If your business imports products, you have to register for the Canada Border Services Agency Assessment and Revenue Management System, known as CARM.

And this applies to businesses who import items only once or twice a year, to businesses who import consistently.

Michelle Auger (Oh-Jhay), a senior policy analyst with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business explains the purpose of CARM.

“CARM is an online portal that aims to streamline the way taxes and duties are collected on goods that are imported into Canada. This is the go-to system that will be used by all importers in Canada in order to get their goods across the border.”

CARM’s original mandatory start date was mid-May, but due to low registration at this time and the need for training, the CBSA has pushed the date to mid-October.

Auger says nearly two thirds of small or micro-businesses have been involved with importing to some level, but they may not have the same capacity as larger businesses to manage the intricacies of CARM.  

She says the CFIB is happy with the extension to the registration deadline.

Learn more about CARM and how it might impact your business.  Catch the interview with Auger at thompsononline.ca.