Vertical: EVSE & Solar PV. Channel: B2B export. Lane: China → Egypt (Alexandria / Damietta / Sokhna). Scope: pre-shipment PID verification of crystalline-silicon PV modules per IEC 62804 series, with sample inspection per ISO 2859-1 AQL.
This Standard Operating Procedure defines the TradVolt process for executing Potential-Induced Degradation (PID) testing of photovoltaic (PV) modules manufactured in the People's Republic of China and destined for solar farms in the Arab Republic of Egypt. The objective is to confirm PID resistance prior to vessel loading, mitigate warranty exposure, and align with the importer's technical due-diligence package. PID is a well-documented reliability concern in fielded PV arrays where high system voltages, humidity, and temperature drive leakage currents through the module encapsulation, leading to power loss measured in percent [%] of nameplate output1. The corridor CN→EG typically uses deep-sea lines calling at Alexandria (EGALY), Damietta (EGDAM), or Ain Sukhna (EGSUK) ports under CIF or CFR Incoterms2.
| Reference | Title / scope | Use in this SOP |
|---|---|---|
| IEC 62804-1:2015 | Photovoltaic (PV) modules — Test methods for the detection of potential-induced degradation — Part 1: Crystalline silicon | Defines the stress conditions (temperature, humidity, voltage bias, duration) used in step 63. |
| ISO 2859-1:1999 | Sampling procedures for inspection by attributes — Single sampling plans by AQL | Sample draw in step 5, General Inspection Level II, AQL 1.0 for major defects4. |
| Incoterms® 2020 (ICC) | International Commercial Terms — CIF, CFR, FOB, DAP | Defines point of transfer, cost, and risk allocation in step 82. |
| UL 1703 / UL 61730 | North-American PV module safety standards | Referenced only if Egyptian importer also requires UL-listed supply chain records5. |
| CE Marking (EU 2014/35/EU) | Low Voltage Directive | Cross-checked on OEM datasheet, where applicable6. |
| Step # | Action | Owner | Input doc | Output doc | Done-when |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Receive importer RFQ; confirm OEM brand, module model (e.g. monocrystalline PERC/TOPCon), lot size in units, and Incoterm® 2020 selection. | TradVolt Sales Engineer | Importer RFQ email + OEM datasheet | RFQ acknowledgement (PDF) | Acknowledgement sent ≤ 24 h; RFQ ticket logged. |
| 2 | Open internal process ticket; assign China Export (CEx) coordinator and confirm TradVolt SLA window. | TradVolt Process Office | Acknowledged RFQ | Internal ticket ID (e.g. TV-CN-EG-2026-XXXX) | Ticket created; CEx named; SLA documented. |
| 3 | Verify OEM datasheet PID class (typically PID-resistant or PID-free) and warranty terms. | Technical Engineer | OEM datasheet (manufacturer service manual) | Technical review note | PID class and warranty ceiling logged in ticket. |
| 4 | Coordinate with CN-based accredited lab; confirm IEC 62804-1 chamber parameters: +85 °C, 85 % RH, 96 h, voltage bias equal to system max (commonly −1000 V DC or +1000 V DC).3 | CEx Coordinator | Lab capability list + OEM datasheet | Lab quotation & test plan | Lab booked; test plan signed by both parties. |
| 5 | Draw the inspection sample per ISO 2859-1 General Inspection Level II, AQL 1.0 for major defects.4 | Independent Inspector | Lot quantity [units] | Sample pick list + chain-of-custody form | Sample size recorded against ISO 2859-1 table; samples sealed and shipped to lab. |
| 6 | Perform PID test under chamber conditions; record Pmax degradation [%] before and after stress. | Accredited CN Lab | Sealed samples | Raw test data sheet | Test completed within 96 h + measurement window. |
| 7 | Issue bilingual (English/Arabic) test report; verify degradation < 5 % (typical OEM threshold) for PID-free or < OEM-stated limit. | Technical Engineer + Translator | Raw data + OEM datasheet | Final PID test report (EN/AR PDF) | Report issued; reviewed against OEM limits; archived. |
| 8 | Ship pre-export documents (commercial invoice, packing list, draft PID report, certificate of origin) to EG importer under chosen Incoterm 2020.2 | CEx Coordinator | Final PID report + shipping documents | Pre-shipment document pack | Documents received by EG importer before vessel arrival. |
| 9 | Coordinate EG customs clearance: HS classification, ACID number, Nafeza platform submission, duty assessment. | EG Import Desk (TradVolt local agent) | Document pack + ACID | Customs release order | Goods released by Egyptian Customs Authority.7 |
| 10 | Confirm delivery to EG warehouse or project site; close ticket; archive records. | TradVolt Process Office | Customs release order + delivery receipt | Closed ticket + archived PDF pack | Ticket closed within SLA; audit trail preserved. |
| 11 | Schedule post-shipment PID re-check after 12 months in service. | Technical Engineer | Closed ticket | Calendar reminder | Re-check window queued in CMMS. |
| Phase | Step(s) | Owner | Duration (working days, indicative) | Dependency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A. RFQ & intake | 1, 2 | Sales / Process Office | 1 day | Importer RFQ received |
| B. Tech review | 3 | Technical Engineer | 1 day | OEM datasheet supplied |
| C. Lab booking & sample draw | 4, 5 | CEx + Inspector | 2 days | Lab capacity confirmed |
| D. PID test execution | 6 | CN Lab | 5 days (96 h stress + 1 d EL/flash) | Samples received at lab |
| E. Reporting | 7 | Tech + Translator | 2 days | Lab raw data delivered |
| F. Pre-export dispatch | 8 | CEx Coordinator | 2 days | Final report signed off |
| G. Sea transit CN→EG (indicative) | 9 | Freight forwarder + EG desk | 18–22 days (UNCERTAIN, subject to line) | Vessel departure |
| H. EG clearance & delivery | 9, 10 | EG Import Desk | 3–5 days | Nafeza/ACID pre-lodgement |
| I. Closure & archive | 10, 11 | Process Office | 1 day | Delivery receipt |
| Total elapsed (door-to-door, indicative) | ~ 35 days | — | ||
Sea-transit durations are indicative and depend on carrier rotation, port congestion, and Suez Canal transit conditions. Lab turnaround assumes normal chamber availability and is not a guaranteed lead-time.
Equipment / parts in scope: Photovoltaic (PV) crystalline-silicon modules for electricity generation, with or without PID-resistance certification.
Suggested HS classification (to be confirmed by licensed customs broker): 8541.43 — Photovoltaic cells and modules. The Egyptian Customs Authority (MISA / Egyptian Customs) applies the HS code to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of Egypt. The 6-digit HS subheading above is the internationally agreed subheading in the WCO Harmonized System nomenclature8; the 8- or 10-digit national tariff line, applicable duties, VAT treatment, and any Egyptian Customs Executive Regulations preferences (e.g. under COMESA, GAFTA, EU-Egypt Association Agreement, or the African Continental Free Trade Area — AfCFTA) must be verified at the time of import.
Duty / VAT rates: PENDING — lookup at the official Egyptian Customs Authority (MISA — مصلحة الجمارك المصرية) portal and the National Tax Authority (ETA — Egyptian Tax Authority) at the time of each shipment. TradVolt does not hardcode duty or VAT percentages in this SOP.
Pre-lodgement: The Egyptian ACID (Advance Cargo Information Declaration) number must be lodged on the Nafeza platform prior to vessel loading at origin7.
Disclaimer: HS classification, duty rates, VAT, exemptions, and preferential origin treatments vary by exact technical specification (e.g. cell technology, rated wattage, bifacial vs monofacial) and by current Egyptian Executive Regulations. Always confirm with a licensed Egyptian customs broker and the official portals cited above. This block is process-orientation only and does not constitute legal or tax advice.
| Cost line | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|
| CN accredited lab — PID test (IEC 62804-1) | USD per sample | indicative — confirmed at quotation |
| ISO 2859-1 sample draw & inspector fee | USD per man-day | indicative |
| Bilingual EN/AR report translation | USD per page | indicative |
| Pre-export document pack handling | USD per shipment | indicative |
| EG customs broker + duty / VAT assessment | Per shipment | UNCERTAIN — depends on HS line and Egyptian Executive Regulations at time of import |
| Sea freight CN→EGALY / EGDAM / EGSUK | USD per module or per container | indicative — BAF/CAF surcharges apply |
| ACID / Nafeza lodgement | Per shipment | indicative |
All cost figures are indicative and UNCERTAIN until a written TradVolt quotation is issued. Sea freight is subject to Bunker Adjustment Factor (BAF), Currency Adjustment Factor (CAF), and port congestion surcharges as published by the ocean carrier.
The PID test is considered PASS if the post-stress relative power degradation of the inspected samples does not exceed the threshold declared on the OEM datasheet — typically ≤ 5 % for PID-free modules and ≤ 8 % for standard PID-resistant modules3. A FAIL triggers a re-sample per ISO 2859-1 tightened inspection rules4; two consecutive FAILs escalate to a lot-level quarantine pending OEM root-cause review.
| Role | Responsibility |
|---|---|
| TradVolt Sales Engineer | Accountable — RFQ intake and SLA |
| TradVolt Process Office | Responsible — ticket lifecycle |
| Technical Engineer | Responsible — datasheet review, report sign-off |
| China Export (CEx) Coordinator | Responsible — lab booking, pre-export docs |
| Independent Inspector | Responsible — ISO 2859-1 sample draw |
| Accredited CN Lab | Responsible — IEC 62804-1 test execution |
| EG Import Desk (TradVolt local agent) | Responsible — Nafeza / ACID, customs release |
| Importer (EG) | Consulted — accepts final report, signs off delivery |
All step outputs (RFQ, test report, customs release, ticket archive) shall be retained for a minimum of 7 (seven) years from the date of delivery, in line with standard B2B documentation practice. Electronic copies shall be stored in the TradVolt document management system under the ticket ID; paper originals shall be filed by the Process Office.
Changes to chamber parameters, AQL levels, or HS classification logic require a new version of this SOP and sign-off by the Process Office. Minor editorial changes (typo, contact details) may be made without version increment but shall be logged in the document footer.