Get started with CARM
From the Canada Border Services Agency
The CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management (CARM) will offer significant benefits to our trade chain partners. Find out what you need to do to be ready for May 2024.
Importers
1. Register your business on the CARM Client Portal (the portal) before May 2024. The first time you access the portal, you will create your personal profile and can then register your business account.
Business account manager
The first person to link their personal profile to a business account becomes the business account manager for that company. The business account manager role has the highest level of access to a business account, and is authorized to read, write and edit all business information in the portal.
Businesses should select a second business account manager as a backup.
2. If you use a customs broker:
- delegate authority to them in the portal so that they may continue to act on your behalf in May 2024
- talk to your broker if you have payment arrangements and are considering pre-authorized debit payments on your account
3. System changes:
If you have your own customs software to transmit information to the CBSA electronically, you will need to make systems changes:
- Refer to the Electronic Commercial Client Requirements Document (Chapters 24 and 26) for more details
- Get familiar with publicly available application program interfaces that allow the trade community to transact with the CBSA by emailing: cbsa.carm_engagement-engagement_de_la_gcra.asfc@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca
- If needed, access the list of licensed customs brokers
More information
- Visit Resources to support onboarding to learn how to register via our step-by-step guides and videos
- Learn about the Release Prior to Payment (RPP) program transition period for importers
Customs brokers
1. Register your business on the CARM Client Portal (the portal) before May 2024. The first time you access the portal, you will create your personal profile and can then register your business account.
Business account manager
The first person to link their personal profile to a business account becomes the business account manager for that company. The business account manager role has the highest level of access to a business account, and is authorized to read, write and edit all business information in the portal.
Businesses should select a second business account manager as a backup.
2. Remind your importer clients to create their portal account. They need to delegate authority to your company so that you can conduct business with the CBSA on their behalf.
3. System changes: If you have your own customs software to transmit information to the CBSA electronically, you will need to make system changes:
- Refer to the Electronic commercial client requirements document (Chapters 24 and 26) for more details
- Get familiar with publicly available application program interfaces that allow the trade community to transact with the CBSA by emailing: cbsa.carm_engagement-engagement_de_la_gcra.asfc@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca
Trade consultants
Trade consultants who currently submit rulings on behalf of importers are able to access the CARM Client Portal upon request to the CBSA. Other trade consultants will have access to the portal in May 2024.
If you are a trade consultant, here's how you can prepare:
- Contact client support to request access to the portal
- Set up your user account by signing in using either GCKey or a sign-in partner and link to your business account
- Remind your importer clients to create their portal accounts and delegate authority to you so that you can send rulings requests to the CBSA on their behalf
- In May 2024, new trade consultants will be able to acquire a business number (BN) and program identifier (RM) using the portal
- In May 2024, if you are contracted to review client accounts and submit adjustments, make sure you have been provided delegation of authority by your client in the portal
Financial security providers
Follow these key steps.
Before May 2024:
- continue to provide importers with release prior to payment (RPP) bonds, as per the current practice
- set up your application programing interface solution with the CBSA prior to May 2024 in order to send financial security information to the CBSA
In May 2024:
The CBSA will receive financial security information electronically via an application programing interface. You should:
- get familiar with publicly available application program interfaces that allow the trade community to transact with the CBSA by emailing: cbsa.carm_engagement-engagement_de_la_gcra.asfc@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca
- set up your application programing interface solution with the CBSA prior to Release 2 in order to send bond information to the CBSA
- register with the CBSA and acquire a program identifier (RM) number through the portal to be designated issuer of electronic financial security
Other trade chain partners
When CARM becomes the official system of record all other trade chain partners will be able to use the portal to conduct business with the CBSA such as: exporters (new RM number), lawyers, accountants, carriers, or other services providers.
Details on how these partners can register and access the portal will be shared ahead of May 2024.
Contact us
- CARM Client Support Helpdesk
- Request to get added to our distribution list: cbsa.carm_engagement-engagement_de_la_gcra.asfc@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca
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