You are deciding between a self-service CBAM tool and hiring a consultant. Here is an honest comparison. CBAMCheck (€299) generates structured CBAM documentation — 12 deliverables per Reg. (EU) 2023/956 — from the data you enter, in minutes, in your browser. A consultancy (€5,000–€25,000) provides personalised human analysis, regulatory interpretation, and advisory, typically over weeks. They are not the same thing. CBAMCheck is a documentation tool. A consultancy is professional advisory. For most importers with defined products and clear origins, CBAMCheck covers the documentation requirement. For complex situations — disputed classifications, novel deduction claims, multi-jurisdiction structures — a consultant adds value. Start with CBAMCheck; escalate if needed.
€299 · One-time · 12 professional deliverables · Your data never leaves your browser
CBAMCheck structures documentation. It does not provide legal advice, regulatory interpretation or representation.
If your situation is straightforward, the consultant is using the same regulation and the same data. CBAMCheck does this for €299.
CBAMCheck gives you a structured baseline. The consultant can then focus on interpretation, not data collection.
CBAMCheck generates a complete CBAM compliance dossier — not a single PDF. 12 structured documents delivered as a ZIP file, each citing the specific article of Reg. (EU) 2023/956 it addresses.
Determines whether your imports fall under CBAM and which obligations apply. Art. 2 + Art. 2a of Reg. (EU) 2023/956.
Calculates embedded emissions per tonne using default values from Implementing Reg. (EU) 2025/2621 or your actual data. Art. 7 + Annex IV.
Estimates the number of certificates required and the projected cost, adjusted for free allocation (Art. 31).
Pre-structured declaration following Art. 6(2) requirements.
Documents any carbon price paid in the country of origin for Art. 9 deduction.
Record-keeping template compliant with Annex V requirements.
Structured preparation for Art. 8 verification. Annex VI checklist included.
Model letter requesting emissions data from your third-country supplier.
Importable calendar with quarterly certificate obligations, annual declaration deadline and key milestones.
One-page CBAM exposure overview for management reporting.
Standalone dashboard with 2026–2032 projections. Works offline.
Visual calendar of all CBAM deadlines and schedules.
Generated from your input data, in your browser. No data leaves your device.
Download a sample CBAMCheck dossier. This is a real output generated with generic data — the same 12 deliverables you will receive with your company’s actual figures.
Download sample dossier (ZIP)Generic data. Your dossier will contain your actual import figures, CN codes and emission calculations.
Select your sector and country of origin. CBAMCheck searches through 13,566 official records from Implementing Reg. (EU) 2025/2621 and shows the result with the 2026 mark-up included.
Average European Commission default values per sector and country of origin.
This is a quick estimate. Your complete dossier includes projections through 2032, an editable interactive dashboard, and 10 PDF documents.
Generate your complete dossier — €299 →Average values per sector from Implementing Reg. (EU) 2025/2621. The complete dossier uses the exact CN code of your goods, not the sector average. Estimated EU ETS price: €75/tCO₂e.
| Feature | Free tool | CBAMCheck | SaaS Enterprise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | €299 (one-time) | €1,990–€4,800/year |
| Model | Generic template | 12 professional deliverables | Annual subscription |
| Default values | Not included | 13,566 (Reg. 2025/2621) | Partial |
| Interactive dashboard | No | HTML, 7-year projection | Inside platform |
| Supplier letter | No | English template included | Variable |
| Art. 8 verification prep | No | Included | Variable |
| Privacy | Variable | 100% browser-side | Data on server |
The EU CBAM Registry (Art. 14) requires you to submit total embedded emissions, number of certificates and carbon price documentation. It does not calculate these for you. You must arrive with the numbers ready.
CBAMCheck takes your import data (tonnes, CN codes, country of origin) and generates the embedded emissions calculation, certificate estimation, carbon price documentation and all supporting records. You download the dossier and use it to complete the CBAM Registry submission.
Art. 26 of Reg. (EU) 2023/956 sets the penalties.
Art. 26(1): an authorised CBAM declarant who fails to surrender the required certificates by 30 September faces a penalty identical to the excess emissions penalty under Art. 16(3) of Directive 2003/87/EC, increased pursuant to Art. 16(4). Payment does not release the obligation to surrender outstanding certificates (Art. 26(3)).
Art. 26(2): a person who introduces goods without authorisation faces a penalty of 3 to 5 times the standard penalty. This also applies to importers exceeding the de minimis threshold (50 tonnes, Art. 2a) without authorisation (Art. 26(2a)).
Professional Pack: 70 generations at €28.56/dossier. Use CBAMCheck as your documentation backbone and add your advisory on top.
Request Professional PackCBAMCheck generates a document structured according to Art. 6 and Art. 7 + Annex IV of Regulation (EU) 2023/956 from the information you enter. The truthfulness, accuracy and completeness of that information is your responsibility as importer or authorised CBAM declarant.
We guarantee that the document structure follows Regulation (EU) 2023/956 and that the legal references cited are correct. We do not guarantee that a specific document will be accepted by a national competent authority in a specific case.
CBAMCheck is not legal advice. For specific situations, consult a lawyer or specialised regulatory consultancy.
CBAMCheck: €299, 12 deliverables, minutes. Not a consultancy. Better than a template.