Managing imports in kolum is a critical part of your CBAM compliance workflow. Each import you record ensures that your emissions data remains linked to your actual trade flows, enabling seamless reporting to the EU Commission while maintaining traceable, audit-proof records for your organisation. This guide will walk you through when and how to add a new import, explain each field clearly, and help you understand why accurate import recording is essential for CBAM reporting.

Why Record Imports in kolum?

Under the CBAM regulation, importers into the EU are required to declare the volume of goods imported, the emissions embedded in these goods, and related customs and shipment data for each reporting period. By recording imports in kolum:

You maintain a clear record of imports by supplier, article, and customs procedure.
Your import data seamlessly connects to emission values and CBAM report preparation.

You improve transparency and readiness for audits, reducing compliance risks. In short, accurately adding imports ensures your carbon reporting reflects your actual supply chain movements and import volumes, aligning emissions with physical goods flows.

Where to Find "Add New Imports"

Navigate to the sidebar under: Compliance → Imports → Add New. This will open the Create Import page, structured into two key panels:

Import Details (left side)
Parties and Details Involved in Customs (right side)

Import Details: Shipment and Customs Data

This section captures the specifics of your import transaction:

Identifier (optional): The unique key of this import in kolum. Enter the reference you use in your own systems, or leave the field empty and kolum generates one for you in the form kolum-ImportID-1, kolum-ImportID-2, and so on. If you enter one, it must be unique within your account; you can change it later on the edit form. It is the value a bulk re-upload or the Imports API uses to find this import again.
Quantity: Enter the amount of goods imported as a number, without a unit in the field itself.
Measurement Unit: Select the unit the Quantity is expressed in. Choose kg or t for goods; MWh applies to imported electricity only (tariff codes starting 2716). The unit is required as soon as a Quantity is entered. A quantity you enter in kg is converted and stored in tonnes, so the imports table and your CBAM calculations always work with the same basis.
Date: The official import date or customs clearance date for your shipment.
Applied Customs Procedure: This is the procedure code used by customs (e.g., "0740" for standard release for free circulation within the EU).
Internal Reference Number (optional): A free-text tracking reference you use within your systems. Unlike the Identifier, it does not have to be unique and is not used to match records.
ATC Number (optional): The Authorised Consignee reference if applicable.
Customs Value (optional for EU CBAM): The value of goods declared at customs for import. Next to it, the Customs Value Currency is shown read-only: kolum derives it from the country of the importing company you select (for example EUR for a company in Germany), so you never pick or convert a currency by hand. If the importing company is registered for UK CBAM, the customs value is required, because the UK registration threshold is measured on it.

Inward Processing: If your import is under inward processing, tick the "Inward Processing Applied" checkbox. This will expand additional fields:

Previous Customs Procedure: The customs procedure applied before inward processing.
Member State of Authorisation: The EU country granting inward processing approval.
Authorisation: Your inward processing authorisation reference.
Globalisation Time Start / End: The approved processing period.
Deadline for Bill of Discharge Submission: The due date for submitting documentation proving goods have been processed or exported.
Inward Processing Waiver: Tick if you are applying a waiver for the bill of discharge submission.

What is Inward Processing? It is a customs procedure that allows you to import goods for processing in the EU without paying import duties immediately. Duties are paid only when goods are released for free circulation or may be waived if goods are re-exported after processing.

Parties and Customs Details: Linking Your Import

On the right panel, you will specify who and what the import is linked to in your organisation and supply chain:

Importing Company: Select your EU-based entity responsible for this import. Its country also determines the Customs Value Currency shown on the left.
Supplier: Choose the non-EU supplier from whom the goods are imported.
Country of Origin: The country where the goods were produced.
Production Facility (optional): If goods are linked to a facility you manage abroad, select it here.
CN Code: The Combined Nomenclature code (EU customs tariff classification) for the imported goods.
Article (optional): Link to an existing article in kolum for emissions tracking and seamless CBAM reporting. By completing this section, you ensure your import is fully traceable, linking shipment data with emissions data for accurate CBAM compliance.

Creating Your Import

Once you have reviewed all entries and ensured data accuracy, click "Create Import" in the top right corner. Your import will now appear in the All Imports overview table, where you can:

View and filter imports by identifier, date, supplier, customs code, emissions, and more.
Edit or update import records if corrections are needed.
Track emission values associated with each import to prepare your CBAM reports seamlessly.

What Happens Next?

After adding your imports:

Emission values for these imports will automatically link to your CBAM calculation workflows in kolum.
You can monitor imports for the current reporting timeframe to prepare your CBAM report accurately.
Your organisation will maintain a clear, auditable record, aligning imports with your emission responsibilities under EU CBAM.

What's new

The Create Import form now has an Identifier field that kolum fills for you when you leave it empty, a Quantity that you enter together with its Measurement Unit (kg, t, or MWh for electricity), and a Customs Value Currency that is derived from the importing company's country and shown next to the customs value.