CARM RPP security review: increase your security by January 15, 2027

If your CARM Client Portal notice shows a higher required financial security amount, you must update your security by January 15, 2027 to keep Release Prior to Payment (RPP). A written security agreement (surety bond) must cover at least 50% of the CBSA-calculated amount (minimum CAN$5,000); a cash deposit must cover 100%. The maximum is CAN$10 million per RM business account.

Last updated: October 31, 2026

What happened?

Every year on October 20, CBSA sends RPP-enrolled importers a CARM Client Portal notification with their updated required amount. The amount is based on the highest monthly accounts receivable (duties, taxes including GST, surtax and other debts) recorded between October 20 of the previous year and October 19 of the current year. If the revised amount is lower, reducing your security is optional.

Source: CBSA Get ready to enrol in RPP.

What should you do now?

1. Read the notice in the CARM Client Portal. CARM Client Portal
2. Check how the amount is calculated. Get ready to enrol in RPP
3. If using a written security agreement (bond), ask your financial security provider to increase it; they post it in CARM. It must be at least 50% of the requirement, minimum CAN$5,000. D17-5-2
4. If using a deposit, increase your security deposit in the CARM Client Portal (100% of the requirement, no minimum). Get ready to enrol in RPP
5. If you think the amount is too high, you can request a reduction in CARM; reductions need CBSA approval and you may need projections or evidence. Increases need no approval. D17-5-2
6. Finish before January 15, 2027. Get ready to enrol in RPP

FAQ

Not sure what your notice means? Ask your customs broker or surety provider.

Sources

• CBSA Memorandum D17-5-2 (HTML)
• CBSA Memorandum D17-5-2 (PDF)
• CBSA Get ready to enrol in RPP
• CARM Client Portal