CBAM certificate price 2026: the official quarterly prices and how to use them

Updated 2026-11-10 · Data: default values v2 (6 Aug 2026) · benchmarks (6 Feb 2026) · certificate prices to Q3 2026

There is no single 2026 CBAM certificate price. The Commission publishes one per quarter, and each applies to goods imported in that quarter.

1. Published prices

Source: Commission page "Price of CBAM certificates", re-checked 10 Nov 2026. The Irish EPA lists the same prices.

2. Which goods each price applies to

Each 2026 quarterly price applies to certificates for goods imported into the EU in that quarter – not the invoice date, and not the day the declarant buys certificates in 2027.

One tonne of China-origin 7318 15 82 on default values (5.6826 certificates per tonne):

Q3 is about 9% above H1. Using Q3 for the whole year overstates H1 imports; weight by quarterly volume instead. The calculator lets you change the price and run each quarter.

3. How the price is set

Under Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2548, each 2026 quarterly price is the weighted average of auction clearing prices of EU ETS allowances in that quarter, calculated in the first calendar week after the quarter ends. From 2027 prices are weekly.

4. Who pays, and when

• 2026: goods are imported; the liability accrues.
• From February 2027: authorised CBAM declarants buy certificates on the common central platform.
• By 30 September 2027: the 2026 annual declaration is submitted and certificates surrendered.

The EU importer buys the certificates, but the cost ends up in price negotiations with the supplier.

5. Carbon price paid at origin

The formula ends with "minus carbon price effectively paid in the country of origin". Only an amount actually paid and evidenced can be deducted; our examples use zero.