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Reference Guide

Complete Guide to CBAM HS Codes & Annex I Categories

Oct 5, 2025
20 min read
Reference

CBAM covers six product categories listed in Annex I of Regulation 2023/956. Understanding which HS codes fall under each category is essential for compliance. This guide provides a complete breakdown.

Important Note

HS code classification is the importer's legal responsibility. This guide is for reference only. Always verify with your customs broker or national customs authority.

Category 1: Iron & Steel

The largest CBAM category, covering raw materials through finished products:

Key HS Codes

72.01-72.29 - Iron and steel products

  • • Pig iron and spiegeleisen
  • • Ferro-alloys
  • • Iron/steel waste and scrap
  • • Iron/steel granules and powders
  • • Flat-rolled products
  • • Bars, rods, angles, shapes
  • • Wire, tubes, pipes

73.01-73.26 - Articles of iron/steel

  • • Structures and parts
  • • Tanks, casks, drums
  • • Containers for compressed gas
  • • Stranded wire, cables
  • • Nails, screws, bolts
  • • Springs and leaves

Category 2: Aluminium

Covers unwrought aluminium and aluminium articles with significant embedded emissions:

Key HS Codes

76.01-76.16 - Aluminium products

  • • 7601 - Unwrought aluminium
  • • 7603-7605 - Powders, flakes, bars, rods, profiles
  • • 7606-7607 - Plates, sheets, strips, foil
  • • 7608 - Aluminium tubes and pipes
  • • 7609-7616 - Fittings, structures, containers, cables

Category 3: Cement

One of the most carbon-intensive materials, cement production accounts for ~8% of global CO2 emissions:

Key HS Codes

25.23 - Portland cement and hydraulic cements

  • • 2523.10 - Cement clinkers
  • • 2523.21 - White Portland cement
  • • 2523.29 - Other Portland cement
  • • 2523.30 - Aluminous cement
  • • 2523.90 - Other hydraulic cements

Category 4: Fertilizers

Nitrogen-based fertilizers due to energy-intensive ammonia production:

Key HS Codes

28.08, 28.14, 31.02-31.05 - Fertilizer products

  • • 2808.00 - Nitric acid; sulphonitric acids
  • • 2814 - Ammonia
  • • 3102 - Mineral or chemical nitrogenous fertilizers
  • • 3105 - Mixed fertilizers (containing N, P, or K)

Category 5: Hydrogen

Added to support EU's hydrogen strategy and prevent carbon leakage in this emerging sector:

Key HS Code

28.04.10 - Hydrogen

Covers all forms of hydrogen regardless of production method (grey, blue, or green).

Category 6: Electricity

Covers imported electricity to address carbon leakage through power interconnectors:

Key HS Code

27.16 - Electrical energy

Imported via interconnectors from non-EU countries without equivalent carbon pricing.

Common Edge Cases

Included

  • Steel screws and bolts (73.18)
  • Aluminium window frames
  • Pre-cast concrete with cement
  • Steel-reinforced products

Excluded

  • Stainless steel kitchenware
  • Vehicles (even if steel/aluminium)
  • Machinery with steel components
  • Consumer electronics

Related Tool

Use the CBAM calculator to verify if your products fall under Annex I categories and estimate your compliance position.

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