Canada is changing the way U.S. businesses interact with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). Starting in October 2024, CBSA’s Assessment and Revenue Management (CARM) system will become mandatory for the entire trade community. From that point on, CARM will be used to submit duty and tax payments to CBSA and manage other customs-related interactions.
If your business is not registered with CARM, you will not be able to complete the importation process. This will mean delayed shipments and disappointed Canadian customers.
Becoming CARM-ready involves a few steps. You’ll need to register with the CARM client portal and ensure your trade partners have access to your account. And you may need to obtain a customs bond. This is because CBSA will no longer allow importers to rely on bonds secured by their customs broker.
First though, you need a basic understanding of CARM. What is it, and why it was developed? Our new white paper, “CARM: U.S. Exporters and Canada’s New Import Management System” provides this information and includes a checklist for getting started.
As the paper makes clear, CARM is the biggest change – in decades – to CBSA’s customs management process. Among the system’s key benefits:
- Electronic payment of duties and taxes.
- Real-time account access, including payment history and pending activity.
- Many self-service “tools” that help ensure accuracy in completing required documentation.
CARM has been in development for more than 10 years. The system will simplify interactions with CBSA and allow businesses greater visibility into their customs-related activities. Our whitepaper helps explain CARM with discussion on topics that include:
- Historical Background.
- What’s Changing/Key Benefits.
- Steps for becoming “CARM-Ready.”
- Where to look for help.
The whitepaper also highlights the importance of enlisting an experienced cross-border logistics provider. A qualified provider will manage your shipments from pickup in the United States, through the border clearance process, and into the Canadian market for final delivery. Not all logistics providers have the same capabilities though, so it’s important to choose one with extensive capabilities in the Canadian market, including customs expertise.
The CARM system becomes mandatory in October 2024. Ensure your business is ready.