Shipping solar panels presents a complex logistical challenge. They are large, flat, and feature extremely fragile glass surfaces. Add the need to include a heavy inverter, and the shipment falls far outside the processing capabilities of regular postal services. For B2B suppliers, manufacturers, and installers, knowing how to deliver these items flawlessly is essential. This guide covers the technical requirements for safely shipping fragile plates and heavy equipment internationally.
Chantal has been writing about logistics topics for almost two decades and has worked for major international carriers.
Solar panels fall under complex freight. The risk of glass breakage and micro-cracks is massive if the shipment is handled manually or via automated sorting belts. Because they exceed standard network dimensions, specialized transport for large parcels or pallets is required, ensuring the load is always moved mechanically with a forklift.
Shipping an inverter introduces a contrasting problem: extreme mass density. Inverters are relatively compact but contain heavy internal electronics and copper coils. A heavy parcel delivery demands strict logistical separation from the fragile glass of the solar panels to prevent crushing during transit.
The most common and costly mistake when preparing a pallet for shipping with solar panels is laying the modules flat (horizontal stacking). This is the primary cause of structural transit damage.
Always position panels upright (vertically). Place them at an angle against a sturdy wooden A-frame or inside a custom-built transport crate.
Prevent bending. During horizontal transport, panels absorb all vertical vibrations from road or air transit directly in the center of the glass, inevitably leading to breakage. Vertical transport efficiently distributes forces across the strong aluminum frame.
Use proper shock absorption. Insert dense foam profiles between each individual panel and apply rigid edge protectors where strapping secures the load to prevent the straps from cutting into the frames.
Ideally, place the heavy inverter on a separate pallet. If this is logistically or financially unfeasible and the shipment must be consolidated, secure the inverter firmly to the wooden floor of the pallet, physically isolated from the glass.
Pack the inverter in a double- or triple-wall corrugated box and use high-density foam to block internal movement. Never use soft void fill like packing peanuts; they cannot support the heavy weight, causing the inverter to sink and shift during transit.
International B2B solar panel shipping to and from countries outside the European Union requires airtight customs documentation. Ensure your commercial invoice includes the exact technical specifications, the correct commercial value, and the precise HS code (typically 85414300 for photovoltaic cells).
If your company regularly exports outside of Europe, verifying current import restrictions and duties in the destination country is crucial. Read our import duties guide and always consult official bodies like the European Commission's Access2Markets portal for up-to-date export guidelines and local tariffs.
No. Solar panels are too large, too flat, and contain too much fragile glass to be processed through the automated sorting centers of standard postal networks. You must use specialized pallet transport or freight forwarding to avoid total loss of the goods.
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You must always transport solar panels upright (vertically or slightly tilted on an A-frame). Laying them flat forces the glass surface to absorb transport shocks and vibrations, maximizing the risk of breakage and invisible micro-cracks.
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Place the inverter in a triple-wall cardboard box and completely immobilize the device with high-density foam. Due to its heavy mass, the inverter must not shift inside the box. Shipping this on its own separate pallet is the safest method.
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Logistically, this is not recommended. If unavoidable, ensure the inverter is anchored directly to the sturdy wooden pallet base, far away from the solar panels. The inverter must exert absolutely zero physical pressure on the glass panels during transport.
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For exports and customs clearance outside the EU, HS code 85414300 is the standard classification for solar panels (photovoltaic cells, whether or not assembled in modules). Always check locally if specific anti-dumping duties apply in your destination country.
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You can instantly check the shipping costs through our rate calculator. Enter the weight, dimensions, and destination country of your shipment, and you will see all available shipping options along with their respective delivery times. The calculator can be used to compare shipping rates for both export and import shipments.
If you need help calculating a shipping rate, watch the video below. Click on the 
button to play the video and the 
icon to view the video in fullscreen.
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Shipping costs are calculated based on dimensions (LxWxH in cm), weight (in kg), and the destination country. Both the actual weight (as shown on the scale) and the volumetric weight are considered.
The volumetric weight is the weight calculated based on the space your shipment occupies in the plane. The higher of the two weights (volumetric or actual weight) is used to calculate the shipping rate. You don't need to calculate this yourself; our calculator does it for you.
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You can use the discount code PP10 for 10% discount on the transportation costs of your first shipment. You can apply the discount code during the checkout process (instructions).
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Whether additional costs apply depends on whether your shipment stays within the European Union or is sent to/from a country outside the European Union. Below, you can see the additional costs for each situation.
Within the European Union
If, for example, you send a shipment from the Netherlands to Italy (within the EU), there will be an additional 21% VAT on the shipping costs.
Furthermore, if your shipment stays within the European Union, you won't have to deal with any import duties or customs clearance fees because your shipment doesn't go through customs. Please note that the European Union is not the same as Europe.
View here all the countries that are part of the European Union. For example, Switzerland is part of Europe but not part of the European Union.
Outside the European Union
If, for example, you send a shipment from the Netherlands to the United States, there will be no VAT (0%) applied to the displayed shipping rates.
However, there might be import duties levied by customs in the destination country if you send a shipment to/from a country outside the European Union. Typically, customs costs are charged to the recipient. This is known as Delivered At Place (DAP) in logistics terminology.
Customs is a government agency that levies import duties in certain cases to protect the local market. As a company, you can also ship using Delivered Duty Paid (DDP), which means any customs costs will be charged to you as the sender.
If you have any questions about this topic, feel free to contact us. Additionally, you can read everything about import duties, VAT, and the customs clearance process in this blog.
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A customs invoice is a form where all the goods you want to ship are specified. This invoice includes an English description of the goods, along with their corresponding value and weight.
The contents of your shipment must be specified per type of product you're sending to avoid delays at customs. A customs invoice is always prepared in quadruplicate in accordance with customs guidelines.
When is a customs invoice required?
A customs invoice is only required for shipments to/from countries outside the European Union (e.g., Netherlands - United States). If your shipment stays within the European Union (e.g., Netherlands - Italy), your shipment will not go through customs, and therefore, a customs invoice is not required.
Additionally, document shipments are not subject to customs, so if you're sending a document to a country within/outside the European Union, no customs invoice is needed.
Please note that not all goods can be shipped to every country. You can find a list of goods that cannot be sent via ParcelParcel on this page.
Do I need to create a customs invoice myself?
If you're sending a shipment to/from a country outside the European Union, it's mandatory to include a customs invoice with the shipment. We provide free support in creating a customs invoice.
You can easily generate a customs invoice through our shipping platform. The customs invoice will be automatically generated based on the content you specified during your booking.
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You can import just as easily as export via ParcelParcel.
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You can find a list of goods that cannot be shipped via ParcelParcel on this page.
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