CBAM Aluminium Default Values: 12.40 tCO2/t Primary, 5.00 tCO2/t Re-Melt
CBAM default values for aluminium are the highest in the entire CBAM regulation. The default for primary aluminium under CN code 7601 is 12.40 tCO2e per tonne — set at the 90th percentile of global production weighted toward coal-grid smelters. At the current EU ETS price band, that default carries a CBAM cost of approximately EUR 806 per tonne of aluminium imported into the EU. For non-EU exporters with lower-emission smelting routes, the saving from verified actuals is the largest in CBAM.
CBAM Aluminium Default Values by CN Code
| CN code | Description | Default value (tCO2e/t) |
|---|---|---|
| 7601 | Unwrought aluminium (primary and alloyed) | 12.40 |
| 7603 | Aluminium powders and flakes | derived from 7601 + processing |
| 7604 | Aluminium bars, rods, profiles | derived from 7601 + processing |
| 7605 | Aluminium wire | derived from 7601 + processing |
| 7606 / 7607 | Aluminium plates, sheets, foil | derived from 7601 + processing |
| 7608 | Aluminium tubes and pipes | derived from 7601 + processing |
| 7609 / 7610 / 7611–7616 | Aluminium structures, containers, downstream goods | derived from precursors |
Downstream products carry the embedded emissions of the unwrought aluminium they are made from, plus any additional process emissions from rolling, extrusion, casting, etc.
What CBAM Aluminium Default Values Cost
Cost per tonne of primary aluminium imported under the 12.40 default:
| ETS price (EUR/tCO2) | CBAM cost per tonne of aluminium at 12.40 default |
|---|---|
| EUR 50 | EUR 620 |
| EUR 65 | EUR 806 |
| EUR 80 | EUR 992 |
| EUR 100 | EUR 1,240 |
This is the highest per-tonne CBAM cost of any covered sector. For a smelter producing 500,000 tonnes per year, the difference between defaults and verified hydro-powered actuals can exceed EUR 380 million annually at current ETS prices.
Why the Aluminium Default is So High
The 12.40 tCO2e/t default reflects the global aluminium production weighted average — and the global average is dominated by Chinese coal-powered smelters which produce the majority of world primary aluminium at very high embedded emissions (15–18 tCO2e/t). The EU's 90th-percentile methodology pulls the default up to 12.40 to capture this distribution.
For producers operating outside that high-emissions cluster — UAE (gas grid), Mozambique (Mozal hydro), Iceland (geothermal/hydro), Norway (hydro), Canadian smelters (hydro/nuclear) — the default is dramatically punitive relative to actuals. See the calculation guide for how to compute your actual.
Replacing the Default with Verified Actuals
The path is the same as for steel:
- Calculate per Annex III methodology including indirect electricity emissions. See the CBAM aluminium calculation guide.
- Verify with an ISO 14065 accredited body. See the accredited verifiers list.
- Store the verified record with a durable URL the EU buyer cites in their declaration. Store your record.
For aluminium, this is the highest-leverage CBAM intervention available. The economics are unambiguous.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the CBAM default value for primary aluminium?
12.40 tCO2e per tonne for unwrought aluminium under CN code 7601. Downstream products carry this embedded value plus any additional processing emissions.
What does the 12.40 default cost in EUR per tonne?
At the current EU ETS price band (~EUR 65/tCO2), approximately EUR 806 per tonne of aluminium imported. At EUR 100/tCO2, the cost rises to EUR 1,240 per tonne.
Why is the aluminium default so much higher than the steel default?
CBAM defaults are set at the 90th percentile of global production. Global aluminium production is dominated by Chinese coal-powered smelters at 15–18 tCO2e/t, which pulls the global default up to 12.40. Steel production is more globally distributed across routes, giving a lower default of 2.18.
Can a hydro-powered smelter realistically reach below 2 tCO2e/t actuals?
Yes. Hydro-powered smelters in Iceland, Norway, parts of Canada, and the Mozal facility in Mozambique routinely document actuals in the 1.5–2.5 tCO2e/t range. The saving versus the 12.40 default is approximately EUR 645–712 per tonne at current ETS prices.
Are there separate defaults for re-melt and secondary aluminium?
Re-melt aluminium (secondary, from scrap) operates under a different effective default reflecting the much lower process emissions. Producers should refer to the current Implementing Regulation 2023/1773 Annex III for the specific value applicable to their CN code and process route.
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