Project Description

CARM

Everything you need to know on CARM in one place | Brought to you by your CARM Ambassadors. Last Updated August 22, 2023.

Facts on CARM

CARM stands for CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management. This multi-year initiative aims to upgrade and digitally transform the current importing process. Once implemented, CARM will provide importers with access to their trade information and account balances, direct payment solutions, and a myriad of trade tools that simplify their importing processes.

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) realized that its business systems were failing and required a complete overhaul. That’s why it launched the CARM project to:

  • Strengthen audit controls
  • Increase risk management
  • Ensure higher compliance of Canadian importers through import rules and regulations

The goal of this initiative goes beyond providing a self-serve portal for trade chain partners to track but also submit their Commercial Accounting Declaration (CAD) forms, make payments, and reconcile trade reports. In fact, the main idea is to tighten the Agency’s control over Importers of Record (IORs) and identify areas of poor compliance and underpaid customs duties.

All importers to Canada are required to take part in the CARM initiative. Although there is no impact on the release process of imports, every Canadian importer will be required to register and access the CARM Client Portal (CCP) for eligibility to import into Canada. Registration must be completed before Release 2. The implementation date of CARM Release 2 is targeted for May 2024.

As an importer to Canada, CARM will help streamline your import processes more efficiently and allow the government to collect the revenue needed to deliver the programs Canadians depend on.

CARM has no impact on the release process of your imports, but it will help ensure that you’re fully compliant with import rules and regulations while paying the correct Customs duties and taxes. CARM will also enable you to track but also submit your Commercial Accounting Declaration (CAD) forms, make payments, and reconcile your trade reports in a more standardized way.

The CARM Client Portal (CCP) is a simple and secure way to transact with the CBSA. Importers will be able to view their Statement of Account (SOA) with financial transactions, make credit card or pre-authorized payments, and submit appeals and rulings requests.

As of CARM Release 1, the CCP will only provide importers with a visual of Import Entry Numbers and amounts owing. In the future, a new suite of tools will be made available to assist importers and declarations via the new electronic Commercial Accounting Declaration (CAD).

We’re here to make your CARM adoption and compliance experience as seamless as possible. At GHY we have all the knowledge, expertise, and tools to help you get a head start with CARM. As we connect, we’ll share Trade Tools that deliver benefits others will have access to only when CARM’s Release 2 is rolled out – with a targeted implementation date of May 2024. In short, today we provide importers with features and functionalities that the CBSA may only be able to provide in the years ahead.

Phases of CARM

Since May 25, 2021, importers have been required to sign up and register their businesses on the CARM Client Portal (CCP). This can be done through a Sign-In Partner or a GC Key (using the Business Number (BN) and associated RM Account Number(RM) e.g. Import & Export Account (RM0001).

This final release/implementation of CARM Release 2 is targeted for May 2024. Once it goes into effect, importers and trade partners will have access to the portal’s full functionalities and be able to complete and manage their import processes online.

What You Need to Do

The CBSA acknowledges that a broker statement of account and importer statement of account are different. In fact, there may be credits available on your account and only 10% of businesses have access to their importer SOA. With the CBSA encouraging all importers to sign up and access their SOAs, we can help you to do that. You can obtain access through us, as an authorized CARM third-party service provider, or contact CBSA directly. Information from your SOA will be required to answer affinity questions during registration on the CARM Client Portal (CCP).

* Learn more about your Importer SOA or email carm@ghy.com to get access.

Speak to your customs broker to understand how the CARM Client Portal (CCP) will support your business and trade activities. Your customs broker can advise on best practice usage of the portal, including providing insights on functionality and what level of access is needed for each of your internal and external stakeholders.

Register your business and Business Number (BN) on the CARM Client Portal (CCP) and start delegating authority to your trade chain partners (service providers and/or customs brokers). You can register using a GC Key or via one of the CBSA’s Sign In partners.

Release Prior to Payment – What You Need to Know.

The implementation for CARM Release 2 is targeted for May 2024. At Release 2 of CARM, it will be mandatory for all importers to post security (Note: Customs Brokers will no longer be allowed to post financial security to secure debt to the Crown on behalf of importers). It is expected that Importers with registered accounts on the CARM Client Portal (CCP) will benefit with a 180 day extended period before being required to post security. Following 180 days, security will be required in the form of a Cash Deposit or as a Surety Bond. Without security, an importer may be required to pay in advance.

Further details can be found in the CBSA’s FAQs on Release Prior to Payment here.

When it comes to posting of security each importer has unique choices. Book a Meeting with GHY to understand what the best choice is for you and your business under the current CARM schedule.

Book a Meeting

Roadmap

carm-update-release-2-implementation-now-may-2024

CARM Timeline

ActionTimeline
Must Register on the Portal

  • To benefit from 180 days without Posting Security to ensure no border delays
Before May 2024
Must Delegate to Customs Broker (GHY)Before May 2024
Understand New FormsAt R2 Launch – May 2024
Understand Portal FunctionalityAt R2 Launch – May 2024
Post Security (GHY can assist in facilitation)May 2024 (if not previously registered on Portal)

Fall 2024 (if registered on Portal before May 2024)

Financial Security for Importers

CARM Release 2 is targeted for May 2024. It is expected that Importers with registered accounts on the CARM Client Portal (CCP) will benefit with a 180 day extended period before being required to post financial security.

Following 180 days, security will be required in the form of a Cash Deposit or as a Surety Bond. Without security, an importer may be required to pay in advance.

Types of Security

Though importer security is mandatory (at the launch of Release 2 which is targeted for implementation in May 2024), importers have choices regarding the type of security they can obtain. GHY can provide you with more understanding and better insights to help you make the choice that best suits your business needs. You can contact your account representative or send an email to carm@ghy.com for more information.

Importers using the Security Bond option are only required to post 50% of their highest anticipated monthly duties and tax obligation. Each RM15 (123456789RM0001, 123456789RM0002) must have a minimum of $25,000 posted for the surety bond option. A BN9 is able to post one bond for multiple BN15’s provided the security amount reflects the required $25,000 minimum for each BN15.

Importers who opt to provide a cash deposit will be required to pay 100% of the anticipated highest monthly duty and tax obligation.

FINANCIAL SECURITY OPTIONS [INFOGRAPHIC]

Further details can be found in the CBSA’s FAQs on Release Prior to Payment here.

Payment Cycles of CARM

As of Release 2, new billing cycles and payment due dates will be introduced.

STATEMENT OF ACCOUNT (SOA)

The SOA will be generated in the CARM Client Portal on the 25th day of each month.

PAYMENT DUE DATE

Payments will be due 10 business days (holidays included) after the 17th of the calendar month.

CORRECTION PERIOD

The Correction Period allows for interest-free corrections to your Commercial Accounting Declaration (CAD). It starts on CAD submission day and ends on payment due date.

ADJUSTMENT PERIOD

The Adjustment Period starts on payment due date. Please note that adjustments to your CAD at this stage (after the Correction Period) may be subject to CBSA review.

VIEW CBSA HARMONIZED BILLING CYCLES [CARM]

Your CARM Ambassadors

How GHY can help you navigate CARM.

Introducing Our CARM Specialist and Ambassador – Sarah Marcotte

Navigating the complexities of the CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management (CARM) program can be a daunting task, especially with the diverse trade dynamics it faces, including eCommerce and multiple transport modes. At GHY, we go beyond being trade specialists; we are Certified Trade Compliance Specialists (CTCS) and CARM Ambassadors who are dedicated to understanding your unique business needs.

With Sarah Marcotte, our expert CARM Specialist, we are committed to crafting tailored solutions that seamlessly integrate CARM into your importing processes.

Embrace the changes confidently, without disruption to your operations or delays in your imports. Let GHY be your guide as you navigate CARM and shape outcomes that best suit your business.

Book a Meeting with Sarah!

Our CARM Specialist is here to answer your questions and guide you through every step!u.

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.

Download White Paper
White Paper - Getting on Board with CARM: How it Will Impact Your Supply Chain

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.

DOWNLOAD Q&A

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.

CARM Webinar 1 – February 4, 2021

ACCESS CARM WEBINAR 1

CARM Webinar 2 – March 17, 2021

ACCESS CARM WEBINAR 2

Receive CARM Updates

Subscribe to receive notifications about CARM registration, delegation, and updates. We’ll only share what you need to know about CARM.

CARM Onboarding

We’re here to help you get familiar with CARM and its Client Portal (CCP), here are some tutorial videos.

Get in Touch

We’re here to guide you every step of the way. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us.

Call Us: 1-833-GHY-CARM

EMAIL US

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