How to provide CBAM data to an EU importer?

Non-EU suppliers must provide their EU importers with emissions data formatted specifically for the CBAM Transitional Registry. Carbon Mandate provides an expert-led service that takes your raw facility data, checks the methodology via human specialists, and generates the exact XML file your importer requires to clear customs.

What is the CBAM XML format generator for iron and steel?

The EU Commission requires CBAM data in a strict XML format. Rather than relying on automated software that can misinterpret heavy industry metrics, Carbon Mandate prepares registry-ready XML files for Iron, Steel, Aluminium, and Cement exporters through an expert-led, human-in-the-loop pipeline.

An EU importer is requesting CBAM data, what do I do?

Do not risk registry rejection with generic software. Upload your existing domestic certificates or raw facility data to Carbon Mandate for a diagnostic scan. We will map your data to the required CN codes and prepare the exact XML deliverable your EU buyer needs.

CBAM — ALUMINIUM EXPORTERS

Smelter-traced CBAM
for aluminium exporters

Primary and secondary aluminium — grid-weighted indirect emissions declared and validated against the live XSD.

Book a Demo Validate a File

Reg (EU) 2023/956 · IR (EU) 2025/2620 Annex II · XSD v2.1

12.4tCO₂e/t

DEFAULT EF — PRIMARY AL

Annex II · IR 2025/2620

0.6tCO₂e/t

DEFAULT EF — SECONDARY AL

Recycled / scrap-based · Scope 1+2

€75.36/tCO₂e

ETS REFERENCE PRICE

Q1 2026 · Phase-in 2.5%

30 Sep2027

SURRENDER DEADLINE

First annual CBAM declaration

CN CODES IN SCOPE — CHAPTER 76

ANNEX I

7601Unwrought aluminium (primary and secondary)

7603Aluminium powders and flakes

7604Aluminium bars, rods and profiles

7605Aluminium wire

7606–7607Plates, sheets, strip and foil

7608–7616Tubes, pipes, structures and other articles

Annex I to Reg (EU) 2023/956 as amended. Precursors: unwrought primary aluminium, calcined petroleum coke, anode-grade alumina where emissions-bearing.

PRODUCTION ROUTE — EMBEDDED EMISSIONS SPREAD

PRIMARY — ELECTROLYSISHall–Héroult · grid-dependent

Embedded emissionshighest

PRIMARY + PARTIAL SCRAPblended charge · mixed basis

Embedded emissionsmid-range

SECONDARY — RECYCLEDscrap remelting · low process emissions

Embedded emissionslowest*

* Secondary aluminium embedded emissions depend on scrap source and the carbon intensity of the origin grid powering the remelting furnace.

WHAT THE XML MUST CONTAIN

INSTALLATION DATA

Installation ID
Production route
Primary or secondary designation
Country of origin
Reporting period

GOODS DATA

CN code
Net mass (tonnes)
Alloy designation where applicable
Unit of measure
Production method code

EMISSIONS DATA

Direct emissions (Scope 1)
Indirect emissions from electricity
Specific embedded emissions per tonne
tCO₂e total

CARBON PRICE PAID

Carbon price paid in country of origin
Deduction amount
Rebates applied
Currency

INGESTION

Upload anything

PDFs, spreadsheets, mill certificates — we extract the MRV data.

VALIDATION

Catch errors early

Schema and emissions checks before your importer ever sees the file.

HANDOVER

Ready to submit

Encrypted XML delivered to your nominated EU recipient.

FAQ

Common questions from non-EU exporters.

Does the default emission factor differ for primary versus secondary aluminium?Yes. IR (EU) 2025/2620 Annex II publishes separate default values. Primary aluminium produced via the Hall-Héroult electrolysis process carries substantially higher embedded emissions — principally from electricity — than secondary aluminium produced from recycled scrap. Carbon Mandate applies the correct default automatically based on your declared production route.

Yes. IR (EU) 2025/2620 Annex II publishes separate default values. Primary aluminium produced via the Hall-Héroult electrolysis process carries substantially higher embedded emissions — principally from electricity — than secondary aluminium produced from recycled scrap. Carbon Mandate applies the correct default automatically based on your declared production route.

How are indirect emissions from electricity handled in the XML?CBAM requires both direct (Scope 1) and indirect (Scope 2 electricity) emissions for aluminium. If you use actual electricity consumption data with a verified grid emission factor, those values populate the XML. If not, the Annex II default includes a combined direct and indirect value — you declare which basis applies.

CBAM requires both direct (Scope 1) and indirect (Scope 2 electricity) emissions for aluminium. If you use actual electricity consumption data with a verified grid emission factor, those values populate the XML. If not, the Annex II default includes a combined direct and indirect value — you declare which basis applies.

My importer is asking for an XML — what format does the EU Registry actually accept?The EU Registry accepts CBAM XML conforming to the DG TAXUD XSD schema. A PDF report or spreadsheet is not an accepted submission format. Carbon Mandate produces a file that validates against the live XSD before transmission so your importer receives an EU-Registry-ready file, not a communication template.

The EU Registry accepts CBAM XML conforming to the DG TAXUD XSD schema. A PDF report or spreadsheet is not an accepted submission format. Carbon Mandate produces a file that validates against the live XSD before transmission so your importer receives an EU-Registry-ready file, not a communication template.

Live demonstration

See the XML engine validate a real file — in 20 minutes

No slides. No sales pitch. We open a live CBAM file from your sector, run it through the XSD validator, and show you exactly what the EU Registry receives.

Real file, your sectorXSD validation liveNo commitment

20 min session

Book a demo See how it works

Smelter-traced CBAMfor aluminium exporters