Border Assessment and Revenue Management System will be postponed for trade chain partners until October

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) welcomes the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)’s decision to reschedule the public launch of its mandatory portal for trade chain partners from May to October 2024.

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) Assessment and Revenue Management System (CARM) will come into effect for trade chain partners in October 2024. It will require all importers to use CARM to do business internationally. However, only a quarter (25%) of small- and medium-sized businesses involved in trade are currently registered, reveals a new CFIB survey.

“We’re glad to hear small businesses will be given more time to register with CARM, given the learning curve with this new system. The increased compliance burden and complicated registration process are already deterring some businesses from scaling up or getting involved in international trade at all. The government agencies must ensure that businesses have enough time, help and resources to navigate the new system, so there are no supply chain impacts and delays at the borders,” said Corinne Pohlmann, Executive Vice-President of Advocacy at CFIB.

In the past three years, nearly two-thirds (65 per cent) of SMEs imported goods, services or both. Although the smaller the business the less likely it is to import, about half of micro-businesses with one to four employees have been involved in importing.

“Small businesses import goods for a variety of reasons: to expand, meet customer demand or access specialized materials. But nearly half of them don’t import that often, about once or twice a year, so having to learn how to use a new complex platform is overwhelming and time-consuming for them,” Pohlmann added. 

Among those not registered to CARM, about half are just not aware of it, 22 per cent are not sure whether CARM applies to their business, 16 per cent are relying on their brokers and 11per cent are confused by the registration process. More than half (55 per cent) also felt like they didn’t know if CARM had considered the realities of small businesses mostly because they are unaware of what it is and how it works.

“On top of the daunting and confusing platform, business owners are also concerned about the accuracy and consistency of CARM’s assessments,” said Michelle Auger, CFIB’s senior policy analyst. “With limited resources and knowledge in customs procedures, business owners are now put at a competitive disadvantage and are more likely to make mistakes, which could result in costly penalties and non-compliance.”

The CBSA and border agencies should prioritize education and support over penalties during the first few years of CARM’s full implementation, and not just the first 180 days. CFIB also recommends: 

• Enhancing CARM communications and information by creating tools tailored to SMEs and ensuring that the CBSA website content is in plain language.
• Ensuring that all regulatory and policy changes include a comprehensive communication plan aimed at small businesses.
• Providing alternative options to CARM, such as using a broker for all the small firms’ importing needs, especially for those small businesses that do not engage in trade on a regular basis.