On September 10, 2025, the European Parliament approved a simplification of the CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism) regulation. This mechanism requires importers to pay a levy from January 1, 2026, to compensate for CO2 emissions released during the production of iron, steel, aluminum, and cement, among others.

The approval of the new rules includes several important changes:

• Importers who annually import less than 50 tons of these products no longer need to prepare CBAM reports or purchase CBAM certificates. This significantly reduces the administrative burden for smaller flows.
• All indirect representatives must register with CBAM, even when they exclusively represent importers falling below this 50-ton threshold. Registration is possible via www.cbamtoelating.nl.

The simplification aims to improve CBAM’s feasibility without compromising its objective: creating a level playing field between European and non-European producers regarding CO2 costs.

Now that the European Parliament has approved, only the Council of the European Union (with representatives from member states) needs to agree. This decision is expected later this month.

At Van der Helm, we closely monitor these developments. This way, you’re always informed about changes affecting your import flows, and we ensure your logistics remain compliant with European regulations.