EU CBAM Certificate Estimator

How much will the CBAM carbon tariff cost you?

CBAM Estimator

See how the CBAM mechanism could affect your imports...

Can't see the calculator yet? Please wait a moment longer while it finishes loading. This tool is in BETA. Learn more about the calculations and assumptions.

Get tailored CBAM calculations

The above figures are based on average emissions data for steel and aluminum only. Need more accurate cost estimates of CBAM certificates for your specific product imports?
Get CBAM Calculations

Prepare for the CBAM certificate price markups

When the EU CBAM's carbon levy comes into effect in 2026, importers will need to purchase CBAM certificates (one per tonne of reported emissions). The certificate price will be tied to the EU ETS carbon price.

Importers will be able to use default emissions factors (provided by the European Council) or primary emissions data when reporting emissions for CBAM-covered goods.

Using default factors could be more expensive than using primary data, if your imported goods are relatively lower-carbon. This is because:

The European Council will add a markup to CBAM certificates where default factors are used

Default factors will be based on worst-performing production assets in the relevant country.

To avoid the markup and reduce the potential cost of certificates, importers should:

Prepare for accurate CBAM reporting based on their specific suppliers and assets.

Find opportunities to reduce emissions (and reduce the cost of certificates) ahead of time.

About these calculations

The figures provided by the CarbonChain CBAM Certificate Estimator (BETA) are estimated potential certificate prices. These are based on tonnage traded, emissions factors in the CarbonChain database and the difference between the EU ETS and the carbon pricing scheme in that non-EU country*.

The European Council will add a markup to CBAM certificates where default factors are used

Default factors will be based on worst-performing production assets in the relevant country.

*If a country has its own carbon pricing scheme equivalent to the EU ETS, the cost of the CBAM certificate will be the EU ETS price minus the non-EU scheme price. The European Commission has not yet released details of which countries’ carbon pricing schemes will be considered equivalent. The CarbonChain CBAM Certificate Estimator uses best-available data and assumptions to factor in this calculation (including carbon pricing schemes set to be implemented by 2026).

Related Resources

Aluminum
CBAM
Featured
Policy
Steel

EU CBAM excludes indirect emissions — at what cost?

By
Adam Watson

Porem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.

Jorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nunc vulputate libero et velit interdum, ac aliquet odio mattis.

Request a demo