Get started with CARM
Importers must post their financial security before
Importers now have until 3 am EDT on May 20, 2025, to post their financial security in the CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management (CARM) system. Read more: Changes to the Release Prior to Payment Program
The CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management (CARM) system is the official system of record for the collection of duties and taxes for commercial goods imported into Canada. Importers and other trade chain partners that register their businesses in the CARM Client Portal can manage their accounts and access other online services from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).
Prepare to register in the CARM Client Portal
Have all of the information you need to register ready.
Canada Revenue Agency 9-digit business number (mandatory)
Businesses must have a business number to complete the CARM Client Portal registration process. A business number is a 9-digit number (BN9) generated by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
Resident business: Most new resident businesses are able to obtain a BN9 during the portal registration process in the CARM portal. Exceptions, including trusts or other entity types, must register for a business number with the CRA before attempting to register in the CARM Client Portal.
Non-resident business: Non-resident businesses must request their BN9 from the CRA before attempting to register their business in the portal. Failure to do so will cause a registration error and you will need to contact the CARM Client Support Helpdesk to resolve.
More information:
Getting or making changes to a 9-digit business number
Import-export program (RM) account
The RM is a 6-digit number (example: RM0001) that businesses get when they enrol in a CBSA commercial program.
If you already have one or more RM number, you will need to input this information when you register.
If you do not have a RM number, you may enrol for a commercial program when you register your business in the CARM Client Portal.
More information:
User guide: Enrol in a CBSA Program
Program identification numbers
In addition to the import-export program RM account number, carriers, freight forwarders, warehouses and duty-free shops receive a unique 4-character program identification number.
Important: If you already had a BN9 and a program identification (program ID) number before CARM launched, but no RM account number, you must submit an online client support form for the CARM Client Program Administration (CCPA) unit to link your BN9 and program ID before attempting to register in the CARM Client Portal.
Be sure to include both the existing BN9 and program ID (for example, a carrier code) on the online form and enter the following in the description field: “Request CCPA to link BN9 to CBSA program account (carrier code/warehouse).”
You will receive an email confirmation when your numbers are linked. Once you receive the email, you may continue registering your business in the portal.
Create your user profile
Each CARM portal user must create their own sign-in credential and user profile.
Consult User guide: Onboarding to the CARM Client Portal for a step-by-step how to guide to create your user profile and sign in.
If you are registering the business in the CARM Client Portal, select “Register my business” on the “First Time Setup Page.”
If you wish to access your employer’s account, select “Request access to my employer” on the “First Time Setup Page.”
Important: The first user to register the business in the portal automatically becomes the business account manager (BAM). The BAM is the person who actions employee access requests.
Once the BAM has registered the business in the portal, we recommend that you assign a second business account manager as a backup. Consult User guide: Delegation of Authority in the CARM Client Portal for instructions on this process.
Registering a business in the portal
Regardless of what type of trade chain partner you are, to continue to conduct business with the CBSA for commercial and trade purposes, your business account manager (BAM) must register your business in the CARM portal. The registration process will differ depending on your business type.
This section contains registration resources and program enrolment guidance for each type of trade chain partner.
Importer
Importers need to register their business in the CARM portal themselves. Customs brokers cannot register their client’s business on their behalf.
While registering, importers that use the services of third parties (for example, a customs broker or trade consultant) should review their delegation of authorities.
Importers should also consider enrolling in the Release Prior to Payment Program and review their financial security component of the enrolment.
More information:
- Memorandum D17-1-8: Release Prior to Payment Privilege
- User guide:
- Delegation of Authority on the CARM Client Portal
- Enrol in a CBSA Sub-Program
- Post Financial Security
Customs broker
You must be registered in the CARM Client Portal to continue providing customs related services to your clients. Request a business relationship with your client in the portal so they are able to delegate authority to you.
More information:
- Licensed customs brokers: general information on being a broker
- D1-8-1: Licensing of Customs Brokers: applying for a customs brokers license and the conditions under which they must operate
Customs bonded warehouse (CBW)
When you register your business in the CARM Client Portal, enrol in the CBW program. This program allows you to operate a public or private sector warehouse regulated by the CBSA.
More information:
Customs bonded warehouses: program details and how to do business with the CBSA in the CARM Client Portal
Carrier or freight forwarder
The carrier code allows the CBSA to identify carriers and freight forwarders. It is mandatory for businesses transporting goods into Canada.
New carriers and freight forwarders can request a carrier code for their carrier type (air, highway, marine, rail or freight forwarder) in the CARM Client Portal when registering.
More information:
Commercial carrier and freight forwarder identification and eligibility
Important: New carriers and freight forwarders must apply for a carrier code using their own portal BN9 account. Consultants cannot apply for a carrier code on behalf of their clients using their BN9.
If you already have a carrier code, please contact the CARM client service and helpdesk using the “request to link” steps found under the program identification numbers section before attempting to register in the portal.
Exporter
You need a valid business number (BN) and RM export program identifier, before you can submit an export declaration.
To register for a BN and/or RM export program identifier, enrol for the exporter program in the CARM Client Portal.
The CBSA exporter program allows exporters to report commercial goods being exported from Canada. This includes non-resident exporters residing outside of Canada.
Exporters also use their business number (BN9) and RM export program identifier to register in the Canadian Export Reporting System (CERS) or for G7 EDI (electronic data interchange). Exporters may submit export declarations using either method.
More information:
Third party
Trade chain partners offering support services to customs and trade businesses may enrol in the CBSA third party program. Eligible businesses include:
- EDI service providers
- surety companies
- trade consultants
- shipping agents
- lawyers
- accountants
- non-resident exporters/producers or vendors
To conduct business in the CARM portal, third parties need to:
- create a user profile
- link their business in the portal
- ask their client to establish a business relationship by sending a delegation of authority request
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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