EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)

Europe’s goal to become the first climate-neutral continent by 2050 is shaping policy and regulation across industries. The European Green Deal, launched in 2019 and adopted in 2020, is a roadmap of tax and non-tax policy initiatives designed to achieve this ambitious target. It set the stage for the Fit for 55 package, which aims to cut emissions by 55 percent by 2030 compared to 1990 levels.

As part of the Fit for 55 package, the European Union (EU) is revamping its Emissions Trading System (ETS), expanding its scope, tightening the annual cap and phasing out free allowances. While these measures accelerate decarbonization, they also raise carbon prices and risk shifting production or purchases to countries and territories with weaker climate rules (carbon leakage).

To address this, the EU introduced the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). Effective since October 2023, CBAM imposes a carbon charge on certain imports, matching the cost faced by EU producers under the ETS and replacing free allowances for high-risk sectors. This levels the playing field, encourages global decarbonization, and protects EU industry from unfair competition.

Recent CBAM amendments, agreed in June 2025, should further simplify compliance from September 2025, including a de minimis threshold and reduced administrative burden for businesses.

CBAM at a glance

• Effective dates: Regulation entered into force on 17 May 2023; reporting obligations began 1 October 2023.
• Purpose: CBAM imposes a carbon price on certain imports, aligning them with EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) charges, and encourages global decarbonization.
• Recent updates: In June 2025, EU institutions agreed on amendments to CBAM under the Omnibus I simplification package, including a de minimis threshold and measures to reduce administrative burden.

CBAM currently applies to carbon-intensive goods imported from outside the EU, including:

• Cement
• Electricity
• Fertilizers
• Aluminum
• Iron and steel
• Hydrogen
• Selected upstream and downstream iron, steel and aluminum products

Key exemptions and thresholds

Under the Omnibus simplification, importers with less than 50 tons of covered goods are exempt from CBAM, excluding 90 percent of importers while still capturing 99 percent of carbon emissions. Importers above this threshold are fully subject to CBAM unless other exemptions apply. The threshold is reviewed annually and may be adjusted to maintain the 99 percent 

• The threshold does not apply to electricity and hydrogen.
• Electricity generated within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) or continental shelf of an EU member state is now excluded from CBAM.
• Imports from countries participating in or are linked to the EU ETS (currently Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, Switzerland and five other territories) are excluded.
• If actual emissions data is used to determine CO2 emissions, any carbon price paid in the country of origin can be deducted from the CBAM charge. If default values are used, only the default carbon price for that country, as published by the EU Commission (starting in 2027), will be considered.
• By 2030, CBAM is expected to expand to all sectors covered by the EU ETS.
• Scope has been reduced by 90%, yet still captures 99% of emissions

Transitional phase (From 1 October 2023 to 31 December 2025)

• Importers must report direct and indirect emissions for covered goods, but no financial obligations apply during this time. This step is likely to pose challenges for many companies, as necessary IT solutions for recording and determining carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions are often lacking.
• Quarterly CBAM reports are required, detailing imported quantities, direct and indirect embedded emissions (reporting on indirect embedded emissions is initially only for cement, electric power and fertilizer), and carbon taxes paid in the country of production.

Operational phase (From 1 February 2027)

• Emissions trading under CBAM begins 1 February 2027, with retroactive obligations for 2026 imports (postponed by Omnibus I).
• Importers must obtain CBAM authorization as registered CBAM declarants to release CBAM goods for free circulation from 1 January 2026.
• From 2027, importers must submit an annual CBAM declaration and surrender certificates for embedded CO2 emissions by 30 September.
• First declaration covers 2026 imports; emissions can be determined using actual data or EU default values.
• CBAM certificates for 2026 imports must be purchased retroactively from 1 February 2027, priced at the average ETS price per quarter in 2026.

Certificate trading and compliance

• Importers must match embedded CO2 emissions with purchased and surrendered certificates in the annual CBAM declaration; shortfalls incur penalties.
• From 2027, importers must hold certificates covering at least 50 percent of year-to-date emissions on a quarterly basis.
• Surplus certificates can be resold to the authority, but only above the 50 percent coverage threshold, unless annual imports are below 50 tons (de minimis threshold).
• Repurchase applications for surplus certificates must be submitted by 31 October of the following year; certificates not resold by then are cancelled.

Key requirements:

1. Determine direct CO2 emissions in imported goods using actual or default values
2. Verify actual emissions data via an accredited verifier.
3. Acquire CBAM certificates from the relevant authority.
4. Submit annual CBAM declaration by 30 September, comparing imported emissions with certificates acquired.
5. Surrender certificates equal to imported CO2 emissions by 30 September each year.

Whether you’re based within the EU or trading with the EU, we encourage companies to consider their own decarbonization strategies — whether to ensure preparedness for upcoming legislation or to make operations future-ready for medium- and long-term global developments.

KPMG member firms offer  support and advice to help you navigate CBAM and broader decarbonization challenges. Our multidisciplinary teams combine experience in Climate Change, Global Trade & Customs, ESG, and Tax & Legal to deliver practical, tailored advice. 

Our services include:

• Emissions measurement, monitoring and reporting
• CBAM compliance strategy and implementation
• Renewable energy procurement and energy efficiency
• Circular economy and sustainable supply chain management
• Tax and legal advisory
• Technology solutions for data management and reporting, including our CBAM Trade Data Check
• Climate risk assessment and resilience planning
• Support for sustainable financing, capital raising and M&A