CBAM default values for CN 7203: Direct reduced iron (DRI/HBI) and other spongy ferrous products
These are the official EU default values (specific embedded emissions, tCO₂e per tonne of product) for every CN code under heading 7203, by country of origin — 8 countries, as published in Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2621 and corrected by Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1740 (retroactive to 1 January 2026). Importers use them whenever verified installation data is not available.
- Sector: Iron & steel. Only direct emissions count (Annex II goods); indirect emissions are reported, not charged.
- Mark-up on default values: 10% in 2026, 20% in 2027, 30% from 2028 — added to the values below when you declare on defaults.
- Free allocation: for 2026 you surrender certificates for embedded emissions minus the CBAM benchmark × 97.5% (Art. 31, Reg (EU) 2023/956; Reg (EU) 2025/2620). The benchmark follows the production route shown in the table.
What 2026 costs on CN 7203: worked examples
1,000 tonnes of CN 7203 (Ferrous products obtained by direct reduction of iron ore and other spongy ferrous products, in lumps, pellets or similar forms; iron having a minimum purity by weight of 99,94%, in lumps, pellets or), on the official default value with the 10% mark-up, at the published certificate price of €82.32/tCO₂e. You surrender is the 2026 obligation after the free allocation adjustment; full exposure is the same shipment once free allocation has gone (2034).
| Origin | SEE used (t/t) | Embedded tCO₂e | You surrender for 2026 | Full exposure | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | 4.62 | 4,620 | €348,454 | €380,318 | Check yours → |
Default values by CN code and country
Values in tCO₂e per tonne, before the mark-up. “Route” is the production route behind the default, which decides the benchmark used for free allocation.
CN 7203 — Ferrous products obtained by direct reduction of iron ore and other spongy ferrous products, in lumps, pellets or similar forms; iron having a minimum purity by weight of 99,94%, in lumps, pellets or
| Country of origin | Direct | Default value | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Algeria | 0.81 | 0.81 | |
| Argentina | 1.03 | 1.03 | |
| Canada | 0.76 | 0.76 | |
| India | 4.2 | 4.2 | |
| Mexico | 0.58 | 0.58 | |
| Russia | 2.01 | 2.01 | |
| South Africa | 0.76 | 0.76 | |
| United States | 0.45 | 0.45 | |
| All other countries and territories | 1.325 | 1.325 | |
| Unknown origin (Annex IV, highest value) | – | 4.2 |
Questions about CN 7203
What is the CBAM default value for CN 7203 from India?
The official EU default value for CN 7203 (Ferrous products obtained by direct reduction of iron ore and other spongy ferrous products, in lumps, pellets or similar forms; iron having a minimum purity by weight of 99,94%, in lumps, pellets or) from India is 4.2 tCO2e per tonne before the mark-up; with the 10.0% mark-up for 2026 it is 4.62 tCO2e per tonne. On 1,000 t that is about €348,454 of 2026 certificates to surrender at the published price (€82.32/t).
Which emissions count for CN 7203 under CBAM?
Only direct emissions count for iron & steel goods (Annex II of Regulation (EU) 2023/956): indirect emissions from electricity are reported but not charged.
How much mark-up is added to the CBAM default values for CN 7203?
The default value carries a regulatory mark-up of 10% in 2026, 20% in 2027 and 30% from 2028 (Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2621). Verified actual emissions from the installation replace the default and carry no mark-up.
How do I use actual emissions instead of the default value for CN 7203?
Ask the producing installation for its specific embedded emissions, calculated under the EU method and checked by an accredited CBAM verifier. Until then the default value for the country of origin applies.
Replace the default with verified data
Default values are a conservative fallback, not a measurement of any plant. Verified actual emissions from your supplier's installation remove the mark-up and usually lower the bill. CBAM Compliance invites your suppliers in their language, computes their figure with the official method, and produces registry-ready QReport XML. See your full exposure or read how default values work.