CARM RPP Compliance: What Canadian Importers Must Do Before May 20, 2025

Created by Tony Holbrook, Modified on Fri, 16 May at 6:41 PM by Mark Morales

Why This Matters to Your Business

Starting May 20, 2025, at 3:00 AM ET, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is enforcing new rules under the CARM (CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management) system.
If you want to continue using Release Prior to Payment (RPP), which lets you release goods before paying duties and taxes, you must post a financial security (bond) in the CARM portal.

If you don't act by the deadline:

Your shipments will likely be rejected at the transmission stage.
You will lose the ability to defer duties and taxes, affecting cash flow.

Quick Summary of What You Need to Do

✅ Step 1: Confirm your CARM Portal registration

Ensure your business is registered on the CARM Client Portal.

✅ Step 2: Check your required bond amount

Log into the portal and check the System Calculated Security Requirement—this tells you the bond value you need.

✅ Step 3: Choose your bonding option

You can select from:

Option 1: Cash Bond (posted directly in CARM Portal)
Option 2: Surety Bond (via our partner Rutherford Global)

✅ Step 4: Act before May 20, 2025

Submit your bond in the CARM portal to avoid losing your RPP privileges.

Option 1: How to Post a Cash Bond (Self-Serve)

Log in to the CARM Client Portal.
Go to Accounts and Profiles > Program Account Profile > Sub-programs.
Select Enroll in Release Prior to Payment (RPP).
Review your calculated security requirement (this is the bond value).
Choose Cash Bond.
Follow the prompts to make a payment (note: payments over $5,000 require multiple transactions).
Allocate the payment as a security deposit inside the portal.
Confirm bond status shows as "requested" or "active."

➡ Follow the steps listed above directly inside your CARM Client Portal when selecting the Cash Bond option.

For step-by-step visual support, visit CBSA's official Cash Bond guide here.

Option 2: Get a Surety Bond (No Upfront Cash)

ShipSavvy recommends using our trusted partner, William L. Rutherford’s, for surety bonds.

How to apply:

Log into your CARM portal to retrieve your exact bond amount.
Email Anna Tortorici at Rutherford Global at rutherford@shipsavvy.com
Include the following in your email:
- Subject: "Surety Bond Request – ShipSavvy Client"
- Company name and exact bond amount from CARM.
- Names of your corporate officers.
- Statement that you formally request a bond from Rutherford.

Rutherford will reply with any forms or verifications needed.

Note:

Rutherford will handle the bonding directly—ShipSavvy is not facilitating the bond application on your behalf.
Please act immediately due to the upcoming deadline.

Key Deadlines & Risks

Deadline	Risk if Missed
May 20, 2025, 3:00 AM ET	Loss of RPP privileges; duties/taxes must be paid upfront.
Immediate	Potential shipment rejection if bond not posted in time.

FAQs

What is RPP?

RPP allows importers to release goods before duties and taxes are paid—critical for cash flow management.

What happens if I don’t act?

Your shipments will be blocked at the border until duties/taxes are fully paid.

Can ShipSavvy help with the bond?

No. For the Surety Bond option, clients must contact Rutherford directly.

Where can I get help with the CARM portal?

Visit the CBSA official CARM support page.