- Workplace Type: On-site
CBSA/CARM Importer Requirements
Step 3: Post financial security on the CCP
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Under CARM, importers are required to provide their own financial security to the CBSA, either through a cash deposit or a surety bond (written security agreement).
The CARM deadline to post financial security to maintain RPP status has ended, and active importers must now post security and enrol in the RPP program through the CCP to streamline their imports.
Follow the steps on this page to submit your financial security and enrol in the RPP program.
Want to learn more about financial security for CARM? Speak to one of our customs professionals for guidance.
Before you start
What is RPP?
The RPP (Release Prior to Payment) program entitles importers who have posted financial security with the CBSA to:
- Obtain the release of goods from the CBSA before paying duties and taxes.
- Defer accounting for goods.
- Defer payment of duties and taxes.
Importers who have not posted financial security and have not enroled in RPP will be required to pay duties and taxes to the CBSA at the time of import for the release of their goods.
Why is financial security needed?
To participate in the RPP program under CARM, importers must post financial security with the CBSA. This security protects the government in case duties and taxes are not paid. Financial security is mandatory to qualify for RPP privileges.
Note that RPP enrolment and security are required for each active import account (RM).
What are the available financial security options?
Importers can choose between the following two options for each active import account (RM)
1
Security deposit (Cash bond)
A security deposit involves posting funds directly with the CBSA to secure your account. This option may be suitable for smaller importers
What you need to know about security deposits:
- Must be equal to 100% of your highest monthly accounts payable (including duties and taxes) to the CBSA over a 12-month period.
- Funds are held by the CBSA, and requirements are adjusted based on activity.
- No annual premiums or renewal requirements.
- Involves an upfront payment.
- Recommended only if bonding is unavailable or impractical.
A cash deposit may not be ideal for large or growing import volumes. That’s because it ties up company funds that could otherwise be used to support operations or be larger than bond costs.
ProTip: The CCP shows a system-calculated security requirement based on your 12-month period of payables. If you don’t have 12 months of history, the system might show $0. In this case, enter a reasonable estimate and update the amount as your activity changes.
2
Surety bond (written security agreement)
A surety bond is the most common and flexible form of financial security. It is provided by a surety company (which can be arranged through your customs broker) and guarantees payment of duties and taxes up to a specified limit.
What you need to know about bonds:
- The bond amount will need to cover 50% of your highest monthly accounts payable (including duties and taxes) to the CBSA over a specified 12-month period.
- The minimum bond amount is $5,000 per import program (BN15), while the maximum is $10 million.
- Premiums are a fraction of the bond amount and may vary depending on market demand and provider (you don’t pay the bond value itself).
- Renewable annually, but the CBSA may request an increase at any time.
- The CBSA monitors bond utilization in real time through the CARM Client Portal (CCP).
- Can be obtained through your customs broker or directly from a CBSA-approved financial security provider.
Example: If your highest monthly CBSA payable is $200,000, your bond amount must be $100,000. If it’s $80,000, your bond amount must be $40,000.
A bond is generally the preferred option for importers with ongoing import activity, as it offers convenience, flexibility, and minimal cash payments upfront.
ProTip: Consider keeping a small buffer above the 50% requirement to accommodate increases in your import activities.
How to enrol in RPP and post financial security under CARM
The RPP enrolment process must be done in the CCP by a Business or Program Manager. Your preferred security method should be determined prior to enroling in the RPP program.
If a surety bond has been selected, ensure your provider or broker has confirmed that the bond is completed and/or has provided the details to you prior to beginning RPP enrolment. Most often, bond information will be transmitted by the provider to CARM and be populated accordingly in the RPP process.
Step 1: Sign in to the portal
- Visit the CARM Client Portal.
- Use your GCKey or sign-in partner to log in.
Step 2: Enrol in the RPP program
To post financial security in the CARM Client Portal (CCP), you first need to begin enrolment in the Release Prior to Payment (RPP) sub-program. Ensure your CCP page reflects the account (RM) to which RPP and security apply.
- From the CCP homepage or menu, click Accounts and profiles.
- Click Program account profile.
- Click the Sub-Programs tab.
- Click Enrol in a sub-program.
- Select the radio button for Release Prior to Payment (RPP), then click Enrol in the sub-program.
- Scroll down to System calculated security requirement under the Calculated security requirement section.
- Select No to answer: Are you requesting a modification to the security requirement calculated by the CBSA?
- On the next page, which is the Bond list, click Add bond.
- You will be taken to the Post security page to choose your preferred bond type.
ProTip: Before confirming enrolment, check the system-calculated amount against your own review for the highest AP from the past 12 months (SOAs). If the figure calculated by the portal is skewed and higher than it should be, speak to your bond provider or broker to confirm the review period calculations. You can request a modification by answering Yes in step 7 above if applicable.
Step 3: Post security for RPP enrolment
You will need to post and link security to cover your calculated requirement and continue your enrolment application.
To post a security deposit (cash bond):
- From the Post security bond page, select Cash and click Next.
- Fill in all the details on the next page (bond number/reference number, CBSA program, program account number, bond amount, and validity period) and then click Submit.
- You will be taken to the Confirmation of successful bond posting page. Click Make a payment.
- Enter the amount you would like to pay and click Make payment.
- Once you have read the terms and conditions, check the box beside I have read, understood, and agree to the Terms and Conditions listed above. Click Agree.
- Enter your card information and click Pay.
- Once the payment is processed, you will see the transaction details. You can print or save the receipt for your records by clicking Print.
- On the same page, click the Back button to continue your RPP enrolment.
- You will be taken to the Bond list page. Under the Add bond & Submit step, click Allocate credit.
- Select the correct Security Deposit (SD) line amount and then click Submit.
- You will receive a Confirmation of successful credit allocation message. Click Return to enrolment to continue with the enrolment process.
- The system will take you back to the Sub-Programs tab. Click the $Deposit icon at the bottom of the page.
- The system will take you back to the Bond list page. Under the Add bond & Submit step, the status will now be Active. Click Submit security.
- A Confirmation of successful enrolment message will now appear, verifying that you are now enroled in RPP.
ProTip: Payment alone doesn’t complete RPP enrolment. After paying the deposit, you must allocate the credit to the Security Deposit (SD) line and then submit security on the Bond list to activate coverage. If the submit option is greyed out, check that you have sufficient security coverage.
To post a security bond:
Not sure whether to post a cash deposit or a surety bond, or how much coverage you need? Our customs professionals can help you calculate your security, arrange for a bond if you need one, and guide you through RPP enrolment.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How is financial security calculated for RPP?
Financial security is calculated as follows:
- For cash deposits, at least 100% of your highest monthly Accounts Payable (AP) within the last 12 months (no minimum).
- For security bonds, at least 50% of your highest monthly Accounts Payable (AP) within the past 12 months. Minimum $5,000 per RM account, capped at $10 million per RM.
What does “Accounts Payable (AP)” include?
What types of financial institutions can issue security bonds?
How do I link my security bond to the RPP program?
Can I use a single deposit or bond for multiple importer accounts?
Can I use a one-time (single-entry) financial security agreement?
How is financial security monitored, and when will I be nudged?
What happened to Legacy Security programs (Importer Direct Program)?
Does CBSA perform RPP security reviews?
How can I view my financial security coverage in the CCP?
How do I update a surety bond in the CCP?
How do I update a cash security deposit in the CCP?
Still have questions?
Speak to a customs professional from the Cole team. We’re here to help you stay compliant, every step of the way.
Next steps
With security posted, you’re now ready to review your CARM Account, check recent transactions, and download your monthly Statement of Account (SOA).
