What is CBAM and who does it affect?

EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism taxes carbon-intensive imports like steel and cement to level the green playing field—hits non-EU exporters and European importers/forwarders first.

How much does a CBAM certificate cost right now?

$435 per metric ton CO2 equivalent as of the first auction—expect rises with demand.

Can forwarders price CBAM costs for clients yet?

Most can't—80% lack tools, per surveys, risking inaccurate quotes and supply chain snarls.

🌍 Global Trade & Tariffs

CBAM Live 3 Months: 80% Forwarders Can't Price Client Costs

Three months in, the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism has a price tag—but forwarders are blind. This gap? It's costing importers big.

Supply Chain Beat Apr 16, 2026 4 min read

EU CBAM carbon certificate pricing chart with forwarder crisis icons

⚡ Key Takeaways

CBAM's first certificate: $435/ton, exposing pricing gaps in 80% of forwarders. 𝕏
GCMD-banks financing targets ship retrofits amid IMO delays. 𝕏
Bold prediction: CBAM SaaS tools seize 40% forwarder market by 2025. 𝕏