I am a DIY kind of guy. I want solar panels so I see them pretty cheap on Alibaba direct from China.

I buy 24 Sunway 400w solar panels for $2064. I also buy all the mounting hardware, inverter, etc for another $2600. And pay $950 boat shipping from China.

Thought I got myself a deal.

It gets to Oakland, Ca and US customs informs me that the solar panels from China are subject to anti dumping cases, and the fees will be $5559. In addition, I need a 100% collateral customs bond that will cost $10,200.

So to get my solar system in I need to pay $15759. This is more than it would cost in the United States, which I presume is the purpose of the customs fees.

My customs agent says the only way to recoup any money is to resell them in Mexico or Canada who have much lower duties for solar panels from China. They can then easily forward the solar panels and let me keep the inverter and mounting rack.

So, anybody ever run into this? What did you do?