CBAM Calculator 2026
The transitional reporting era ended in 2025. From January 2026 importers buy certificates — here is what that costs on your volumes.
Example value — check this week’s official EU ETS auction average
Share of emissions you buy certificates for, as EU ETS free allowances phase out.
| Goods | Category | Tonnes | tCO2e / t | Remove |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Intensities are editable examples — replace with your verified values or official defaults.
Estimation tool for planning and education only — not legal, tax or compliance advice. Official default values, certificate prices and methodology are published by the European Commission; always verify against the official sources before filing or pricing contracts. See data sources & methodology
About cbam calculator 2026
2026 is the first year of CBAM’s definitive regime: EU importers of covered goods must buy CBAM certificates priced off the weekly EU ETS auction average, settle embedded emissions, and eventually reconcile against actual data.
The catch most spreadsheets miss: in 2026 you only buy certificates for 2.5% of embedded emissions, because EU ETS free allocation is still phasing out — but the factor steps up every year (5% in 2027, 10% in 2028, 22.5% in 2029, up to 100% by 2034). The calculator bakes in the schedule per Regulation (EU) 2023/956; pick the declaration year and watch the exposure move.
Covered goods: cement, iron and steel, aluminium, fertilisers, electricity and hydrogen. Small importers below the 50-tonne annual threshold are exempt under the 2025 simplification — verify your status against the official guidance.
Frequently asked questions
How much of my emissions do I pay for in 2026?
2.5% of embedded emissions in 2026, rising each year to 100% by 2034 as free allocation phases out. The year selector applies the schedule automatically.
Does CBAM apply to my consumer goods?
Only goods in covered sectors — cement, iron and steel, aluminium, fertilisers, electricity, hydrogen (plus certain downstream products). A t-shirt is not covered; the steel bolts in it may be.
Is my data uploaded anywhere?
No. The calculator is a static page — parsing, math and the report all happen in your browser. There is no server-side form handler at all.
How accurate is the estimate?
The arithmetic is exact; the inputs carry the uncertainty. Certificate prices move weekly, intensities vary by installation, and rules evolve — hence the range and the disclaimers.
Is this legal or compliance advice?
No. It is an estimation and education tool. Official rules, default values and prices are published by the European Commission; verify before filing or contracting.