CBAM Reporting for Aluminum: A Complete Walkthrough
Aluminium is one of the six CBAM-covered product categories, with significant variation in emission factors depending on the smelting method and electricity source. This guide covers all aspects of CBAM reporting for aluminium importers.
CN Codes for Aluminium Products
Aluminium products fall under CN Chapter 76:
| CN Code | Product Description |
|---|---|
| 7601 | Unwrought aluminium |
| 7602 | Aluminium waste and scrap |
| 7603 | Aluminium powders and flakes |
| 7604 | Aluminium bars, rods and profiles |
| 7605 | Aluminium wire |
| 7606 | Aluminium plates, sheets and strip |
| 7607 | Aluminium foil |
| 7608 | Aluminium tubes and pipes |
| 7609 | Aluminium tube fittings |
| 7610 | Aluminium structures |
| 7611–7616 | Other aluminium articles |
Most aluminium CBAM reporting falls under CN 7601 (unwrought) and CN 7604–7606 (semi-finished products).
Why Aluminium Emissions Vary So Much
Aluminium production is highly electricity-intensive. The emission factor depends almost entirely on the electricity source used for smelting:
| Energy Source | Indirect Factor (tCO₂e/t) |
|---|---|
| Coal-fired grid | ~8.0–12.0 |
| Natural gas | ~4.0–6.0 |
| Hydroelectric | ~0.1–0.5 |
| Nuclear | ~0.0–0.1 |
| Renewable (solar/wind) | ~0.0–0.2 |
This means the same aluminium ingot from China (coal grid) vs Canada (hydro) has dramatically different default emission factors.
Default Emission Factors by Country
| Country | Direct (tCO₂e/t) | Indirect (tCO₂e/t) | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | 1.514 | 0.423 | 1.937 |
| Norway | 1.428 | 0.089 | 1.517 |
| China | 1.672 | 8.214 | 9.886 |
| India | 1.583 | 7.845 | 9.428 |
| UAE | 1.521 | 5.234 | 6.755 |
| Russia | 1.548 | 3.892 | 5.440 |
Choosing between default and actual factors can reduce your reported emissions by 60–80% for aluminium imports from countries with carbon-intensive electricity grids.
Data Requirements for Aluminium
For Each Product
- Specific CN code (8-digit)
- Quantity imported (tonnes)
- Smelting technology (pre-bake, Søderberg, inert anode)
- Electricity source (grid mix, hydro, renewables)
- Country of origin
- Supplier verification (if using actual values)
Documentation
- Smelter production data
- Electricity purchase records
- Supplier emission declarations
- Verification certificates (for actual values)
Common Aluminium-Specific Challenges
High indirect emission ratio — For aluminium, indirect emissions often exceed direct emissions by a factor of 5–10x. Getting the indirect factor right is critical.
Country-dependent variability — The same product from different countries can have 10x different total emissions. Always verify country-specific factors.
Smelting technology differences — Pre-bake anodes vs Søderberg technology have different direct emission profiles.
FAQ
Can I use the EU average emission factor for aluminium? No. Aluminium factors are country-specific. Using incorrect factors will result in inaccurate reports.
How do I report aluminium imported from multiple countries? Report each shipment separately with its country-specific factors. Do not average across countries.
Does recycled aluminium have different reporting requirements? Secondary (recycled) aluminium has significantly lower emissions. Different default factors apply.
Simplify Your Aluminium CBAM Reporting
Aluminium importers face the widest variance in emission factors of any CBAM-covered sector. CbamTrack automatically selects the correct country-specific and technology-specific factors for each of your products.
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