CBAM Enters into Force Across the European Union from 1 January 2026
19 January 2026, Belgium: The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) successfully entered into force on 1 January 2026, following coordinated deployment across all EU Member States. The rollout integrated the CBAM Registry with National Customs Import Systems, Taric, and the EU Customs Single Window, enabling real-time data exchange, efficient validation of declarants, and uninterrupted import procedures at the EU’s external borders.
In line with the CBAM Regulation applicable from 1 January 2026, validation of CBAM authorisations for covered goods is now enforced by customs authorities prior to release for free circulation. This includes monitoring of the 50-tonne threshold, while provisions under the Omnibus package facilitate compliance for SME importers of CBAM goods.
The deployment of the definitive CBAM Registry and its integration with the new UCC MS Customs Import Operations highlight the readiness of the regulatory framework. The process demonstrates coordinated preparedness among the European Commission services, National Competent Authorities, National Customs Authorities, and economic operators, supported by integrated digital and customs solutions.
The implementation of CBAM from 1 January 2026 underlines the capacity of the European Union to deploy complex climate policy instruments while maintaining trade flows. The mechanism reinforces transparency, fairness, and climate ambition across global supply chains. National authorities have reported stable processing times, supported by harmonised digital workflows.
Key Operational Results
More than 12,000 economic operators submitted applications for CBAM authorisation by 7 January 2026. Over 4,100 economic operators obtained CBAM authorised declarant status across the EU prior to and immediately after 1 January 2026. Between 1 January and 7 January 2026, a total of 10,483 import customs declarations containing CBAM goods were validated automatically and in real time through integrated customs systems.
Trade Volumes Covered
CBAM imports declared during the first reporting window, from 1 to 6 January 2026, covered 1,655,613 tonnes of goods. Iron and steel accounted for 98 percent of the total CBAM-covered volumes, followed by fertilisers at 1.2 percent, cement at 0.5 percent, aluminium at 0.3 percent, while electricity and hydrogen recorded no volumes during this period.
Top Exporting Third Countries
The main countries of origin for CBAM-covered imports during the initial reporting period were Türkiye, China, India, Canada, Taiwan, and Vietnam.
Top Importing Member States
The highest volumes of CBAM declarations were recorded in Belgium, Spain, Romania, the Netherlands, France, and Germany
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