Mastering the CARM Client Portal: A Guide to Direct Payments

In the current CARM environment, the responsibility for paying duties and taxes has shifted from customs brokers to the Importer of Record. To stay compliant and avoid late-payment interest, follow this guide to managing your financial obligations directly through the CARM Client Portal (CCP).

1. Accessing Your Statement of Account (SOA)
   Before paying, you need to know exactly what is due. Log into the CARM Client Portal on the 25th of each month to download your SOA. This document summarizes all duties, taxes, interest, and credits applied to your account.
2. Choosing Your Payment Method
   The CBSA provides several electronic channels to ensure your account remains in good standing:

   Pre-Authorized Debit (PAD): The most efficient "set-and-forget" method for high-volume importers. Once configured in the CARM Client Portal, funds are automatically withdrawn from your Canadian bank account on the due date. Note: PAD setup must be completed at least 10 days before the payment deadline.

   Online Banking (Bill Payment): Add "CBSA CARM" as a payee through your financial institution. Use your 15-digit Business Number RM account as the account number for the payee. This is ideal for businesses that prefer manual control over every transaction.

   Credit Card: Best for smaller or one-off payments. The CBSA accepts Visa, Mastercard, and American Express via the CARM Client Portal, but a strict limit of $4,999.99 per 24-hour period applies.

   Debit Card: Visa Debit and Mastercard Debit are accepted through the CARM Client Portal. Unlike credit cards, there is no CBSA-imposed limit on debit transactions (though your bank's daily transfer limits still apply).

   EDI (Electronic Data Interchange): Typically used by large enterprises or those with custom accounting software to transmit payment instructions directly to the CBSA.

3. Important Deadlines

   Payment Due Date: Generally 10 weekdays after the 17th of the month following the reporting period. Refer to the CARM Statement of Account for the correct Payment Due Date information.

   Late Penalties: The CBSA applies interest to any outstanding balances after the due date. Monitoring your "Daily Notices" in the CCP is the best way to catch discrepancies before they become overdue.

4. JBE can help
   As your dedicated customs broker, JBE can make payments to the CBSA on your behalf. Please contact us at [email protected]

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