Importing goods from China into Canada? Before your shipment arrives, make sure your Canadian import account is ready.
Under CARM (CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management), commercial importers manage their customs accounts, duties, taxes, and broker authorization through the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).
The CARM Client Portal is where much of that work happens. You can use it to register your business, authorize a customs broker, review transactions, and manage payments.
Register Your Business in the CARM Client Portal
Businesses importing commercial goods into Canada generally need to register in CARM, including non-resident importers acting as the importer of record.
Before starting, check that you have the necessary business information:
- Business Number (BN9): Your nine-digit business identifier from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
- Import program account (RM): Your import account, which combines with your BN9 to form a 15-character identifier.
- CARM user account: Your access to the portal for managing customs-related activities.
If you’re a non-resident importer without a BN9, you’ll generally need to obtain one through the CRA first.
To complete your CARM registration:
- Create a user profile in the portal.
- Register your business or request access to its existing account.
- Confirm or set up your importer RM account.
- Assign the appropriate access and permissions.
Access the official CARM Client Portal or consult the CBSA’s registration instructions.
Your Customs Broker Still Needs Authorization
Hiring a customs broker does not automatically give that broker access to your CARM account.
Your business must grant the appropriate delegation of authority through the portal before the broker can perform relevant customs activities on your behalf.
This matters especially if you’ve previously relied on a broker to manage most of your customs paperwork.
The broker can assist with customs declarations and clearance procedures, but the importer remains responsible for its customs account and applicable duties and taxes.
Registered Doesn't Mean Ready for Cargo Release
A CARM account is only one part of your customs setup.
If you want CBSA to release eligible goods before you pay the applicable duties and taxes, you need Release Prior to Payment (RPP) privileges.
To participate in RPP, importers must enrol and provide the required financial security. They cannot simply rely on their customs broker’s security.
Without RPP, you generally need to complete the applicable accounting and payment requirements before CBSA releases your goods.
For shipments arriving from China, an active CARM account and a confirmed freight booking are not enough on their own. The importer must also meet the relevant customs release requirements.
Before Your Shipment Leaves China
Once your Chinese supplier confirms the cargo is ready, check the Canadian import arrangements before dispatch.
Your pre-shipment checklist:
- Confirm that your business has the necessary CARM registration and importer account.
- Check that your customs broker has the required authorization.
- Verify your RPP enrolment and financial security if you plan to use release before payment.
- Review commercial invoices, packing lists, and product information with your customs broker.
- CARM registration does not replace the customs requirements, including accurate tariff classification and applicable import permits.
With those arrangements in place, you can focus on moving the cargo. ASLG can coordinate shipping from China to Canada by air or sea, tailored to your shipment requirements.
