Here’s What Importers Need to Know About CBAM:

Over the past weeks, many companies in Germany have received letters from the German Emissions Trading Authority (DEHSt). These notifications highlight obligations under the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), the new carbon reporting framework for goods imported into the European Union.

For many importers, the immediate questions are:

Why did we receive this letter? What exactly is required of us? And how can we meet these obligations without disrupting daily operations?

This article breaks down the essentials and explains how companies can efficiently address their CBAM duties.

Why You Received a DEHSt Letter

If the DEHSt contacted your company, you were likely identified as an importer of goods within the CBAM scope. These include:

• Iron and steel
• Aluminium
• Cement
• Fertilisers
• Hydrogen
• Electricity

This means your organisation is expected to comply with CBAM’s transitional reporting requirements, including quarterly submissions through the EU CBAM portal.

Your Key Obligations Under CBAM

1. Quarterly Reporting

Companies must submit CBAM reports no later than one month after the end of each quarter. These reports must include:

• Quantities of imported CBAM goods
• Embedded CO₂ emissions
• Any carbon price paid in the country of origin
• Details about suppliers and production sites

These data points help the EU establish accurate emissions baselines before financial adjustments begin in 2026.

2. Registration in the CBAM Portal

To submit reports, importers must activate their account in the EU transitional registry. This process involves:

• Registering through the German customs portal
• Linking the account to the EU CBAM register
• Submitting reports and documentation digitally

Without access to the portal, companies cannot fulfil their reporting obligations.

3. Consequences of Non-Compliance

The DEHSt letter typically warns of corrective actions and potential sanctions if reporting obligations are not met. These can include:

• Requests for corrections and late submissions
• Formal sanctions
• Monetary penalties
• From 2026 onwards: Import restrictions if no valid CBAM authorisation exists

How Companies Can Reduce the CBAM Compliance Burden

Many importers struggle because they do not yet have complete supplier data, emissions information, or documentation. At the same time, submission deadlines continue to apply.

This is where Artem supports companies with an automated, reliable approach to CBAM compliance.

With Artem, you can:

• Generate CBAM reports automatically
• Export XML files ready for upload to the EU register
• Onboard suppliers and verify emissions data
• Track all deadlines with built-in reminders
• Store and document all submissions securely
• Integrate data from existing systems

We also assist companies with initial portal registration, ensuring they can begin reporting without delays.

Just Received a DEHSt Letter? We Offer Immediate Support

If you’re unsure how to proceed, Artem provides rapid, practical assistance:

• Free initial assessment: We review your letter and outline the required steps.
• Portal setup support: We guide you through activating your CBAM access.
• Fast reporting: Generate your first CBAM reports in minutes with our platform.

Conclusion

Receiving a letter from the DEHSt is a clear signal that your company imports CBAM-covered goods and must now comply with the applicable reporting rules.

The good news: with the right tools and guidance, CBAM compliance can be handled efficiently, accurately, and with minimal internal effort.