CBAM Full Enforcement Commences: A New Compliance Era for EU Metal and Mineral Importers

January 1, 2026, marked the official end of the transitional phase for the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). European importers of aluminum, iron, steel, and specific mineral derivatives must now purchase CBAM certificates to cover the embedded carbon emissions of their imported goods. The era of using unverified default emissions values has ended, shifting the financial and administrative burden entirely onto compliance frameworks.

The price of CBAM certificates, pegged to the weekly average auction prices of EU ETS allowances, opened the year at approximately €82 per tonne of CO2 equivalent. Early January data indicates that non-compliant shipments at Mediterranean ports face administrative delays of up to 10 days as customs authorities strictly verify the accredited documentation of non-EU producers.

For CRM supply chains, this means that the choice of sourcing partners is now directly linked to their carbon efficiency. GranTi has fully upgraded its tracking systems to provide verified emissions auditing for our partners. Navigating this new regulatory landscape requires immediate integration of certified data into customs declarations to prevent both border delays and the severe financial penalties scheduled for enforcement later this quarter.