What is CBAM, in plain language
CBAM — the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (Regulation (EU) 2023/956) — puts a carbon price on certain goods imported into the European Union. The price is based on the embedded emissions of each good: the CO₂ released while producing it, including the electricity it consumed for some sectors.
The legal obligation sits with the EU importer (the “declarant”), not with you as the Moroccan producer. But the importer can only file with data about your production — so in practice, CBAM lands on your desk as a data request from your buyer.
Transitional vs definitive
- Transitional period (October 2023 – end of 2025): importers filed quarterly reports about embedded emissions. No payment — a learning phase.
- Definitive regime (from 1 January 2026): importers buy and surrender CBAM certificates for the embedded emissions. The charge phases in gradually: 2.5 % of embedded emissions in 2026, rising every year to 100 % by 2034. The first annual CBAM declaration — covering 2026 imports — is due by 30 September 2027.
Why a Moroccan exporter should care
- Buyers compare suppliers on data readiness. A producer who can hand over a complete, verifiable emissions pack is easier — and cheaper — to buy from.
- When no producer data is available, the importer must fall back on official default values, which carry a mark-up that escalates year after year. Your real numbers are usually lower. See actual vs default values.
- Certificates cost real money. Lower declared emissions = fewer certificates = a more competitive landed price for your goods.
Start by checking whether your products are covered: Am I in scope? — or search your product directly in the CBAM Suite.