Today, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) Assessment and Revenue Management (CARM) became the official system to assess and collect duties and taxes for commercial goods imported into Canada. The launch of this system represents the culmination of many years of dedicated effort and innovation at the CBSA, engagement with partners, and simulations to enhance the user experience.
As the Government of Canada's second-largest revenue collector after the Canada Revenue Agency, this new system better equips the CBSA to protect and grow $40 billion a year in revenue for Canadians.
CARM also benefits trade chain partners by:
- eliminating cumbersome and time-consuming paper-based processes
- streamlining access to tools and information for importers, giving them the ability to enroll in commercial programs, submit accounting documents and receive notifications through their CARM Client Portal account
- maintaining a level playing field for all businesses by providing the CBSA better compliance and enforcement tools
This important milestone follows broad consultation with stakeholders and extensive system testing to ensure a smooth transition from outdated to modern systems.
The launch of CARM will not affect wait times at the border. The system used by officers at the border to determine the eligibility of commercial goods for entry into Canada will not be changing. Additionally, the CBSA has a detailed contingency plan in place to ensure the continuation of commercial activities in the event of any technical issues.
