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Navigate Dual Carbon Border Regulations with Confidence

While others approach CBAM primarily through an environmental lens, we recognise it for what it truly is—a sophisticated trade mechanism with customs and compliance at its core. As UK metal exporters face the double hurdle of EU reporting requirements now and UK regulations in 2027, our approach draws on a different set of strengths. Since 2014, Hooper & Co has mastered the intricacies of international trade, customs procedures, and cross-border logistics.

This foundation gives us a distinctive perspective on CBAM compliance, where understanding the movement of goods is just as crucial as calculating their carbon footprint. By combining our extensive experience navigating recent international trade complexities with targeted carbon expertise, we help your iron, steel, or aluminium business maintain market access without disruption. When trade regulations evolve, so do we—and we bring our clients along with us.

Affected Goods Overview

Iron and Steel Products

  • Unwrought iron and steel products (excluding specified ferro-alloys and scrap)
  • Tubes, pipes and hollow profiles
  • Railway and tramway track construction materials
  • Sheet piling, angles, shapes and sections
  • Bars, rods and profiles
  • Flat-rolled products
  • Steel wire
  • Steel fasteners (CN code 7318 – screws, bolts, nuts, etc.)
  • Other articles of iron or steel (CN code 7326)

Aluminium Products

  • Unwrought aluminium
  • Aluminium powders and flakes
  • Aluminium bars, rods and profiles
  • Aluminium wire
  • Aluminium plates, sheets and strips
  • Aluminium foil
  • Aluminium tubes and pipes
  • Aluminium structures and parts
  • Aluminium containers and articles
Are you dealing with movement of any of the above and struggling with new regulations?
Email us now!

Key Dates & Deadlines

Dual CBAM Timeline for UK Metal Exporters

EU CBAM (Current)

Now through December 2025
Transitional reporting period (quarterly reports, no financial obligations)
Quarterly reporting deadlines
January 31, April 30, July 31, October 31
NEW - January 2025
CBAM Registry portal now open for UK operators to directly register installations and share emissions data with EU importers
By December 2025
Applications for "authorised CBAM declarant" status must be submitted by EU importers

January 1, 2026: Full implementation with financial obligations begins

May 31, 2027: First deadline for surrendering CBAM certificates (covering 2026 imports)

2026-2034: Gradual phase-out of EU ETS free allowances, mirrored by increasing CBAM obligations

UK CBAM (Upcoming)

January 1, 2027: UK CBAM implementation begins
Initial sectors: Aluminium, cement, fertilisers, hydrogen, iron and steel (excludes electricity)

Registration threshold: £50,000 of CBAM goods over a rolling 12-month period (higher than EU threshold)
First reporting period: 12-month period with returns due May 31, 2028

Emissions coverage: Direct, indirect, and precursor emissions
Later periods: Plans to transition to quarterly returns

How Hooper & Co can Help

Your Dual-System CBAM Compliance Partner

EU & UK CBAM Navigation

  • Assessment of your immediate EU CBAM obligations
  • Strategic planning for the upcoming UK CBAM implementation
  • Cross-border supply chain analysis to optimise dual-system compliance
  • Guidance on establishing emissions tracking that satisfies both regimes

Emissions Assessment & Calculation

  • Evaluation of production processes to identify carbon emission sources
  • Calculation of direct, indirect, and precursor emissions following the EU methodology
  • Development of company-specific carbon tracking systems compatible with both regimes
  • Assistance with emissions verification through IAF-accredited bodies

Documentation & Reporting Support

  • Preparation of emissions documentation for your EU customers
  • Assistance with direct registration in the EU CBAM Registry (now available for UK operators)
  • Guidance on evidencing carbon prices paid in the UK for future deductions
  • Customs and logistics advisory for seamless CBAM compliance

Strategic Planning

  • Analysis of dual CBAM financial impact on your products
  • Development of carbon reduction strategies to maintain competitiveness
  • Preparation for verification requirements
  • Audit readiness services to ensure compliance is documentable

Stay compliant and avoid
unnecessary fees, charges and delays.

Get in touch with our experienced team to find out how to proceed with your international business.

Contact us

Blog

Hooper & Co launches dedicated CBAM service for businesses

A Midlands-based trade consultancy has launched a specialist service to help UK manufacturers comply with new EU and UK carbon reporting rules amid mounting pressure on firms. Hooper & Co … Continued
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About Us

International Trade Experts with Dual Carbon Compliance Specialisation

Established in 2014, Hooper & Co International Trade Consultancy Ltd has guided UK businesses through international trade complexities for over a decade. Our transition into CBAM advisory services is a natural extension of our core expertise in customs, logistics, compliance, and trade regulation.

Our comprehensive understanding of both UK and EU frameworks positions us uniquely to help metal processors navigate the complex dual-system reality that UK businesses now face – complying with EU CBAM today while preparing for the UK’s own system in 2027.

Through our established network of partners in both private and public sectors, we provide up-to-the-minute guidance on both EU and UK CBAM compliance, helping you transform regulatory burdens into strategic advantages.

Learn more about Hooper & Co

FAQ

As of January 2025, the EU has opened a new portal section of the CBAM Registry specifically for non-EU producers like UK companies. This allows you to register your installation directly, calculate your emissions, and share verified emissions data with multiple EU importers. Registration is valid for five years and significantly streamlines the compliance process for UK exporters.

Both the EU and UK CBAM require verification by independent bodies accredited by members of the International Accreditation Forum (IAF), such as UKAS in the UK. The EU verification principles are detailed in Annex VI of the CBAM Regulation and typically require site visits to production facilities, though there are exceptions. The UK system will follow similar standards. We recommend establishing relationships with accredited verifiers now to ensure readiness.

UK metal exporters face the unique challenge of complying with EU CBAM now while preparing for UK CBAM in 2027. We recommend a staged approach: 1) Ensure immediate EU CBAM compliance through proper emissions reporting and verification; 2) Register your installations directly in the EU CBAM Registry using the new portal; 3) Begin planning for UK CBAM by implementing comprehensive emissions tracking systems that will satisfy both regimes; 4) Document UK carbon pricing now to prepare for future deductions.

Yes, but documentation is critical. Article 9 of the EU CBAM Regulation allows importers to claim reductions for carbon prices already paid in the country of origin. Evidence must be certified by an independent person and kept for four years. Similarly, the UK CBAM will recognise carbon prices paid elsewhere. This reciprocity is important for businesses trading between the UK and the EU.

Both the EU and UK systems require accounting for embedded emissions in precursor materials. For complex products like finished metal goods, you’ll need to track emissions through the entire production chain. Annex IV of the EU Regulation provides specific formulas for calculating embedded emissions in complex goods. Given that many metal products involve multiple production steps, having robust systems to track carbon through your supply chain is essential.

Meet the Team

We're here for you

David Hooper

Managing Director

David Hooper MBA is an accomplished international trade professional with over 20 years of experience. He is the Managing Director of Hooper and Co International Trade Consultancy Ltd and a Director at Independent Freight Solutions Ltd. David specialises in providing training, advice, and consultancy to businesses engaged in international trade, with a focus on customs, logistics, and the practical aspects of global commerce. He also advises government bodies, chambers of commerce, and intermediaries supporting importers and exporters. David holds an MBA from Aston University and a degree in Politics, Economics, and Philosophy.

Jamie Harper

Project Consultant

Jamie is an international trade professional with 5 years in the field, following a background as customs manager with experience in customs compliance. He is currently a consultant specializing in international trade. Jamie provides expertise in navigating complex global trade regulations, customs procedures, and compliance requirements for businesses engaged in international commerce. He holds a Master’s degree from the University of Warwick.

  • David Hooper

    Managing Director

    David Hooper MBA is an accomplished international trade professional with over 20 years of experience. He is the Managing Director of Hooper and Co International Trade Consultancy Ltd and a Director at Independent Freight Solutions Ltd. David specialises in providing training, advice, and consultancy to businesses engaged in international trade, with a focus on customs, logistics, and the practical aspects of global commerce. He also advises government bodies, chambers of commerce, and intermediaries supporting importers and exporters. David holds an MBA from Aston University and a degree in Politics, Economics, and Philosophy.

  • Jamie Harper

    Project Consultant

    Jamie is an international trade professional with 5 years in the field, following a background as customs manager with experience in customs compliance. He is currently a consultant specializing in international trade. Jamie provides expertise in navigating complex global trade regulations, customs procedures, and compliance requirements for businesses engaged in international commerce. He holds a Master’s degree from the University of Warwick.

Client Testimonials

Opinions & Reviews

  • We have talked to so many freight agents and none of them were as responsive and helpful as this guys. We needed a Door to Door service from China to London and they made all this complicated process so easy for us. Most important thing for me though, if you are not familiar with customs procedures they are there to recommend you the best options according to your business needs. Their fees are very competitive. Worth every penny. Special thanks to Jenny and Luke I will be definitely using their services again.
    Aylar Huseynova
    London
  • This is an easy one as I cannot recommend David & Jenny highly enough. We first engaged David during the whole Brexit ‘deal or no deal’ discussions. You may remember that there were many FTA scenarios being negotiated and David patiently presented each one with professionalism and real in-depth knowledge. He trained me and my team in export documentation, Incoterms, Country of Origin and customs clearance and we still rely on David and Jenny as our customs broker. They currently customs clear between 3- & 10-Euro pallets a week for us. Jenny has arranged several shipments for us (Nigeria, Myanmar) and again her knowledge of Incoterms & logistics is second to none. We had many questions particularly in the early days and David, Jenny, Neil & Jamie are always on hand to support us. If you are starting on your export journey so I can, with absolute confidence, assure you that you would be very safe hands!
    David Manion - Managing Director
    Karl Dungs Ltd
  • We have talked to so many freight agents and none of them were as responsive and helpful as this guys. We needed a Door to Door service from China to London and they made all this complicated process so easy for us. Most important thing for me though, if you are not familiar with customs procedures they are there to recommend you the best options according to your business needs. Their fees are very competitive. Worth every penny. Special thanks to Jenny and Luke I will be definitely using their services again.
    Aylar Huseynova
    London
  • This is an easy one as I cannot recommend David & Jenny highly enough. We first engaged David during the whole Brexit ‘deal or no deal’ discussions. You may remember that there were many FTA scenarios being negotiated and David patiently presented each one with professionalism and real in-depth knowledge. He trained me and my team in export documentation, Incoterms, Country of Origin and customs clearance and we still rely on David and Jenny as our customs broker. They currently customs clear between 3- & 10-Euro pallets a week for us. Jenny has arranged several shipments for us (Nigeria, Myanmar) and again her knowledge of Incoterms & logistics is second to none. We had many questions particularly in the early days and David, Jenny, Neil & Jamie are always on hand to support us. If you are starting on your export journey so I can, with absolute confidence, assure you that you would be very safe hands!
    David Manion - Managing Director
    Karl Dungs Ltd

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