What is covered
CBAM covers iron and steel from agglomerated ore and pig iron through semi-finished slab and billet, flat-rolled coil and sheet, bars, rods, wire and tubes, to many finished goods in chapter 73 such as structures and fasteners. 200 CN codes in this sector carry a default value. To check one code, use the scope checker.
Typical default values and cost per tonne
Defaults are tCO2e per tonne of product for 2026, mark-up included, as medians across the origins with their own value. Cost is certificates per tonne after the free-allocation deduction, at the Q3 2026 price of €82.32, from the Q3 2026 cost index.
| Product | Default, tCO2e/t | Cost/t, median | Cost/t, range | Other countries |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hot-rolled flat steelCN 7208 · 32 origins | 2.66 | €109.54 | €6.90–€635.28 | €256.69 |
| RebarCN 7214 20 00 · 32 origins | 2.56 | €105.45 | €7.38–€635.77 | €252.37 |
Your figure depends on your exact code and origin. The country table below has every value; the calculator prices one line and the bulk calculator prices a whole import list.
What applies to steel importers
- Steel defaults count direct emissions only.
- Defaults carry a mark-up on top of the country average: 10% in 2026, 20% in 2027 and 30% from 2028.
- An importer whose CBAM goods total no more than 50 tonnes net mass in a calendar year is exempt. The 50 tonnes are cumulative across iron and steel, aluminium, cement and fertilisers, not per consignment.
- Certificates for 2026 imports go on sale from 1 February 2027 and are surrendered with the annual declaration by 30 September 2027.
The actual-emissions lever
The production route decides most of the gap. Blast-furnace steel and electric-arc-furnace steel on a clean grid are far apart, but the default does not credit the cleaner route. With verified actual data, the free-allocation benchmark also follows the mill's real route (BF-BOF, DRI-EAF or scrap-EAF), so check both sides before counting the saving.
To collect the figures, send the producer the supplier emissions questionnaire. How defaults and verified data compare is in CBAM default values explained, and the detail for this sector is in the full guide for steel importers.