| CARM – Process for Importing Goods into Canada
The CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management (CARM) program that began in May of 2024 must be used by businesses that are importing supplies for their businesses or importing goods that will be used, resold, &/or have anything to do with their business.Any applicable tariffs wll be calculated through this process.
If you have not already registered your business on CARM, please review the details below and register as soon as early as possible in April to avoid delays in registration which may impact their May border crossing. There will be no other options for commercial imports.
More details about CARM from CBSA:
For clarification, an “Importer” is considered any person who imports or brings goods into Canada for a business (whether they own or are employed by the businesses or are just going there as a guest). There is an ability to permit people other than the owners to import goods for the business, but indications are it may be complicated.
The CARM Client Portal has been developed to simplify and streamline the border crossing experience for businesses. CARM will allow business owners to complete their list of goods they will be importing with the same details as always in advance of crossing the border. There will be no fees associated with this new process. You can still have access to computers at the border to login to the CARM portal to update or print documents if needed but this new system can also help to avoid all of that. Businesses may still use the services of a customs broker, but you still must register your business through CARM.
There are links to these helpful tools on CBSA’s CARM webpage listed below to help you prepare for and complete your registration.
- User guides
- Registration and learning resources
- Video library
- Common questions
- Client support (phone numbers to reach a real person)
Visit the CARM information page now and get started. |
