CARM (CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management) is mandatory for Canadian importers of record. CARM Client Portal handles entries, payments, accounting, and most CBSA interactions. Enrollment requires security setup, payment authorization, and broker linkages. Peacock Tariff Consulting handles CARM enrollment as a fixed-fee project (typically 4-8 weeks) plus ongoing operations support.
CARM has replaced legacy CBSA accounting and revenue systems. Importers of record into Canada must use CARM Client Portal for entry accounting, payments, and most CBSA-side interactions.
For Canadian SMBs that have not yet enrolled, or that enrolled minimally and now need ongoing operational support, this guide covers the requirements and our service model.
What CARM requires
Mandatory enrollment for importers of record. CARM Client Portal account setup, security clearance, payment authorization (typically EFT), broker linkage if using a customs broker, and ongoing portal use for all entry-related activities.
Enrollment timeline
Typical end-to-end: 4-8 weeks. Security clearance is the longest step. Payment authorization can be done in parallel. Broker linkage is fast once both parties have CARM accounts.
Common enrollment problems
Security clearance delays, payment authorization mismatches with banking records, broker POA scope issues, importer-of-record vs. ultimate-importer confusion. Most are procedural and can be solved with proper preparation.
Ongoing CARM operations
Daily/weekly: entry monitoring, payment management, classification corrections, USMCA preference claims, surtax compliance. For SMBs without dedicated trade compliance staff, we provide ongoing CARM support as a monthly retainer.
CARM and TCV (audit) interaction
CARM data is visible to CBSA TCV teams. Patterns visible in CARM (high-frequency PSCs, USMCA preference claims, surtax declarations) feed TCV risk targeting. Clean CARM data reduces audit risk.
Frequently asked questions
Is CARM enrollment mandatory?
Yes for importers of record. CARM Client Portal is required for entry accounting, payment, and most CBSA interactions.
How long does CARM enrollment take?
Typically 4-8 weeks end-to-end. Security clearance is the bottleneck.
Can my customs broker enroll me in CARM?
No. The importer must enroll itself in CARM. Brokers can be linked once both parties are enrolled.
What if I have not yet enrolled?
Enroll immediately. Operating without CARM enrollment as an importer of record creates compliance risk.
What does CARM enrollment cost?
CBSA does not charge for CARM enrollment. Consultant fees for handled-for-you enrollment: $4,500-$9,500 depending on complexity.
Get started
Need to enroll in CARM? We handle the full enrollment as a fixed-fee project.