CBAM CN Code Lookup: Find Out If Your Product Is Covered
Enter an 8-digit CN code or describe your product in plain English to instantly check EU CBAM coverage, see the default emission values for your country, and verify your de minimis position.
What Is a CN Code and Why Does It Matter for CBAM?
A CN code — Combined Nomenclature code — is the 8-digit tariff classification number that appears on every EU customs declaration. Every physical good crossing an EU border is assigned a CN code, and that code determines the customs duty rate, trade statistics category, and, from 2026, whether the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) applies.
CBAM was introduced by Regulation (EU) 2023/956 to put a carbon price on imports of carbon-intensive goods from countries without equivalent carbon pricing. The regulation specifies exactly which CN codes are in scope in Annex I. If your product's CN code is not listed there, it is outside CBAM — even if it is made of a covered material.
Finding the right CN code is not always straightforward. The Combined Nomenclature contains over 9,000 8-digit codes, and a single product can sometimes be classified under two or three different headings depending on its exact specification, processing state, or primary use. This tool covers all ~250 Annex I codes across the six CBAM sectors so you can check in seconds.
The 6 CBAM Sectors and Their Key CN Code Ranges
As of the 2026 Combined Nomenclature, CBAM covers six product sectors. Each sector maps to specific chapters and headings of the CN:
| Sector | CN Chapters / Headings | Emissions scope | Approximate codes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iron and Steel | 72, 73 (selected headings) | Direct only | ~180 codes |
| Cement | 2523 (clinkers + cement types) + 2507 | Direct + indirect | 6 codes |
| Aluminium | 76 (selected headings) | Direct only | ~30 codes |
| Fertilizers | 2808, 2814, 2834, 3102, 3105 (excl. 3105 60) | Direct + indirect | ~18 codes |
| Electricity | 2716 00 00 | Direct only | 1 code |
| Hydrogen | 2804 10 00 | Direct only | 1 code |
What Happens If Your CN Code Is Covered?
If your product falls under a covered CN code, CBAM obligations apply from 1 January 2026. Here is what that means in practice:
- You must report embedded emissions for each shipment — either actual verified emissions from your supplier, or the published default values from IR 2025/2621 Annex I.
- You must purchase CBAM certificates to cover those emissions. In 2026, you need certificates covering 2.5% of embedded emissions. This rises each year to 100% in 2034.
- The 50-tonne de minimis rule (introduced by the 2025 Omnibus amendment) means that if your total annual CBAM imports across all sectors are 50 tonnes or less, you are exempt. This is an aggregate threshold across all your CBAM goods, not a per-product limit.
- Default values carry a punitive mark-up: 10% above the base factor in 2026, 20% in 2027, and 30% from 2028 onwards. Suppliers who provide verified actual emissions data can help you avoid this mark-up and reduce your certificate obligation.
How to Read Your CN Code
CN codes are structured hierarchically. The first two digits identify the chapter (e.g., 72 = Iron and steel). Digits 3–4 form the 4-digit heading (e.g., 7208 = flat-rolled products). Digits 5–6 are the subheading, and digits 7–8 are the further subdivision. On customs documents, CN codes are typically written with spaces: 7208 51 20.
When using this tool, you can enter the code in any format — with spaces, dots, or no separator — and it will be normalised automatically. You can also enter just 4 or 6 digits to see all matching 8-digit codes under that heading.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a CN code in the context of CBAM?
A CN code (Combined Nomenclature code) is an 8-digit tariff classification number used in EU customs declarations. CBAM uses CN codes to identify which goods are subject to the carbon border adjustment. Only goods with CN codes listed in Annex I of Regulation (EU) 2023/956 are covered.
Which CN codes are covered by CBAM?
CBAM covers approximately 250 CN codes across six sectors: iron and steel (chapters 72–73), cement (chapter 25), aluminium (chapter 76), fertilizers (chapters 28 and 31), electricity (2716 00 00), and hydrogen (2804 10 00). The full list is in Annex I of Regulation (EU) 2023/956.
What is the CBAM de minimis threshold?
Under Regulation (EU) 2025/2083 (the Omnibus amendment), importers whose total annual CBAM-covered imports across all sectors are 50 tonnes or less are exempt. This is an annual, cross-sector threshold — it applies to your total CBAM imports, not per product.
What are CBAM default emission values?
Default emission values are published in Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2621 Annex I. They represent the assumed embedded emissions per tonne for each country and production route. A punitive mark-up applies: 10% in 2026, 20% in 2027, 30% from 2028. Importers can avoid the mark-up by submitting verified actual emissions data from their supplier.
When does CBAM become mandatory?
The CBAM definitive phase starts 1 January 2026. From that date, importers must purchase CBAM certificates to cover their goods' embedded emissions. The obligation phases in gradually from 2.5% coverage in 2026 to 100% in 2034.