CARM will change the way you import

The CBSA is preparing to introduce the CARM initiative developed in collaboration with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

Phase 1, which should be in effect at the end of Spring 2021, will give importers and brokers access to the client portal.

Users will be able to:

• consult the transactions entered in their accounts;
• make payments by credit card or set up a direct debit;
• delegate access to the portal to employees and third parties (for example, customs brokers and/or trade advisors) to manage commercial imports;
• request and monitor the progress of decisions electronically; and
• classify goods and estimate duties and taxes.

Phase 2, which should be in effect at the end of Spring 2022, will be accessible to all trade chain partners.     

Users will be able to:

• acquire a business number (NE9) and a program account (RM account and/or program identifier);
• submit, correct, and adjust a commercial accounting declaration (CAD), which will replace the current customs coding (B3) and adjustment request (B2) forms, also available through electronic data interchange; and
• post and monitor a security to participate in the Release Prior to Payment (RPP)* program as an importer.

Release Prior to Payment (RPP)*

All importers will be required to post a security to participate in the Release Prior to Payment (RPP) privilege program. They will no longer be able to use their customs broker’s RPP security to clear goods and receive the Release Prior to Payment privilege.

For more information, consult the CBSA site:

CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management Project

As soon as more detailed information becomes available, we will get in touch with all our importer clients to add clarifications and offer support concerning the steps that will need to be taken to register for the portal within the specified deadlines.