CBAM for screws, bolts and steel fasteners

Fastener makers are often surprised to find their products inside CBAM. Here's what applies and how to prepare the numbers.

Reviewed by the Carbon Passport compliance team, Singapore. Updated and checked against official EU sources on 28 September 2026. Rules change often; we update this page when they do.

Quick answer

Many steel screws, bolts and nuts under CN 7318 are CBAM goods. Only direct emissions count, so electricity for cold forging is excluded. The wire rod or bar you buy is a precursor and usually makes up most of the figure, so get your steel supplier's CBAM data.

Are fasteners in scope?

Yes, many are. CBAM covers iron and steel goods listed by CN code, and this includes a range of downstream products such as screws, bolts, nuts and washers under heading 7318. The European Commission even publishes a filled example of the communication template for screws and nuts. Check the exact CN code your buyer declares your goods under.

What counts: direct emissions only

Most iron and steel goods are listed in Annex II of the CBAM Regulation, meaning only direct emissions are counted in the definitive period. For a fastener plant, direct emissions usually come from fuel used in heat treatment, annealing and any furnaces on site. Electricity for cold heading, threading and presses isn't part of the CBAM figure, though templates may still ask for electricity use.

The precursor is the big number

Most fastener makers buy wire rod or bar rather than making steel. That steel is a precursor, and its embedded emissions are added to yours. For a typical cold-forging plant, the precursor accounts for most of the total, so the quality of your steel supplier's data matters most.

  • If your wire rod supplier can provide its own verified CBAM data, use it.
  • If not, the EU default value for that steel product and country of origin applies, including the mark-up.
  • Record every purchase with the supplier, mill, country of origin and tonnes.

Yield and scrap

Fastener production creates offcuts and rejects. Your calculation divides total embedded emissions by the tonnes of finished product, so poor yield raises the figure per tonne. Keep good records of steel input, finished output and scrap sold, so a verifier can follow the mass balance.

What your buyer will ask for

  1. Specific embedded emissions per tonne for each fastener CN code you ship.
  2. The steel precursors used, with country of origin and their emissions.
  3. The production route and processes at your plant.
  4. Whether the figures are actual and verified, or based on default values.

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Frequently asked questions

Are screws and bolts covered by CBAM?

Many are. Iron and steel screws, bolts, nuts and similar goods under CN heading 7318 are CBAM goods. Check the exact code your buyer uses.

Do I include electricity for cold forging?

Not in the CBAM figure. Most iron and steel goods count direct emissions only in the definitive period, although your buyer's template may still ask for electricity use.

What if my wire rod supplier has no CBAM data?

Default values for that steel precursor and its country of origin apply. Asking your supplier for data early is usually the best way to lower your figure.

Sources

This guide explains the rules in plain language. It isn't legal advice; see our disclaimer. Always check the current official texts and your buyer's instructions.

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