Simplifying the CARM Program
CARM Is Here – What You Need to Know About Shipping into Canada
On October 21st, 2024, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)'s CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management (CARM) system became the official system of record for all commercial goods imported into Canada. This change has a direct impact on how importers can receive their duties and taxes invoices and how they can pay them.
All functionalities of the CARM Client Portal (CCP) have been available as of CARM Release 3 in October 2024. CARM Release 3 introduced the Release Prior to Payment for all importers, a new CARM Commercial Accounting Declaration (CAD) that changed the way we declare goods and the billing cycles have been harmonized.
Complete Your Registration on the CARM Client Portal (CCP)
How to Proceed
Pro Tip: Have the CBSA Information Sheet on hand when registering your business on the CARM Client Portal (CCP).
Step 1: Access and Register Your Business on the CCP.
You will need to complete the following steps. Please review the following CBSA document for helpful guidelines on how to register a business on the CCP.
- Create your GCKey on the CBSA website
- Create your client profile
- Register for multi-factor authentication
- Register your business:
- Ensure that the legal entity name and address match the registered information with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
- Retrieve a previous Notice of Assessment and confirm the legal name and address of your company
- Answer two (2) out of three (3) of the Affinity Questions
- “The total amount of duties and taxes for an import accounting transaction accepted by the CBSA from 2017-09-18 to current”
- “Provide an exact amount of a payment that has been applied to your account since 2017-09-18"
- “Balance of a Statement of Account (SOA) back to 2017-09-18"
- Ensure that the legal entity name and address match the registered information with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
Step 2: Delegate Authority to Delmar International Inc. as Business Management on the CCP.
Please review the following CBSA document for helpful guidelines on how to delegate authority on the CCP.
Additional Guidance
Watch the following step-by-step videos on how to complete the delegation process.
- How to create login credentials and a user account in the CARM Client Portal
- How to link a user account to a business account in the CARM Client Portal
- How to answer the affinity questions
- How to set up a delegation of authority for a third-party service provider in the CARM Client Portal
- How to set up a delegation of authority for employees in the CARM Client Portal
CBSA CARM Updates
CBSA’s CARM: RPP Transition Period Extension (March 31, 2025)
The CBSA introduced a 180-day transition period post-launch, allowing importers time to adjust to the change and obtain financial security. Learn more.
CBSA’s CARM RPP 180-Day Transition Period Ending April 19th, 2025, and Billing Updates (January 30, 2025)
On April 19th, 2025, importers will no longer be able to use a customs broker's Release Prior to Payment (RPP) security to obtain the release of imported goods prior to paying duties and taxes. Learn more.
CARM Launch Postponed to October 2024 (April 23, 2024)
The CBSA has announced on April 19, 2024, that the CARM launch, previously scheduled for May 13, 2024, is now postponed to October 2024. Learn more.
The CBSA Clarifies Record-Keeping Requirements for Canadian Importers (February 24, 2023)
Requirement for all importers to file a compliant BSF900 form as a condition of completing their CARM Client Portal registration. See new requirements.
CARM Release 2 Implementation Update (December 1, 2022)
The CARM Experience Simulation (CES) will allow volunteers from the trade community to simulate CARM Release 2 business processes with CBSA business users in a non-production environment. Learn more.
CARM Release 2 Delayed to 2023 (March 16, 2022)
The CBSA has announced that they do not intend to proceed with the implementation of CARM Release 2 any time prior to 2023. Learn more.
Update: CARM Release 1 – May 25, 2021 (June 8, 2021)
Update of the upcoming changes and new functionalities in the CARM Client Portal. See updated functionalities.
Reminder: CARM Release 1 – May 25, 2021 (May 21, 2021)
Reminder of the upcoming changes and new functionalities in the CARM Client Portal. See new functionalities.
Accounts Receivable Ledger (ARL) – Offsetting Entries on some Daily Notices (DN) and Statements of Account (SOA) (April 19, 2021)
The CBSA will be performing ARL account maintenance activities in preparation of the CARM Client Portal. See maintenance changes.
Minimum Bond Requirement as of CARM Release 2 (April 15, 2021)
As of CARM Release 2, each RM15 must have a minimum amount of $25 000 posted for the surety bond. See minimum bond requirement.
Useful CARM Resource Links
CARM Quarterly - A Newsletter for Trade Chain Partners
User Guide – Onboarding to the CARM Client Portal
User Guide - Delegation of Authority in the CARM Client Portal
CARM Solution Spotlight – Financial Security
Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) Application for Daily Notice (DN) and Statement of Account (SOA)
Information Sheet - Registering a Business on the CARM Client Portal
Client Support: CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management
User Guide - Financial Information and Payments on the CARM Client Portal
Delmar’s On Demand CARM Webinars
CARM 108: CARM Is Live: How to Navigate It – Open Mic (Round 2)
CARM 107: Prepare for Go-Live – Release 3!
From the CARM Client Portal (CCP) registration to the delegation of authority to your broker, hear from Delmar’s customs brokerage experts on what actions need to be taken by importers prior to the CARM Release 3 go-live on October 21st, 2024. Learn more & watch!
CARM 106: CARM Release 2 - Are You Ready?
Join our Customs Brokerage experts to better understand the functionalities of the CARM Client Portal (CCP), how to register your business on the portal and delegate authority to Delmar. Learn more & watch!
CARM 105: CARM Client Portal Show & Tell + Open Mic Session
Join Delmar’s expert Canadian Trade Compliance Managers for a practical session on how to navigate the CARM Client Portal (CCP). Complete the actions needed to be taken by importers to be ready for CARM Release 2 and learn what changes are expected. Learn more!
CARM 104: How to Get Ready and What to Expect for CARM Release 2
On Demand Webinar: Hear from Delmar’s expert Canadian trade compliance managers on what actions need to be taken by importers to be ready for CARM Release 2 and what changes to expect. Learn more & watch!
FAQs: Have questions about Release 2? Browse through our CARM 104 FAQs webpage to find answers to common questions raised.
CARM 103: Basic Principles of CARM Release 2
On Demand Webinar: Joined by a special guest panelist from NFP Canada, Delmar’s Customs Brokerage specialists will take participants through the basic principles of CARM Release 2 in preparation for 2024. Learn about financial security, new billing cycles and accounting processes, bonds, and more. Learn more & watch!
FAQs: Have questions about the CARM Client Portal? Browse through our CARM 103 FAQs webpage to find answers to common questions raised.
CARM 102: Importers’ Guide to CBSA’s CARM Client Portal
On Demand Webinar: Join CBSA expert panelists and Delmar’s Customs Brokerage specialists as they take you through a step-by-step demonstration of the CARM Client Portal using video and screenshot presentations to simplify your CARM onboarding experience. Learn more & watch!
FAQs: Have questions about the CARM Client Portal? Browse through our CARM 102 FAQs webpage to find answers to common questions raised.
CARM 101: Everything You Need to Know
On Demand Webinar: Learn from industry experts who will take you through changes from the launch of CARM to how they will affect Canadian resident and non-resident importers. Learn more & watch!
FAQs: Have questions about the CARM program? Browse through our CARM 101 FAQs to find answers to common questions raised.