France · 2026 CBAM Definitive Period

CBAM compliance for aluminium importers in France

French SME importers of steel, aluminium and cement face the same 1 January 2026 authorisation deadline as their larger competitors. Carbon Border generates the DGEC-ready application, collects verified supplier emissions, and procures certificates each quarter. This page focuses on aluminium shipments through Le Havre, Fos-sur-Mer, Dunkerque.

Who needs to register

Any importer established in France whose cumulative annual imports of CBAM-scope goods exceed 50 tonnes across all EORIs. Below the threshold, voluntary registration is strongly recommended — the ETS certificate price rises 15%+ per year through 2034, and unregistered importers face a €50/tCO₂ non-compliance penalty on top of the base liability.

Competent Authority
Direction générale de l'énergie et du climat (DGEC)

Carbon Border generates every field on the Direction générale de l'énergie et du climat application; you review, sign, and submit.

Top HS codes for aluminium imports through France

HS codeCategoryDefault intensity (tCO₂/t)2026 liability / 100 t
7601Aluminium6.80€61,991
7604Aluminium7.00€63,814
7606Aluminium7.20€65,637
7607Aluminium7.40€67,460
7608Aluminium7.00€63,814

Figures use the EU 2026 default intensity + 10% markup at €85/tCO₂ × 97.5% phase-in factor. Verified supplier data drops the markup to zero — usually a 15-25% saving.

Worked example

An importer shipping 100 tonnes of HS 7601 (Aluminium) into France in 2026 would owe:

Emissions
748.0 tCO₂
ETS price
85.00/t
Phase-in
97.5%
Liability
€61,991
NCA application pack in 30 minutes
Supplier emissions portal (drops the 10% markup)
Quarterly certificate procurement via EU CCP

Ready to get authorised in France?

€1,499 one-time application pack + €299/mo compliance engine. Cancel anytime.