Regulation (EU) 2023/956 covers five sectors. Every South African exporter in these industries must understand their CBAM exposure before the 30 September 2027 deadline.
South Africa's largest CBAM exposure. Ferrochrome production (40% of global supply), pig iron, and hot-rolled coil all fall within scope. Samancor Chrome, Hernic Ferrochrome, Merafe Resources, and ArcelorMittal SA face significant compliance obligations.
CN Codes
7201, 7202, 7206-7229
SA Export Value
~€1.2B
Default emission (2026)
2.18
tCO₂/tonne
10,000t at €65/t ETS
€1,426,156
Hillside and Bayside smelters face the highest CBAM cost-per-tonne of any SA sector due to Eskom's coal-heavy grid. SA aluminium's embedded carbon intensity is significantly above EU-produced aluminium.
CN Codes
7601, 7604, 7606, 7607
SA Export Value
~€800M
Default emission (2026)
12.4
tCO₂/tonne
10,000t at €65/t ETS
€8,112,080
Sasol's chemical operations, Omnia Holdings, and Foskor have meaningful EU export exposure. The Haber-Bosch process for ammonia and urea production is highly energy-intensive and carbon-emitting.
CN Codes
2814, 2808, 3102, 3105
SA Export Value
~€300M
Default emission (2026)
2.85
tCO₂/tonne
10,000t at €65/t ETS
€1,864,470
PPC, AfriSam, and Lafarge SA have exposure through construction export projects. Calcination process emissions — CO2 released when limestone is heated — are directly in CBAM scope.
CN Codes
2523
SA Export Value
~€150M
Default emission (2026)
0.87
tCO₂/tonne
10,000t at €65/t ETS
€569,154
South Africa's emerging green hydrogen sector represents a significant CBAM opportunity. Green hydrogen produced with renewable electricity carries near-zero embedded emissions vs grey hydrogen's 10.9 tCO2/t default.
CN Codes
2804 10
SA Export Value
Emerging
Default emission (2026)
10.9
tCO₂/tonne
10,000t at €65/t ETS
€7,130,780