US Customs Releases Solar Cells from Toyo’s Ethiopia Factory After Supply Chain Review

Japan-based solar manufacturer Toyo Co. has confirmed that US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) released solar cells produced at its factory in Ethiopia after reviewing supply chain documentation, including the traceability of polysilicon and wafers.

CBP had detained two shipments on May 27 and 28, involving approximately 0.094 MW of solar cells valued at $13,770, over suspected links to forced labor. Toyo has not confirmed whether the recently released goods were part of those shipments.

The development comes amid increased US scrutiny of solar imports from Ethiopia. On July 17, the US Department of Commerce launched a country-wide circumvention investigation into whether solar products made in Ethiopia use Chinese components for assembly. The investigation followed a petition from eight US manufacturers and includes Toyo and Origin Solar Manufacturing. A preliminary determination is expected in mid-December, barring an extension.

Toyo has denied the allegations, stating that the polysilicon used in its Ethiopian solar cells comes from the United States and Malaysia.

The company operates a 4 GW TOPCon solar cell facility in Hawassa, Ethiopia. In the US, its module factory in Humble, Texas, has expanded to 2 GW, while a planned 1.5 GW heterojunction (HJT) cell production line is targeted to begin trial production in the first quarter of 2028.

Toyo is also pursuing C-TPAT certification to strengthen its import compliance procedures. The case highlights the growing importance of supply chain traceability as the US steps up customs inspections and trade investigations involving solar products manufactured outside China.