CBAM cost calculator and data for EU importers
Since 1 January 2026 EU importers of steel, aluminium, cement and fertilisers pay for the carbon embedded in their goods. Change any underlined part:
The bill grows every year
In 2026 importers pay only for emissions above 97.5 % of the EU benchmark. As EU producers lose their free allowances, that deduction shrinks to zero in 2034, and the mark-up on default values triples. A budget built on 2026 figures will be far too low by 2030.
Tools and data
- Cost calculatorAny CN code and country, default or actual emissions, any year to 2034.
- 50-tonne checkFind out whether you need authorised declarant status this year.
- Default valuesOfficial embedded emissions by country of origin, with the 2026–2028 mark-ups.
- BenchmarksThe values behind the free allocation adjustment, by CN code and production route.
- Certificate priceQuarterly prices for 2026 imports and the switch to weekly prices.
Key dates
- Definitive period starts. Imports above 50 t/year require authorised CBAM declarant status.
- Last day to apply for authorisation and keep importing while the application is pending.
- Commission publishes the Q4 2026 certificate price.
- Sale of CBAM certificates opens on the common central platform.
- First annual CBAM declaration (2026 imports) and surrender of certificates.
- Proposed extension to downstream steel and aluminium products (still in trilogue).
Latest changes
- Downstream extension heads to trilogue
Council and Parliament have adopted their positions on extending CBAM to downstream steel and aluminium products. The Council's text covers around 200 products; the Parliament's Environment Committee voted for 457.
- Q3 2026 certificate price: €82.32
The Commission published the CBAM certificate price for goods imported in July–September 2026, up 9.4 % from Q2.
- Consultation on certificate sale and repurchase rules
The Commission opened feedback on the draft delegated regulation for selling and repurchasing CBAM certificates on the common central platform from 1 February 2027.
- Q2 2026 certificate price: €75.28
Price for goods imported in April–June 2026.
Guides
- What is CBAM?How the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism works in the definitive period: covered goods, who pays, the 50-tonne threshold, certificates and key dates.
- Authorised CBAM declarantWho must become an authorised CBAM declarant, the conditions, where to apply in each Member State, indirect customs representatives and what happens without authorisation.
- Declaration and certificatesThe annual CBAM declaration due 30 September, how certificates are priced and bought from February 2027, the quarterly 50 % holding rule, repurchase and cancellation.
- Default vs actual valuesWhen importers may use the Commission's default values, how the 10/20/30 % mark-up works, and when verified actual emissions from suppliers pay off.
- Free allocation adjustmentWhy importers do not pay for all embedded emissions: the CBAM benchmark, the CBAM factor phase-in from 97.5 % in 2026 to zero in 2034, with worked examples.
- CBAM penaltiesPenalties for not surrendering certificates, for importing above the threshold without authorisation, and the other consequences importers face.
- Downstream extension 2028The Commission's December 2025 proposal to bring around 180 steel- and aluminium-intensive downstream products into CBAM, the Parliament and Council positions, and what importers should do now.
Prices for 2026 imports: Q1 €75.36, Q2 €75.28, Q3 €82.32. Data from Implementing Regulations (EU) 2025/2620 and 2025/2621.