CBAM archive

CBAM transitional phase

The CBAM transitional phase was a pilot period from October 2023 to December 2025. 

On 1 October 2023, CBAM started its transitional phase, with the first reporting period for importers ending 31 January 2024. The gradual phasing-in of CBAM allows for a careful, predictable and proportionate transition for both EU and non-EU businesses, as well as public authorities. 

The objective of the transitional phase is to serve as a pilot and learning period for all stakeholders (importers, producers and authorities), and to collect useful information on embedded emissions to refine the methodology for the definitive period. 

CBAM will initially apply to imports of certain goods and selected precursors whose production is carbon-intensive and at the most significant risk of carbon leakage: cement, iron and steel, aluminium, fertilisers, electricity and hydrogen. With this enlarged scope, CBAM will eventually – when fully phased in – capture more than 50% of the emissions in sectors covered by the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS). 

CBAM Transitional Registry

The CBAM Transitional Registry was in use from October 2023 to December 2025. 

The CBAM Transitional Registry was an electronic platform for importers to perform and report on their obligations during the CBAM transitional phase from 2023 to 2025. The platform is accessible only to importers who have been duly registered by their National Competent Authorities (NCAs). If you have not yet registered and wish to access the registry, kindly reach out to the NCA of the EU country in which you are established. 

CBAM Transitional Registry 

See also: Recording of webinar on the CBAM Transitional Registry 

Archived documents 

Quarterly report 

The following files concerning quarterly reports can be downloaded. The .XSD file describes the full structure of the CBAM quarterly report, while the .ZIP file may be uploaded in the registry to automatically fill in the quarterly report’s data. CBAM declarants will also find them in the CBAM Transitional Registry User Manual. 

This XLS file can be used by CBAM declarants to facilitate completion of the CBAM quarterly reports using XML files. The XLS file indicates which are the optional/mandatory fields and provides the pre-defined values that are allowed for specific fields. 

See also: Course - quarterly report XML upload tutorial 

Self-assessment tool 

The Commission has developed a CBAM Self-Assessment Tool for Importers to the EU. 

The tool provides importers to the EU with the possibility to get a quick overview on whether the imported goods are subject to CBAM during the transitional period, what the CBAM reporting requirements for that particular type of good are, and where to find further information. 

CBAM archived documents

The following documents are outdated versions and are provided for reference purposes only. They may not reflect the rules currently applicable under the CBAM definitive regime.