CBSA Consultation – have your voice heard!
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The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has opened a significant consultation that could directly affect import operations across Canada. With many members having faced challenges during the CARM implementation, this consultation offers an important opportunity to share feedback aimed at improving operational flexibility for Canadian businesses.
The CBSA is seeking input on potential scenarios that would allow customs brokers to use their own business numbers to submit accounting declarations on behalf of importers who have not yet registered in the CARM system. This discussion comes in preparation for the January 1, 2026, implementation date, when amendments to the Customs Act will make importers of record jointly and severally liable for duties and taxes.
How to participate
Send an email to cbsa.licensing_unit-unite_agrements.asfc@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca.
Who is the focus of this consultation
The CBSA is seeking feedback from:
- commercial importers
- customs brokers
- trade chain partners
- industry associations
- other government departments
- other interested stakeholders
Key questions for input
- Your ideas and input are sought around the following questions and related themes:
- What benefits do you see for businesses and the public by allowing the use of the customs broker BN in these circumstances?
- Do you foresee any operational and business impacts by allowing the use of the customs broker BN in these circumstances?
- Are there specific situations or sectors that may face challenges with the use of the customs broker BN in these circumstances?
- Should any other scenario for use of the customs broker business number without the importer registering in CARM be considered, for example, for large sporting events?
- How can the CBSA better support infrequent importers (those importing less than 10 times per year)?
- How can a fully licensed customs broker better serve infrequent importers (those importing less than 10 times per year) and what can the CBSA do to support this?
- How can a fully licensed customs broker serve small businesses (defined as a companies with 1 to 99 paid employees) that import goods into Canada and what can the CBSA to do support this?
- Do you envision new business opportunities for companies or other entities to support small businesses that import goods into Canada under this framework?
