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CBAM Data & Statistics
CBAM Statistics 2026 — Key Data, Figures & Trade Impact
The EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism entered its definitive phase on 1 January 2026, marking the first time a major economy has imposed a carbon price on embedded emissions in imported goods. This page compiles the latest official data from the European Commission, Eurostat, and industry sources — from import volumes and certificate prices to sector breakdowns and exporter rankings. All figures are updated as of June 2026.
€89B
CBAM Import Value (2024)
105M
Tonnes Covered (2024)
6
Sectors in Scope
500+
CN Codes Covered
€75.36
Certificate Price Q1 2026
12,000+
Declarant Applications
Coverage
CBAM Sector Breakdown
CBAM covers six carbon-intensive sectors, accounting for approximately 4% of all EU imports by value but a far larger share of embedded carbon emissions. In 2024, the total import volume reached 105 million tonnes across more than 500 distinct CN codes. The table below breaks down each sector by volume share, emission benchmarks, and applicable CN code ranges.
| Sector | Share of Volume | Annual Volume | Benchmark Value | CN Codes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron & Steel | 69% | 72.5M tonnes | 0.209 tCO₂e/t (BF-BOF) | CN 72xx, 73xx |
| Fertilisers | 15% | 15.8M tonnes | Varies by product | CN 28xx, 31xx |
| Cement | 11% | 11.6M tonnes | 0.666 tCO₂e/t (clinker) | CN 2507, 2523 |
| Aluminium | 5% | 5.3M tonnes | 1.513 tCO₂e/t (primary) | CN 76xx |
| Electricity | <1% | 30 TWh | Country-specific factor | CN 2716 |
| Hydrogen | <1% | Negligible | 9.5 tCO₂e/t (SMR) | CN 2804 10 |
Note: Volume data based on Eurostat 2024 trade data. Iron and steel alone accounts for 69% of all CBAM-covered tonnage. The European Commission has announced an expansion to include ~180 additional downstream steel and aluminium products from 2028.
Pricing
CBAM Certificate Price 2026
The European Commission published the first official CBAM certificate price on 7 April 2026. For 2026, prices are calculated quarterly as the weighted average of EU ETS auction clearing prices. From 2027 onward, the Commission will publish weekly prices. Certificates can be purchased from February 2027 via the common central platform.
| Period | Certificate Price | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 2026 | €75.36 | Published (7 Apr 2026) |
| Q2 2026 | ~€70.50 (est.) | Publishing 6 Jul 2026 |
| Q3 2026 | TBD | Publishing 5 Oct 2026 |
| Q4 2026 | TBD | Publishing 4 Jan 2027 |
| 2027+ | Weekly price | Published every Monday |
Penalties
Default Value Markup Schedule
Under IR (EU) 2025/2621 Article 5, importers who use default emission values instead of verified actual supplier data are subject to a phased penalty markup. The markup increases each year to incentivise the collection of actual emissions data. Using actual data from suppliers removes the penalty entirely.
2026
×1.10 (10%)
First year of definitive regime — 10% penalty on default values
2027
×1.20 (20%)
Penalty increases to 20% — actual data becomes more valuable
2028+
×1.30 (30%)
Maximum penalty — default values cost 30% more
Phase-Out
Free Allocation Phase-Out Timeline
Free allocation under the EU ETS for CBAM-covered sectors follows a linear phase-out schedule. As free allowances decrease, importers must purchase an increasing number of CBAM certificates. By 2034, zero free allocation remains — importers pay the full certificate price for all embedded emissions.
| Period | Annual Reduction | Cumulative Phase-Out | Remaining Free Allocation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026–2027 | 2.5% annually | 5% | 95% |
| 2028–2029 | 5% annually | 15% | 85% |
| 2030–2031 | 10% annually | 35% | 65% |
| 2032–2033 | 15% annually | 65% | 35% |
| 2034 | 35% | 100% | 0% |
CbamTrack automatically applies the correct free allocation percentage based on the reporting quarter. Your dashboard shows the exact CBAM liability after free allocation deductions, with projections for future quarters as the phase-out progresses.
Trade
CBAM Trade Data & Country Rankings
In 2024, CBAM-covered EU imports had a total value of €89 billion, declining 6% from 2023 due to lower commodity prices. Despite lower values, the volume of CBAM goods rose 6% to 105 million tonnes. The first reporting window of the definitive regime (1–6 January 2026) saw 1.66 million tonnes declared, 98% of which was iron and steel.
Top Exporting Countries
| Rank | Country | Key CBAM Products |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Türkiye | Steel, cement |
| 2 | China | Steel, aluminium, chemicals |
| 3 | India | Steel, aluminium |
| 4 | Canada | Aluminium, fertilisers |
| 5 | Taiwan | Steel |
| 6 | Vietnam | Steel, cement |
| 7 | United Kingdom | Electricity, steel |
| 8 | Russia | Fertilisers, steel |
| 9 | United States | Aluminium, chemicals |
| 10 | South Korea | Steel |
Top Importing EU Member States
| Rank | Member State | Import Profile |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Belgium | Seaports + steel distribution hub |
| 2 | Spain | Diversified industrial imports |
| 3 | Romania | Steel-intensive manufacturing |
| 4 | Netherlands | Rotterdam port + distribution |
| 5 | France | Automotive & construction |
| 6 | Germany | Largest EU economy, steel importer |
Registrations
CBAM Declarant & Operational Statistics
The European Commission reported the following operational statistics shortly after CBAM entered its definitive phase on 1 January 2026. These figures demonstrate the scale of CBAM adoption and the readiness of customs infrastructure across member states.
12,000+
Applications for CBAM authorisation submitted by 7 Jan 2026
4,100+
Authorised CBAM declarants across the EU
10,483
Customs declarations with CBAM goods validated (1–6 Jan 2026)
1.66M
Tonnes declared in the first reporting window
Revenue
CBAM Revenue Projection
As free allocation phases out and certificate obligations increase, CBAM certificate sales are projected to generate significant revenue for the EU budget. These figures are based on European Commission impact assessments and independent analyses.
Projected Revenue
€1.5B
by 2028
Projected Revenue
€2.1B
by 2030
Chinese Aluminium Liability
~€500M
estimated 2026
CBAM revenue represents less than 1% of the total EU budget and is allocated toward Next Generation EU loan repayments and climate transition investments. Funds are also directed to the EU's Modernisation Fund and Innovation Fund.
Deadlines
Key CBAM Deadlines for 2026–2027
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1 Jan 2026 | CBAM definitive regime begins — certificate obligations start |
| 31 Jan 2026 | Last transitional quarterly report due (Q4 2025) |
| 31 Mar 2026 | Deadline to submit CBAM authorisation application (provisional imports) |
| 30 Apr 2026 | Q1 2026 quarterly report due (first definitive-period report) |
| 31 Jul 2026 | Q2 2026 quarterly report due |
| 31 Oct 2026 | Q3 2026 quarterly report due |
| 1 Feb 2027 | CBAM certificate sales begin on common central platform |
| 30 Sep 2027 | First annual CBAM declaration due (covering 2026 imports) |
| 30 Sep 2027 | First certificate surrender deadline (covers 2026 imports) |
Sources
Data Sources & Methodology
All statistics on this page are sourced from the European Commission's official CBAM communications, Eurostat trade data (Comext), the EU ETS auction platform, and published industry reports. Key sources include:
- •European Commission — CBAM Quarterly Reporting Statistics (14 Jan 2026)
- •European Commission — Price of CBAM Certificates (7 Apr 2026)
- •CO2 IQ / Eurostat — EU Imports with CBAM Tariff (May 2025, based on 2024 trade data)
- •European Commission — IR (EU) 2025/2621 (default value methodology)
- •CGD — Transforming EU Climate Leadership through CBAM Reform (2024, revenue projections)
- •Informed Clearly — EU CBAM Goes Live (Jun 2026, declarant statistics)
Last updated: June 2026. As CBAM is a fast-evolving regulation, figures may be updated as new data becomes available from the European Commission and Eurostat.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about CBAM statistics, pricing, and scope answered with data from official EU sources.
How many sectors does CBAM cover?
CBAM currently covers six carbon-intensive sectors: iron and steel (including steel-intensive downstream products), aluminium, cement, fertilisers, hydrogen, and electricity. Together these sectors account for approximately 94% of CBAM-covered import emissions. The European Commission has announced plans to expand coverage to an additional 180 steel- and aluminium-intensive downstream products (e.g. machinery, appliances) from 2028 onward.
What is the current CBAM certificate price?
The CBAM certificate price for Q1 2026 is €75.36 per tonne of CO₂ equivalent, published by the European Commission on 7 April 2026. The price is calculated as the weighted average of EU ETS auction clearing prices for the quarter. For Q2 2026, the price is estimated at approximately €70.50/tCO₂, with the official figure expected on 6 July 2026. Starting from 2027, certificate prices will be published on a weekly basis.
Which countries export the most CBAM-covered goods to the EU?
Based on European Commission data from the first CBAM reporting window (January 2026), the top exporting countries are Türkiye, China, India, Canada, Taiwan, and Vietnam. Türkiye is the largest exporter of CBAM goods to the EU, particularly in steel and cement. India exported approximately $4.4–4.6 billion in iron and steel to the EU in 2024, and aluminium exports stabilised at around $1.1 billion.
How many companies have registered for CBAM?
As of 7 January 2026, over 12,000 economic operators had submitted applications for CBAM authorisation, with more than 4,100 obtaining authorised declarant status. In the first week alone (1–6 January 2026), 10,483 customs declarations containing CBAM goods were validated automatically. These numbers are expected to grow significantly as the 31 March 2026 provisional import deadline approaches.
What is the de minimis threshold for CBAM?
Importers shipping 50 tonnes or less per product group per year qualify for the de minimis exemption under Regulation (EU) 2025/2083. Importers above this threshold must comply regardless of company size. Even exempt importers must register with their national competent authority and formally declare the exemption — it is not automatic. CbamTrack's dashboard tracks your import volumes against the threshold in real time.
How does the free allocation phase-out work?
Free allocation for CBAM-covered sectors follows a linear phase-out schedule mirroring the EU ETS. The reduction starts at 2.5% in 2026 and gradually accelerates: 5% annually in 2028–2029, 10% in 2030–2031, 15% in 2032–2033, culminating in full phase-out (100%) by 2034. This means importers must progressively purchase more CBAM certificates each year as free allowances decrease.
How much revenue will CBAM generate?
The European Commission projects CBAM certificate revenue will reach approximately €1.5 billion by 2028 and rise to €2.1 billion by 2030, as free allocation phases out and certificate obligations increase. In context, CBAM revenues represent less than 1% of the total EU budget (~€180 billion expected in 2028). These funds are allocated toward Next Generation EU loan repayments and climate transition investments.
Which EU countries are the largest importers of CBAM goods?
Based on first-week CBAM declaration data (January 2026), the highest declaration volumes were recorded in Belgium, Spain, Romania, the Netherlands, France, and Germany. These six member states account for the majority of CBAM-covered import activity, driven by major seaports (Rotterdam, Antwerp), steel-intensive manufacturing, and diversified industrial sectors.
Are any countries exempt from CBAM?
Imports from countries with equivalent carbon pricing systems are currently exempt from CBAM. This includes Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein (which participate in the EU ETS) and Switzerland (which operates a linked ETS). The United Kingdom has agreed in principle to link its ETS with the EU ETS, which would exempt UK exports from CBAM once the agreement is finalised. All other third countries are subject to CBAM requirements.
What is the default value penalty markup?
Under IR (EU) 2025/2621 Article 5, a penalty multiplier applies when importers use default emission values instead of verified actual data from suppliers: ×1.10 (10% penalty) in 2026, ×1.20 (20%) in 2027, and ×1.30 (30%) from 2028 and onward. This phased increase is designed to incentivise importers to collect actual emissions data from their suppliers. With CbamTrack's supplier portal, you can request, verify, and apply actual supplier data automatically.
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