HMRC has published default emissions values for goods covered by the UK Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, giving importers a reference point ahead of the levy starting on January 1, 2027. The benchmarks cover selected products in aluminium, cement, fertiliser, hydrogen, and iron and steel. Importers can use these values in CBAM returns when verified actual emissions data is not available. The default values were released on October 16 alongside government guidance on how businesses should apply them. The UK CBAM is designed to address carbon leakage by charging for emissions embedded in covered imports, with adjustments for relevant carbon pricing already paid. The approach mirrors the EU CBAM in broad terms, though the UK is running its own scheme. For importers and suppliers, the publication is a practical step toward compliance. Companies should now determine which goods fall within scope, assess whether their supply chains can provide verified emissions data, and model the potential cost impact of using the default values.
