Post-CBAM Month One: Aluminum Premiums Rise Amid Strict Customs Audits

The first full month of comprehensive Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) enforcement has sent ripples through the European metals market. Throughout January 2026, customs authorities across major EU ports implemented rigorous documentation checks, leading to a temporary slowdown in clearing non-EU primary aluminum and steel shipments. Importers who failed to provide fully verified, direct emissions data from their suppliers faced immediate holds.

As a direct consequence, the European duty-paid aluminum premium in Rotterdam increased by 6.5% in early February, reaching $320 per tonne over the London Metal Exchange (LME) cash price. This rise reflects both the added administrative compliance costs and a structural pivot toward low-carbon aluminum producers. Demand for certified "green" aluminum (producing less than 4 tonnes of CO2 per tonne of metal) has surged by 12% year-on-year, creating a distinct two-tier pricing system in Europe.

GranTi’s compliance team notes that the transition has penalized unhedged traders. With the average cost of CBAM carbon certificates hovering around €85 per tonne in early February, companies must immediately restructure their purchasing portfolios. Relying on suppliers without transparent carbon accounting is no longer financially viable for European operations.