Project Description
CARM
Financial Security
Rescheduling of Annual RPP Financial Security Review (Bulletin 5404)
On October 20, 2025, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) began its annual recalculation of financial security requirements for all importers participating in the Release Prior to Payment (RPP) program through the CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management (CARM) system. CBSA has shifted its annual RPP financial security review period from July–July to October–October. For the current cycle, security amounts are being recalculated based on import transaction history from October 2024 to October 2025.
Importers must ensure their posted financial security meets the updated requirement by January 15, 2026. The recalculated amounts do appear in the CARM Client Portal, which can be found in the Client’s Notifications section. Importers should check the portal for their new bond amount, noting that it will not appear under Financials as previously advised.
CBSA advises importers to monitor the Notifications section of their CARM Client Portal regularly and make any necessary adjustments in advance. This scheduling change provides additional time to prepare for new RPP requirements and maintain uninterrupted program eligibility.
Questions? Contact: bonds@ghy.com
How to Post Security for CARM
Importers are required to post financial security. Release Prior to Payment (RPP) enrolment will become is responsibility of the importer and allows participants to import goods into Canada without paying duties and taxes upfront. The CBSA mandates to have your bond in place.
Release Prior to Payment (RPP) enrolment with posted security will allow importers to:
- Obtain the release of goods from the CBSA before paying duties and taxes;
- Defer payment of duties and taxes.
There are two RPP options:
Option#1: Cash Deposit
Importers will be required to pay a minimum 100% of the anticipated highest monthly duty and tax (GST) obligation to the CBSA.
Option #2 (Recommended): Surety Bond (Renew Annually)
Importers are required to post a minimum 50% of their highest anticipated monthly duties and tax obligation to the CBSA. Each RM e.g. (123456789RM0001, 123456789RM0002), must have a minimum of $5,000 posted for the surety bond option. Note: Companies cannot post one bond for multiple RM accounts
RPP Enrollment
CBSA will remove the Release Prior to Payment (RPP) enrollment if the requirements are not met. Once all requirements are met and an adequate bond amount has been posted, importers are required to manually re-enroll in RPP. Access our Guide to RPP Enrolment.
Contact bonds@ghy.com to obtain a bond.
Subscribe to Important CARM Updates
We’ll only share what you need to know about CARM.
CARM Financial Security Explained
Confusion exists on Release Prior to Payment (RPP) bonds, also called Financial Security Agreements (FSAs). Our mission is to provide clarity.
Pro-Tip (GHY Can Assist)
GHY has a solution to assist in securing a bond that includes special negotiated rates, easy administration, and implementation when required.
To join the growing list of clients benefiting from our support, please reach out to us at bonds@ghy.com.
Note: GHY does not provide bonds, but assists importers in obtaining from a surety company.
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
