for the United States
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