Since the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) entered its taxation phase on January 1, 2026, many goods have been held at EU ports due to customs clearance failures. Importers must now be registered as authorized CBAM declarants to bring covered goods into the EU.

Common clearance issues include: 1. lack of CBAM declarant status, 2. incorrect use of CBAM tariff codes, and 3. failure to submit required carbon emission data. Goods that do not meet CBAM rules are now being blocked during customs declaration.

CBAM has effectively become a trade access condition, not just an environmental reporting tool. Businesses must register CBAM accounts, accurately declare CBAM codes, monitor the 50-ton annual exemption threshold, and establish carbon data reporting systems.

Although importers bear the legal responsibility, exporters face the immediate risk of shipment delays and loss of buyer trust. For steel, aluminum, fasteners, and other metal industries, CBAM compliance is now essential for continued EU market access.