CARM Implementation Notice

OTTAWA, 16 SEPT, 2024 – CARM affects all importers. Registration through CBSA's Client Portal is mandatory. If you have any questions, please contact our team

What is CARM?

The CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management (CARM) project is a multi-year initiative that will modernize how the CBSA assesses and collects duties and taxes on commercial goods imported into Canada and manages revenue. On October 21, 2024, CBSA Assessment Revenue Management (CARM) will become the official Customs system of record for the collection of duties and taxes. This system will create new management and compliance responsibilities for you, and it is now critical that you are prepared to mitigate disruptions and costs to your business.

Find CBSA's CARM and contact details here: CARM: Assess and pay duties and taxes on imported commercial goods

CBSA Cutover period: October 4-21, 2024

A cutover period will occur with CBSA to allow for CARM program implementation. During this period, the CARM program will be unavailable. CARM Client Portal (CCP) access and entry accounting will be paused by CBSA. Our Customs Brokers will continue to release and invoice for entries that meet qualifications in this period; however, you must confirm the below preparations are in place as soon as possible and before this cutover date to ensure the provider and business requirements of the new program.

How will this affect importers?

CARM affects all importers. The new CARM initiative is mandatory for all importers, exporters, and non-resident importers to participate in as of its implementation date.

Without an active CARM account, you will not be able to import goods into Canada. 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.

Importers will be expected to make a monthly duty and tax payment to CBSA based on their CARM statement of account each month.

Brokers will no longer be billing duties/taxes to importers.