Project Description
CARM
CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management. Everything you need to know on CARM in one place.
Navigate Quickly To:
- What is CARM?
- What is the CARM Client Portal?
- What is Delegation in CARM?
- What is Financial Security for CARM?
- What are the Payment Options in CARM?
- What is a Commercial Accounting Declaration (CAD)?
- What is the difference between a CAD Correction vs. Adjustment in CARM?
What is CARM?
The new CARM system is now Canada’s official system for collecting duties and taxes, CARM will impact both large and small importers. Discover everything you need to know in our guide. CARM will provide importers with online access to their trade information, account balances, duty and tax collection, direct payment solutions, and a myriad of trade tools that simplify their importing processes.
What is the CARM Client Portal?
The CARM Client Portal (CCP) is an online tool to transact business with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). Registration is mandatory for all importers, and companies must delegate authority to their Customs Broker for them to act on their behalf. Imports can view their Statement of Account (SOA), review financial transactions, make credit card payment, and submit ruling and appeals direct to CBSA.
Learn more about How to Register in the CARM Client Portal below.
Pro-Tip (Pre-Registration)
Before registering, make sure you have gathered all required information to streamline the setup process.
Is your company’s legal information accurate?
You will be required to provide your company’s legal information that is on file with Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). The legal name and address registered with the CRA must match exactly when registering in the CARM Client Portal (CCP).
Who will serve as your main Business Account Manager (BAM)?
The BAM isn’t required to be a company executive/officer; instead, this position should be filled by someone who oversees your company’s trade data and CBSA transactions (payments).
Who will occupy the position of the secondary Business Account Manager (BAM)?
It is advisable to appoint two BAMs to manage the portal, it is very difficult to switch BAMs a later date.
What is Delegation in CARM?
The delegation process will allow you to assign access to certain functions/roles within the CCP to external third parties/service providers e.g. customs broker(s) and internal employees. Those assigned will be granted the authority to manage the functions you choose, on your behalf.
Learn more about How to Delegate Authority in CARM to various assigned parties.
Pro-Tip (BAMs and PAMs)
Assign a primary customs broker to assist with your CARM account as your third-party Business Account Manager (BAM), and other active providers as third-party Program Account Manager(s) (PAMs). This will prevent duplicate activity in your account. User roles may be adjusted at any time by your company.
What is Financial Security for CARM?
Importers will be required to post financial security (bond) come May 19, 2025 to continue to benefit from the Release Prior to Payment (RPP) program. Security (Bond or Cash) will become the responsibility of the importer at this time.
Learn more about how to post security, your options and how to obtain a bond.
Pro-Tip (RPP/FSA)
Importers without posted financial security and without enrolment in RPP will not be able to defer payments, resulting in the requirement to pay duties and taxes to the CBSA at the time of import in order to release their goods.
NEW: Importers who want to continue benefiting from the RPP program must post their own financial security in the CARM system by May 19, 2025. Details here.
Further details can be found in the CBSA’s FAQs on Release Prior to Payment Program.
What are the Payment Options in CARM?
Businesses do not have to start paying duties and taxes directly to the CBSA with their registration in CARM. The payment options you have in place with your customs broker can continue e.g. broker-direct.
There are now two types of payment options.
- Importer Direct – importer pays duty and tax direct to CBSA.
- Broker Direct – broker pays duty and tax to CBSA on the importer’s behalf.
Learn more about your CARM Account and Payments below.
Pro-Tip (Billing and Payment)
New billing cycles and payment due dates will be introduced. We outline these in ‘How to Make Payments‘.
What is a Commercial Accounting Declaration (CAD)?
The Commercial Accounting Declaration (CAD) has been introduced as the new standard for accounting for imported goods into Canada. This digital document has replaced current B3/B2 forms.
Learn more about the differences between a CAD vs. a B3.
What is the difference between a CAD Correction vs. Adjustment in CARM?
Changes to the the Commercial Accounting Declaration (CAD) can be made through corrections before the payment due date and adjustments after the payment due date.
Learn more about the differences in the correction period vs. the adjustment period, and how to correct or adjust a CAD.
CARM Testimonials
“I had the pleasure of collaborating with the GHY CARM team, and their guidance has proved invaluable. Their expertise regarding requirements for the Canadian government’s initiative ensured our company is well-prepared for upcoming changes. We’re grateful for such a knowledgeable partner.”
“Sarah, a big thank you for being on the call and providing your CARM expertise. Paul and I will want to stay in touch with you so we can get it right. And certainly, we want to bring the new assistant controller on and train them right away. I wish our other brokers were as open to meet and walk us through this thing.”
“Let me start with saying that the CARM Open Mic webinar was really helpful. I know it wasn’t the exact content that you intended (thank you CBSA…lol), it was still very impactful. Great job!”
CARM Updates
White Paper:
Getting on Board with CARM: How It Will Impact Your Supply Chain
Dive into this White Paper and learn everything you need to know about CARM. We unpack all the details as to why CBSA is making this monumental change, timelines you need to be aware of, why this matters to all importers, steps in setting up your CARM account, and how to minimize your compliance risk and maximize your business opportunities. This is a go-to for all importers and members of the trade community; an invaluable resource to guide you through one of the biggest changes that CBSA has ever made.
FAQs
We’re here to take the guesswork out of CARM compliance and make sure you’re on top of things. Read our answers to the most pressing questions that importers asked during our previous CARM webinars.
Webinars
We regularly host CBSA officials and trade industry experts to discuss CARM updates and questions. Get access to our previous webinar recordings and stay tuned for our upcoming events.
Open Mic on CARM
CARM In Effect: Navigate CBSA’s Biggest Change for Importers
CARM Webinar 1 – February 4, 2021
CARM Webinar 2 – March 17, 2021
