EU CBAM compliance made easy.
Navigate the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) effortlessly with Gaston Schul's expert guidance. We handle the complexities of CBAM reporting and regulations to ensure your business meets EU standards without disruption.
What is CBAM?
The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is a legal framework designed to account for carbon costs at the EU's borders. By imposing a levy on goods imported into the EU based on their carbon content, CBAM aims to create a level playing field and foster fair competition between EU businesses and companies from outside the EU.
Who is affected by CBAM?
As of 1 October 2023, importers of specific goods from outside the EU are required to report and pay levies for products classified under the CN codes listed in Annex I of Regulation (EU) 2023/956. This includes products from the following categories:
- Iron and steel
- Cement
- Fertilizers
- Aluminium
- Electricity
- Hydrogen
How can you prepare for CBAM compliance?
To ensure compliance with EU CBAM rules, businesses must report the carbon emissions associated with each imported product. This is crucial as the reporting determines the tax payable. For guidance, our comprehensive checklist below provides step-by-step instructions to help you understand the reporting process, identify applicable CN codes, and comply with the regulations.
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Get your business ready by downloading your EU CBAM checklist. This guide will simplify the process and ensure you meet the standards required for seamless compliance.
Download CBAM checklistGet expert CBAM guidance from our customs experts
Our CBAM services and support include:
Discovery call
A discovery call to help align our services with your needs.
CBAM goods check
We check if goods are classified correctly and confirm if the goods are affected by CBAM.
Monthly report
A report indicating which of your shipments are affected by CBAM.
Advisory
We guide you in setting up CBAM procedures, and assist you in filling and submitting the final report.
Submitting report
We submit the CBAM report to the Trader Portal on your behalf, ensuring all required data is accurate and compliant.
Gaston Schul can directly benefit your business in CBAM compliance.
Experience the power of legacy, neutrality, and innovation with Gaston Schul. We specialise solely in Customs and Trade. With a tradition rooted in customer-centricity we forge enduring partnerships through tailored solutions, unmatched expertise, and unwavering commitment. Trust us to be your impartial guide and make the complicated, uncomplicated.
Expertise in CBAM regulations
We have a deep understanding of the current and evolving CBAM regulations, including reporting requirements, product coverage and future expansion plans. Our team is equipped to translate these complex regulations into clear, actionable steps, guiding your business through every phase of compliance.
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Ensure accurate CBAM reporting
Our understanding of the security requirements for CBAM declarations and data management enable us to ensure accuracy of your CBAM report submissions.
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Single point of contact advantage
Enjoy the benefits of personalised support from a dedicated advisor who understands your business context. In need of further assistance? You know who to contact to get the expert support you need.
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We’re here to provide you with comprehensive support for CBAM compliance. We navigate the CBAM updates and reporting requirements, so your compliance with authorities in this matter becomes streamlined and hassle-free, no matter where your business is located.
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CBAM FAQs
CBAM is the abbreviation for Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. It is a legal mechanism for carbon adjustment at the border, that aims to achieve a CO2 correction by introducing an additional tax on goods imported into the European Union. In this way, the system ultimately ensures fair competition between EU companies and companies from outside the EU in terms of CO2 emissions.
The EU CBAM applies to goods that fall into the categories: iron and steel, cement, fertilizers, aluminium, electricity, and hydrogen. Whether a product falls under the EU CBAM depends on the CN code of the product. The relevant CN codes are listed in Annex I of Regulation (EU) 2023/956.
Yes, there is a transitional phase for CBAM. This phase has started on 1 October 2023 and will run until 31 December 2025. Since this transitional phase reporting obligations are in effect.
The EU CBAM has officially been passed and is in force at present. However, the permanent CBAM system enters into force on 1 January 2026, meaning you will start paying financial levies from then on.
The following dates are key dates in the EU CBAM timeline:
- 31 October 2023: The first reporting period for EU CBAM emissions begins.
- 31 January 2024: Deadline for filing the first EU CBAM report on emissions from the previous reporting period.
- 30 April 2024: Deadline for the first quarterly declaration of 2024.
- 31 December 2024: End of the first reporting period under the transitional phase of EU CBAM.
- 1 January 2025: Start of the second reporting period under the transitional phase of EU CBAM.
- 30 June 2025: Deadline for the second quarterly declaration of emissions for 2025.
- 1 January 2026: The permanent EU CBAM system enters into force, requiring importers to buy CBAM certificates to compensate for the CO2 emissions of their imports.
- 31 January 2026: From this date, you must be registered and authorised as a 'CBAM declarer' to import goods to the EU.
- 1 January 2030: The CBAM coverage will be reviewed and possibly expanded, with the aim of including more than half of emissions in the EU ETS sectors by the full phase-in of CBAM in 2034.
Importers who import goods into the EU covered by CBAM are expected to:
- Report and submit emissions from their imports
- Purchase CBAM certificates by 1 January 2026 to offset CO2 emissions from their products
- Register with the CBAM Transitional Registry
- Be compliant in complying with CBAM requirements
- Work with their suppliers to reduce emissions from their imports
Make sure you know which of your products are covered by CBAM and what emission factors apply to them. Based on this, determine your CBAM obligations and develop a compliance strategy for calculating emissions, buying CBAM certificates and a way to manage your CBAM obligations. In addition, you need to register to the CBAM Transitional Registry. We recommend preparing as early as possible and getting the necessary information from your suppliers in time to ensure so you can continue to trade smoothly. If you would like expert guidance on the CBAM, you can contact us by filling out the contact form below or give us a call directly. Our customs experts are happy to help.
Click here to enter the CBAM Transitional Registry developed by the EU Commission. Access to this registry should be requested through the National Competent Authority (NCA) of the Member State in which the importer is established.
A list of National Competent Authorities for the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism can be found here.
To complete your CBAM report you will need identification documents, documents related to the imported goods, a calculation of the CBAM levies and if applicable a proof of payment.
The UK is also implementing a CBAM which is a separate mechanism but similar to the EU CBAM. Click here for a UK Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism factsheet from the UK Government.
Our friendly team of customs experts is here to help. Give us a call to speak to someone immediately, or kindly fill out the contact form above and a member of our team will respond within one business day.