Commercial importers provided 30-day extension to submit financial security before the end of CARM transition period

When the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) Assessment and Revenue Management (CARM) system was launched externally on October 21, 2024, a 180-day transition period was introduced to grant commercial importers additional time to post their financial security electronically while benefitting from the Release Prior to Payment (RPP) Program. In response to feedback received from stakeholders, the CBSA will grant a 30-day extension to the transition period.

Importers will now have until 3 am EDT on May 20, 2025, to post their financial security in the CARM system. Importers who do not post financial security in CARM by May 20, 2025, will no longer be able to benefit from having their goods released electronically at the border prior to making payment of the duties and taxes. Without RPP, importers will have to pay all duties and taxes before goods can be released.

Once enrolled in the RPP Program, importers are not required to visit a commercial office to pay for the duties and taxes owed at time of release of their commercial shipment. Electronic enrollment also means that importers can avoid longer paper-based processing times. As such, all importers are strongly encouraged to make arrangements to post financial security well before the deadline of May 20, 2025.