Commercial importers can enrol in the Release Prior to Payment (RPP) sub-program through the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) Assessment and Revenue Management (CARM) Client Portal.

The Business Account Manager (BAM) or Program Account Manager (PAM) can enrol the business in RPP through the CARM Client Portal.

Who Can Benefit from RPP

To benefit from RPP, commercial importers must:

• Register in the CARM Client Portal
• Enrol in RPP through the CARM Client Portal
• Post financial security that meets the security requirement calculated by CARM

Note: Since October 21, 2024, importers who choose to enrol in RPP must either obtain a written security agreement from a financial security provider or post the financial security deposit themselves. Although customs brokers can apply credits to an importer’s account, they cannot post a security deposit on behalf of their importer clients, and importers cannot use their customs broker’s security.

Argo Customs Brokers Is at Your Service

If you need help understanding RPP enrolment, financial security requirements, or how to manage your CARM account, Argo Customs Brokers is here to assist.

Contact Argo Customs Brokers today for guidance with RPP enrolment and CARM compliance.

On July 1, 2026, the United States formally declined to renew the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA, T-MEC, CUSMA) during the Agreement’s first mandatory joint review meeting.

In the weeks leading up to the meeting, both Canada and Mexico had formally indicated their intention to renew the Agreement.

The U.S. decision does not terminate the Agreement. Instead, it triggers the Agreement’s annual review mechanism, under which the three parties will meet each year to determine whether the Agreement should be extended before its scheduled expiration in July 2036.

Following the meeting, Canada’s Minister of International Trade and Mexico’s Secretary of Economy requested clarification from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative regarding the proposed timeline for the annual review process. At this time, the United States has not announced the structure or timeline for these annual reviews.

What North American Businesses Need to Know

• There is no immediate impact on the movement of USMCA/T-MEC/CUSMA-qualifying goods. Preferential tariff treatment remains available for eligible originating goods.
• Section 232 tariffs on certain Canadian and Mexican goods—including steel, aluminum, certain derivative steel and aluminum products, forest products, and copper—remain in effect, including for USMCA/T-MEC/CUSMA-qualifying goods.
• Canadian surtaxes on U.S. steel and aluminum remain in effect. Canada’s remission measures have recently been extended until July 1, 2027.
• Mexico has not implemented retaliatory tariffs.
• The U.S. decision introduces continued investment and trade uncertainty, as further bilateral and trilateral negotiations may lead to significant amendments to the Agreement.

Argo Customs Brokers Is at Your Service

Changes to international trade agreements can affect customs planning, tariffs, and cross-border business operations.

Argo Customs Brokers can help you understand how developments related to CUSMA may impact your imports and exports, review your customs obligations, and ensure your shipments remain compliant with current trade regulations.

Contact Argo Customs Brokers today for expert guidance on cross-border trade and customs compliance.

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is actively protecting domestic industries by launching trade investigations into unfairly priced and subsidized steel racks, forged grinding media, and plywood imported from China.

CBSA Actions & Investigations

Steel Racks & Plywood:

On April 20, 2026, the CBSA launched investigations into whether steel racks and certain plywood products from China are being illegally dumped or subsidized.

Forged Grinding Media:

The CBSA is applying temporary duties on forged grinding media imported from China, a market valued at approximately $200 million annually, to support domestic mining and steel production industries.

Enforcing Trade Laws:

The agency continues to strictly enforce Canadian trade laws and collect billions in duties and taxes to help maintain a level playing field for Canadian businesses.

Steel Derivative Goods Surtax:

Effective December 26, 2025, a 25% surtax on the value for duty applies to certain steel derivative goods imported into Canada, in accordance with the Steel Derivative Goods Surtax Order.

U.S.-Origin Surtaxes:

Certain United States-origin goods, including selected motor vehicles and designated steel and aluminum products, remain subject to a 25% surtax.

Argo Customs Brokers Is at Your Service

Trade investigations, surtaxes, anti-dumping measures, and changing import requirements can significantly affect your customs costs and compliance obligations.

Argo Customs Brokers can assist you with:

• Reviewing HS classifications and product applicability
• Understanding anti-dumping, countervailing, and surtax measures
• Supporting customs compliance and import planning
• Navigating CBSA trade investigations and duty requirements

Contact Argo Customs Brokers today to help ensure your imports remain compliant and your duty exposure is properly managed.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has received updated information and revised documentation from China regarding the approval and registration of Canadian establishments producing pet food.

Establishments that are currently exporting to China, as well as those planning to begin exporting to the Chinese market, must complete the new Checklist and Registration Table. These documents are available through your local CFIA office. Once completed, the documents will be forwarded by the CFIA to the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) for inclusion in the GACC DAPQ online system.

Audits conducted by Chinese authorities will no longer be required for an establishment to be approved for exporting pet food to China.

Establishments that previously submitted the former checklist and are still awaiting approval from Chinese authorities must resubmit the required documentation using the new checklist.

A CFIA inspection of establishments wishing to export to China must be conducted to verify compliance with the conditions outlined in export certificate HA2756. This inspection requirement also applies to establishments that had already submitted their documents and are still awaiting approval from the GACC.

It remains the exporter’s responsibility to complete the required documentation. The CFIA’s role is limited to:

• Providing blank document templates
• Reviewing completed submissions returned by the exporter
• Confirming that all required documents for submission to the GACC have been provided

Need Help with Pet Food Export Compliance to China?

Argo Customs Brokers can assist Canadian pet food exporters in understanding the updated registration requirements, preparing documentation, and navigating customs compliance for exports to China.

Our team can help you:

• Review export documentation requirements
• Prepare submissions for CFIA review
• Ensure compliance with GACC registration requirements
• Support your export process from Canada to China

Contact Argo Customs Brokers today to help simplify your export registration process and avoid delays.

As part of the preliminary joint arrangement between Canada and the People’s Republic of China, Canada has committed to establishing an annual import quota for electric vehicles (EVs) originating from China.

The quota volume for the first year is 49,000 vehicles, and this volume will increase by 6.5% annually. The portion of the quota reserved for EVs with a Free On Board (FOB) price of $35,000 or less will increase from 10% in year 2 to 50% in year 5.

The quota was implemented on March 1, 2026, on a first-come, first-served basis for an initial period of 6 months.

The Government of Canada is currently seeking input from interested parties regarding the allocation and administration of the EV import quota. Feedback received will help shape a longer-term policy, which is expected to take effect beginning September 1, 2026.

The longer-term policy is anticipated to be released in June 2026. If an allocation-based approach is adopted, an application period for quota allocation will be initiated upon release of the policy.

Need Help Navigating EV Import Quotas?

Argo Customs Brokers can assist you in understanding how the EV import quota may impact your shipments, including compliance requirements, quota eligibility, and planning your imports under the new framework.

• Assess whether your imports fall within the quota limits
• Plan shipments under the first-come, first-served system
• Prepare for upcoming allocation-based quota applications

Contact Argo Customs Brokers today to stay compliant and ensure your import strategy aligns with upcoming policy changes.

While the CARM system will automatically calculate the amount of SIMA duties payable based on the information provided, you are still responsible for verifying that the assessed amounts are correct and, if necessary, self-declaring the correct amounts. Note that self-assessments can only be made for higher amounts.

Required SIMA Fields in CARM

In addition to the general requirements outlined in the Guide to Importing Commercial Goods into Canada, the following SIMA-specific fields must be completed to ensure accurate duty calculation in CARM:

• SIMA invoice price – exporter’s selling price or importer’s purchase price (whichever is less)
• SIMA invoice price currency – currency used in the transaction
• SIMA export value deduction – allowable deductions from invoice price
• SIMA quantity – amount imported
• SIMA unit of measure (UOM) – if applicable (kg, tonnes, units, etc.)
• SIMA date of sale – date goods were sold
• SIMA exporter ID – if applicable
• Model ID – if applicable
• MIF code – applicable measure in force
• Incoterms® – trade terms
• Security (Surety) – if used

The importance of these fields is detailed in the official guide for calculating SIMA duties.

Self-Declaration in CARM

The “Self-Declare SIMA” checkbox is used to declare SIMA duties higher than those calculated by CARM.

Improper completion of the Commercial Accounting Document (CAD), especially SIMA-specific fields, can result in incorrect duty calculations.

Importers and brokers should refer to the Get Started with CARM guide and CCP onboarding documentation for more details.

Using the Proper SIMA Code

Chart 1: The first digit is the assessment type

First number	Explanation
1	Goods, although the same classification, are especially exempted from a Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) injury finding.
2	Goods are subject to an undertaking under SIMA.
3	Goods are subject to provisional duty.
4	Goods are subject to a CITT injury finding, but no SIMA duty is payable.
5	Goods are subject to a CITT injury finding and SIMA duties that are payable.

Chart 2: The second digit indicates the payment type

Second number	Explanation
0	No liability.
1	Cash payment (which includes credit card, debit, etc.).
2	Surety (issued by a financial institution or acceptable bonding company). Surety can only be used for provisional duty or during the time of an expedited review.

As an example, code 51 indicates that the goods are subject to an injury finding, that the SIMA duties are payable and they are being paid in cash (which includes any accepted cash payment method, i.e. credit card, debit, etc.).

Chart 3: Valid SIMA codes

SIMA code	Explanation
10	Use to identify non-subject goods when goods are of the same classification as goods that are subject to a CITT finding. Use individual lines on the CAD to separate goods of the same classification from goods that are subject to a CITT finding.
20	Use for goods covered by an undertaking.
30	Use for goods where the provisional duty assessment is nil.
31	Use for goods where the provisional duty assessment is covered by cash.
32	Use for goods where the provisional duty assessment is covered by a SIMA surety.
40	Use for subject goods where the SIMA duty assessment is nil.
50	Use for subject goods where the SIMA duty assessment is covered by a valid OIC number (which must be entered in the Special Authority Field of the CAD).
51	Use for goods where the SIMA duty assessment is covered by cash.
52	Use for subject goods under an expedited review where the SIMA duty assessment is covered by a SIMA surety.

Need Help with SIMA Declarations in CARM?

Argo Customs Brokers can assist with:

• Verifying SIMA fields and HS classifications
• Ensuring accurate duty calculations
• Avoiding CAD errors
• Managing SIMA compliance

Contact Argo Customs Brokers today to ensure compliance and avoid penalties.

On March 6, 2026, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), pursuant to subsection 38(1) of the Special Import Measures Act (SIMA), made preliminary determinations of dumping and subsidizing with respect to truck bodies originating in or exported from the People’s Republic of China.

The subject goods are usually imported under the following tariff classification numbers:

• 8707.90.90.10
• 8707.90.90.39
• 8707.90.90.40
• 8707.90.90.90
• 8708.29.99.90

The above-listed tariff classifications cover both subject and non-subject goods and are provided for convenience of reference only. Importers should refer to the official product definition for authoritative details regarding the subject goods.

Provisional duties will now be payable on the subject goods that are released by the CBSA on or after March 6, 2026.

Additional information about these investigations will be provided in a Statement of Reasons, which will be available within 15 days of the preliminary determinations.

For assistance in properly completing accounting documents and paying provisional duties, importers may consult the Guide for Self-Assessing SIMA Duties.

Need Help with SIMA Duties or Accounting Requirements?

Argo Customs Brokers can assist importers in determining whether their goods fall under the SIMA investigation, calculating provisional duties, and ensuring that accounting documents are completed correctly.

Our team can help you:

• Review HS classifications and product scope
• Ensure compliance with CBSA SIMA duty requirements
• Assist with accounting and provisional duty payments

Contact Argo Customs Brokers today to ensure your imports remain compliant and to avoid costly delays or penalties.

“Offsetting” is the process of clearing debits and credits across accounts within the CARM system (also known as “cross-clearing”). You can view all credits and debits and find out if they have cleared by consulting your “Transaction History” in the CARM Client Portal.

Credits appear on your business account when you make a payment or have an existing credit balance from a prior transaction activity (for example, a refund). If you have a credit on your account, it will be offset by any amount you have owing on your account on the transaction’s payment due date, unless there are overdue transactions on the account.

Clearing Frequency:

If you make a payment or a credit is issued on your account but there is already an amount owing on it (an overdue amount), the oldest amount owing will be deducted first, followed by deductions in the prescribed order. If you have an amount owing on your account (a debt), it will be offset once a credit has been posted to the account, with the oldest due debt clearing first following the prescribed order.

You can view all credits, including if they have cleared, in your Transaction History in the CARM Client Portal (CCP). Clearing occurs daily for debt that is due, based on your offsetting preferences through the CARM Client Portal.

Choosing Your Offsetting Preferences:

The CARM system executes the clearing process using one of three methods, known as offsetting preferences. The business account manager can set the offsetting preference that best suits their business needs. They can choose offsetting to occur:

• At the account level (RM)
• Across a CBSA program account (intra-program)
• Across their legal entity account (inter-program)

The CARM system then orders and executes the clearing process accordingly.

Need Help With CARM Offsetting?

Argo Customs Brokers can guide you in setting your offsetting preferences, understanding your transaction history, and effectively managing your CBSA accounts. Reach out to our experts today to ensure seamless compliance and reconciliation.

Effective December 26, 2025, Canada will impose a new 25% surtax on the value of certain imported steel derivative goods from all countries.

Rate: A 25% surtax will apply to the full “value for duty” of the imported steel derivative products. This is in addition to any other applicable duties and taxes.

Scope: The surtax applies to steel derivative goods imported for commercial purposes.

Canada maintains a non-stackable policy for its steel surtaxes. Only one of these measures can apply to a particular good, following this order of precedence:
1. Surtax on steel imports over the established tariff rate quotas for non-CUSMA countries
2. Either:
a) surtax on U.S. steel products,
b) surtax on Chinese steel products, or
c) surtax on non-U.S. imports that contain steel melted and poured in China
3. Surtax on steel derivative products from all countries

Relief Options:
Canada’s Duties Relief and Duty Drawback Programs remain available to importers for surtax paid or owed by Canadian businesses, subject to the provisions of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). When goods originate from CUSMA countries (U.S. or Mexico), they are not subject to the limitations of CUSMA and the “lesser of two duties” determination does not apply. In such cases, goods may be eligible for full relief if CUSMA criteria are met, as outlined in CBSA’s Memorandum D7-4-3: CUSMA Requirements for the Duty Drawback and the Duties Relief Programs.

Need Help with Steel Derivative Surtax Compliance?

Argo Customs Brokers can help you understand the implications of this new 25% surtax on steel derivative goods. Whether you need to determine if your imports are affected, file under the Duties Relief or Duty Drawback Programs, or ensure CUSMA compliance — our team is here to support you.

Contact us today to avoid costly errors and stay fully compliant with CBSA regulations.
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