CBAM compliance for steel 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 steel 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.
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 steel imports through France
| HS code | Category | Default intensity (tCO₂/t) | 2026 liability / 100 t |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7208 | Iron & Steel | 2.40 | €21,879 |
| 7210 | Iron & Steel | 2.50 | €22,791 |
| 7213 | Iron & Steel | 2.00 | €18,233 |
| 7214 | Iron & Steel | 2.00 | €18,233 |
| 7216 | Iron & Steel | 2.30 | €20,967 |
| 7304 | Iron & Steel | 2.60 | €23,702 |
| 7306 | Iron & Steel | 2.50 | €22,791 |
| 7308 | Iron & Steel | 2.30 | €20,967 |
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 7208 (Iron & Steel) into France in 2026 would owe:
Ready to get authorised in France?
€1,499 one-time application pack + €299/mo compliance engine. Cancel anytime.