The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is spearheading a transformative initiative known as the CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management (CARM) project, a multi-year digital endeavor set to revolutionize the way duties and taxes are collected on commercial goods imported into Canada. This project is a significant step towards modernizing and streamlining the accounting processes associated with importing commercial goods.
As part of this initiative, the CBSA has introduced a Client Portal, a self-service tool that is central to facilitating smoother accounting and revenue management processes. The portal is not only accessible to importers and brokers but also to trade consultants who currently submit rulings on behalf of importers. Users who have transitioned to this portal can now easily view transactions, request rulings, and manage payments through new electronic options.
The CARM project is being rolled out in phases, with the first phase, the Accounts Receivable Ledger (ARL), already implemented. The next significant milestone is Release 2, which is slated for a soft launch in October 2023, allowing selected industry partners to test their internal systems and software service providers to certify their software with the CBSA. By May 2024, this release is expected to officially become the system of record for the collection of duties and taxes on commercial goods imported into Canada.
This upcoming release promises several new features, including:
- Electronic commercial accounting declarations that can be corrected and adjusted.
- Modifications to the Release Prior to Payment (RPP) program.
- Harmonized billing cycles and new offsetting options.
- Electronic management of appeals and compliance actions.
- The facility to register for a Business Number (BN9) and enroll in various CBSA commercial programs.
- It is important to note that from this point onwards, the registration for an importer or exporter account will exclusively be available through the Client Portal, as the Canada Revenue Agency will discontinue this service.
In light of these developments, it is imperative for all importers, including non-resident importers (NRIs), to register their companies on the CARM Client Portal and designate their Import Broker. Additionally, providing the CBSA with financial security, like a Customs Bond, for individual accounts is necessary to avail the Release Prior to Payment (RPP) privilege.
We strongly recommend prioritizing the setup of a CARM Client Portal account before the full implementation of Release 2 in May 2024 to avoid potential disruptions. Our partner, Buckland, a Customs Broker in Canada, can help you through this process. Please reach out to Buckland at CARM@Buckland.com for help or questions related to CARM registration and requirements. You can also visit the CBSA website here for more information.