Importing Into Canada? A New CBSA Initiative Is Coming

Cross-border shipping

Do you import commercial goods into Canada? A new CBSA initiative is coming that will impact how you pay duties and taxes.

What you need to know

On May 13, 2024, CBSA will change how they assess and collect duties and taxes on imported commercial goods for importers, customs brokers, and trade consultants.

Here’s what you need to know about the new CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management (CARM) system to avoid delays on your cross-border shipments:

  • CARM will become the official system of record for the payment of duties and taxes.
  • The Release Prior to Payment (RPP) program allows goods to be released before duties and taxes are paid and facilitates the movement of goods across the border. To participate in the program, importers will need to post their own financial security (i.e. a surety bond or cash deposit) and pay the Statement of Account (SOA) to CBSA.
  • Goods may be held at the border if importers do not post the appropriate financial security or miss paying the SOA.

How to prepare

  • Register for CBSA CARM to minimize border delays and benefit from the RPP 180-day transition period.
  • Access the CBSA documentation about the portal's onboarding process and functionality.
  • Familiarize yourself with the changes to the RPP program.
  • Learn more about how the program will modernize and streamline the process of importing commercial goods.
  • Prepare your Customs Bonded Warehouse, if applicable.
  • Consult the CBSA Library for instructional videos and the FAQ page for more information.


Looking for more information about cross-border shipping with Day & Ross? We can help you navigate 
shipping requirements on both sides of the US-Canada border.