The Economic Times reported that Acme Cleantech Solutions, a solar energy developer in India, has appealed to the court to pay import duties on solar panels and components at Chennai port.
Acme has filed a lawsuit against the Chennai customs official in the High Court of Madras, saying the company has been required to provide bank guarantees as import duties and interim deposits since Sept. 12 in order to deliver the goods at the port.
The tariffs on imports were due to changes in the classification of solar panels and components, shifting them from a category that does not require the levy of tariffs to a category of motors and generators, which have to pay 7.5% import duties and other fees.
The Economic Times said the reclassification of the Chennai customs has been adopted by some other ports, even though the new and renewable energy ministers have written to the finance department asking for the restoration of the previous classification.
Acme is reportedly the only solar developer to take legal action, although many other companies are affected, and most of the solar modules used in India come from abroad because of the limited manufacturing capacity in the country to provide global prices.
