CBAM default values for Indian steel: what to expect
What the current corrected CBAM default values mean for EU importers of Indian steel — and why collecting actuals is almost always worth it.
Published 19/10/2026 · Facts checked on 2026-10-18
Answer box
Default values for Indian steel under CBAM are set at the high end versus a verified mill-specific value. India’s steel sector mixes BF-BOF (coal-heavy) and EAF (electric) routes, and the aggregated goods category defaults don’t distinguish well between them. For importers, this means actuals from an EAF-route Indian mill will typically beat the default + mark-up by a meaningful margin.
Why the Indian default is high
- BF-BOF share. The default per-country table reflects the mix of routes in that country. India’s installed capacity still skews toward BF-BOF with high coal intensity, which pulls the aggregate up.
- Sintered-ore precursor. BF-BOF route steel carries sinter-plant indirect emissions — large and often grid-powered on coal.
- Mark-up compounding. +10 %, +20 %, +30 % on an already high base.
What EAF Indian mills can show
- Steel produced predominantly from scrap or DRI.
- Direct emissions dominated by on-site natural gas or electricity (the latter not counted for CBAM steel direct scope).
- Often significantly below the aggregate default.
What CBAMWorks does
For every Indian steel supplier an importer adds, the dashboard shows:
- Default + current year mark-up for the CN code × origin.
- Supplier calculated actual (unverified until a verifier signs off).
- Estimated gap per tonne, labelled “estimate” per our honesty rule.
That gap is the lever to decide where paying for a verifier is worth it.