Glossary
CBAM certificate
An electronic certificate under the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), standing for one tonne of CO₂ equivalent (CO₂e) of emissions embedded in imported goods. Authorised CBAM declarants buy them and surrender them each year.
- Legal source
- CBAM Regulation, Article 3(24) ↗
- Who it applies to
- Authorised CBAM declarants: they buy the certificates, keep enough on their account in the CBAM registry and surrender them. Importers exempt under the 50-tonne threshold need none.
- Example
- An authorised CBAM declarant's embedded emissions for 2026 come to 100 tonnes of CO₂e, after the reduction for a carbon price paid outside the EU and the adjustment for EU emission allowances given free of charge. It must surrender 100 CBAM certificates for 2026 by 30 September 2027.
- Also known as
- CBAM certificates
Each certificate covers one tonne of CO₂e: one tonne of CO₂, or the amount of another listed greenhouse gas with the same global warming potential. From 1 February 2027, each EU country sells certificates on a common central platform to the authorised CBAM declarants established there.
Declarants surrender certificates by 30 September each year for the year before, and 2026 is the first year covered. To surrender means to offset the certificates against the declared
Our certificates explainer explains the price and what certificates cost per tonne of goods.
Regulations
Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1740 corrected Annexes I and IV of the default values act, Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2621
Used in
EU ETS free allocation: benchmarks, the carbon leakage list and how free allowances are cut
How EU ETS free allowances are worked out for 2026-2030: benchmarks, the carbon leakage list, the 20% conditions, the CBAM factor and two pending proposals.
EU CBAM authorised declarant: how to apply, or use a customs representative
Beyond the 50-tonne exemption, only authorised declarants can import CBAM goods into the EU. How to apply, the guarantee, and the representative route.
EU CBAM certificate price: how certificates work and what they cost
How the EU CBAM certificate price is set, when you can buy, the 50% quarterly holding rule, surrender by 30 September 2027, and a worked cost example.
EU CBAM default values or actual emissions: which to use, and how embedded emissions are calculated
Under the EU CBAM, you declare embedded emissions from verified supplier data or from default values with a mark-up. How to choose, and what to ask suppliers.
EU CBAM 50-tonne threshold: does it apply to you, and what if you cross it?
At 50 tonnes or less a year of CBAM goods (not electricity or hydrogen), you're exempt from the EU CBAM. What counts, and the penalty for crossing unauthorised.
EU CBAM for producers and exporters outside the EU: registration, verification and who pays
Making steel, aluminium, cement or fertiliser in India or elsewhere outside the EU? What EU CBAM means for you: optional registration, verification, who pays.