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The European Commission published on 7 April 2026 the first official price for certificates under the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). For the first quarter of 2026, the price is set at €75.36 per tonne of CO₂ equivalent. This provides importers of goods such as steel, aluminium and cement, for the first time, with a concrete indication of the costs linked to embedded carbon emissions in imports into the European Union.

The publication marks an important milestone in the implementation of the CBAM system, whose definitive phase started on 1 January 2026. Under this regulation, importers of carbon-intensive products – including steel, aluminium, cement, fertilisers, electricity and hydrogen – are required to compensate for emissions generated during production outside the EU by purchasing corresponding certificates. The price of these certificates is directly linked to the market price within the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), ensuring a level playing field between EU and non-EU producers.

For 2026, CBAM certificate prices are calculated on a quarterly basis as the average of EU ETS prices. The next quarterly prices are expected to be published on 6 July and 5 October 2026, and in early January 2027. From 2027 onwards, the system will become more dynamic, with prices published on a weekly basis, reflecting developments in the EU ETS market. Importers are expected to be able to purchase CBAM certificates from 1 February 2027 to cover their 2026 obligations, with the first declaration and surrender deadline set for 30 September 2027.

While the first price provides greater clarity, significant uncertainties remain. Final benchmark values still need to be published, and reported emissions will only be subject to verification by accredited verifiers from 2027 onwards.

For businesses operating in international supply chains, CBAM is therefore moving from a reporting obligation to a system with direct financial implications. The coming period will be critical for companies to adapt their sourcing strategies, contractual arrangements and compliance processes to this evolving regulatory framework.

CLECAT has been closely following the implementation of CBAM and its implications for customs intermediaries and logistics service providers. The association continues to engage with the European Commission and relevant stakeholders to ensure that the practical challenges faced by the sector are adequately reflected in the development of the system's operational framework.