(905) 855-1334 info@traderscb.com

CARM Resources

Traders provides guidance and resources to help you manage your obligations under the CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management (CARM) system — from portal registration to Release Prior to Payment and financial security.

Get Help With CARM
View Official CBSA Resources

What Is CARM?

CARM is the Canada Border Services Agency’s electronic system for assessing and collecting duties and taxes on commercial goods imported into Canada. It has been the CBSA’s official system of record since October 2024. Through the CARM Client Portal, importers can:

  • Access account-based reporting and statements
  • Manage payments for duties and taxes
  • Enrol in programs such as Release Prior to Payment (RPP)
  • Manage their compliance obligations

This page serves as a hub for key resources, guidance, and forms to help you manage your CBSA account with confidence.

What You’re Responsible for as an Importer

Under CARM, certain obligations rest with the importer and cannot be delegated to a customs broker:

Registering your business in the CARM Client Portal. Registration uses your CRA Business Number and import program (RM) account, and portal access is controlled by your business — you designate your own account managers.

Posting your own financial security for Release Prior to Payment. Importers who want their goods released before duties and taxes are paid must enrol in RPP and post financial security — a security agreement (bond) through a financial security provider, or a cash deposit — in their own portal account. Importers can no longer operate under a broker’s security.

Meeting updated security requirements. The CBSA recalculates each importer’s required security amount annually based on transaction history. If your requirement increases, you must meet the new amount by the CBSA’s stated deadline to keep RPP benefits.

Delegating portal access. To have Traders transact business on your behalf within CARM, you approve that delegation inside your own portal account.

Without RPP, duties and taxes must be paid before goods are released — which can mean slower, manual processing at the border.

How Traders Can Help

While CARM requires importers to manage their own accounts, Traders supports you at every step:

CARM Account Setup

Setup guidance for resident and non-resident clients, for both importer and exporter accounts — including registration walkthroughs and portal orientation.

Release Prior to Payment (RPP) Assistance

Guidance on RPP enrolment, understanding your calculated security requirement, and arranging Importer Security Bonds (ISB) through financial security providers.

Reporting & Payment Guidance

Answers to questions about your statements, reporting obligations, and account-based payments.

Compliance Documentation Support

Help ensuring your customs documentation is complete and consistent with what’s declared in CARM.
Get Help With CARM

Key Documents & Links

Official CBSA resources

Important Forms

CARM Client Number Application

Account Set-Up Forms

Reporting & Payment Templates

CARM Questions We Hear Often

Can Traders register in the CARM Client Portal for me?
Registration must be completed by your business, since portal access belongs to the importer. We guide you through each step and, once registered, you can delegate authority so we can transact business on your behalf.
What happens if I don’t post financial security?
Without security posted, you can’t benefit from Release Prior to Payment — duties and taxes must be paid before your goods are released, which typically means slower processing at the border.
How much financial security do I need?
The CBSA calculates your requirement based on your account’s transaction history, and the amount is visible in your CARM Client Portal. Requirements are reviewed annually. We can help you interpret your requirement and arrange security.
I’m a non-resident importer. Does CARM apply to me?
Yes — non-resident importers have the same registration and security obligations. We provide setup support specifically for non-resident clients. Learn more about our non-resident importer services.

Need Assistance With CARM or Your CBSA Account?

Email: info@traderscb.com
Phone: (905) 855-1334

Get Help With CARM
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