Understanding the CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management (CARM) Initiative

The CCP was launched on May 25, 2021 but commercial importers are not mandated to register until Release 2 (Spring 2022), when all interactions with the CBSA will be done through the CCP. Businesses are encouraged to register and provide us with their Delegation of Authority before Release 2, to avoid shipment delays related to CARM.

Register for CCP

All CBSA trade chain partners (TCPs): Commercial Importers, Customs Brokers, Trade Consultants, Surety Companies, Carriers, Foreign producers/exporters, and industry professionals (e.g., lawyers, accountants, shipping agents).

The option to pay the CBSA directly is currently available under Release 1, however, payment for the applicable duties and/or taxes on shipments handled by FedEx Express should continue to be made to FedEx Express, also listed as Federal Express Canada Corporation (FedEx Express). Any payment made directly to the CBSA prior to Release 2 (Spring 2022) will result in a duplicate payment with the CBSA.

Beginning in Release 2 (Spring 2022), you will need to advise FedEx Express how you intend to pay your import duties and taxes for all shipments where FedEx Express acts as your customs broker. You cannot select different payment options for different shipments. Your options include:

1. FedEx Express continues to pay on your behalf or;
2. You pay the CBSA directly via the CCP
   
   

Additional documentation may also be required. If you decide to pay the CBSA directly for your import duties and taxes after Release 2, you will not receive an invoice from FedEx Express for those amounts.

Yes. Direct payment to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is an option, however it is not mandatory. FedEx Express will continue to accept payment on your behalf for importing commercial goods into Canada, including the collection of duties and taxes, until you provide notification that you would like to pay the CBSA directly.

Yes. Any outstanding invoices with FedEx Express will need to be paid to FedEx prior to Release 2 (Spring 2022). FedEx Express is required to pay for any duties and taxes we account on your behalf with the CBSA. If you pay CBSA through the CCP for a shipment handled by FedEx Express then this will incur a duplicate payment with the CBSA and you will need to request a refund from the CBSA by contacting the CARM Client Support Helpdesk (CCSH). 

The CCSH can be reached online using the client support contact form. If you experience any difficulties with the form, please contact the CBSA directly at 1.800.461.9999 and select option 2.

Once you create your CCP business account, you will begin receiving requests from your customs broker(s), including Federal Express Canada Corporation to confirm your business relationship. You will need to accept each request by granting each customs broker a specified level of access to your CCP business account depending on the import commercial activities each broker manages on your behalf.

For details, please read the CBSA CARM Solution Spotlight - Delegation of Authority.

If you have already created a CARM Client Portal (CCP) business account, you should receive your notification no later than June 25, 2021. If you create your CCP business account on or after June 25, 2021, the notification will appear when you log in to your account.

If you have a CCP business account and have not received a notification on or after June 25, 2021,

please contact the FedEx Clearance Helpline (CHL) at clearancehelpline@mail.fedex.com or 1.800.561.0268.

Please select 'all programs' for our access level and select 'submitted by Federal Express Canada Corporation' for our transaction visibility. In the future, if FedEx Express requires additional access and/or visibility, we will contact you directly to request the necessary changes.

Delegation of Authority is an additional requirement and does not replace the current requirement for a POA/GAA. This enables your customs broker to access your CCP business account and to manage your commercial importation activities. Access includes, but is not limited to, the accounting of any applicable duties and taxes with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). 

The POA/GAA authorizes your customs broker to act on your behalf for your customs/clearance activities.

Please request this information directly from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) by contacting the CARM Client Support Helpdesk (CCSH) via the online client support contact form and completing the form as follows:

• Select “online portal support” as the topic for your inquiry from the drop-down menu
• Select “CARM Client Portal – setting up my business account” as your question from the drop-down menu
• Type in the following request in the detailed description field, “I would like to request to receive DNs and SOAs.”

Once the CBSA receives your request, they will contact you directly.

For technical issues with the form, please contact the CBSA directly at 1.800.461.9999 and select option 2.

Currently, a customs broker may release your goods using their own Release Prior to Payment (RPP) bond. RPP enables the release of imported goods, prior to accounting and payment of any applicable duties and taxes with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). After Release 2 (Spring 2022), the CBSA requires commercial importers to secure their own bond to maintain their RPP privilege.

If you do not have a bond starting Release 2 (Spring 2022), your imported goods may experience clearance delays or roadblocks under the new requirements. Customs brokers will be unable to process the release for your imported goods electronically (EDI) and would need to submit a manual/paper release request – you would also have the option to do a self-clearance directly with the CBSA (local office). In addition, you would be required to pay the CBSA directly for any applicable duties and/or taxes on your imported goods, in order to obtain the release.

The current process is detailed in the CBSA Memorandum D17-1-8 and is a completely manual/paper-based application requiring wet-signatures. You would be required to determine the appropriate amount of security for your commercial import transactions and submit the bond to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) via courier/registered mail.

This is currently done by working directly with a surety bond company.

Beginning CARM Release 2 (Spring 2022), you will be required to register/create a CCP business account to obtain a release from the CBSA for imported commercial goods.

You must complete the following steps for FedEx Express to process the release and to account for the duties and/or taxes assessed on your imported goods with the CBSA on your behalf:

1. Register for the new CARM Client Portal (CCP). You will be required to designate a Business Account Manager (BAM) from your company who will be responsible for creating and managing the account. A GCKey or a Sign-in Partner are your keys to the CCP registration page.
2. Sign in to the CCP and delegate authority to Federal Express Canada Corporation by accepting the notification you receive from us to confirm our business relationship, through the CCP. This information will help ensure FedEx Express can continue providing customs entry filing, and duty and tax assessment services on your behalf — and keep your shipments moving.
3. Complete our Data Collection Form for FedEx Express. This information will help ensure FedEx Express can continue to accurately manage your imports under CARM, so you can focus on running your business.