CBSA Annual Review: What Canadian Importers Need to Know About Financial Security Updates

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has completed its annual review of importer financial security requirements. This review—conducted each year on October 20—recalculates the financial security (customs bond) needed for each importer’s RM business account.

If your required bond amount has increased, you’ll need to update your financial security by January 15, 2026 to remain compliant.

Why CBSA Runs an Annual Review

Each year, CBSA reassesses every importer’s bond requirement based on the most recent transaction history and import activity.
This process ensures that the financial security in place accurately reflects current import volumes and liabilities.

Only importers whose required financial security has increased will receive a notification in the CARM Client Portal (CCP).

When and How Importers Are Notified

• October 20, 2025: CBSA completed its annual review and posted any revised financial security requirements to the CARM Client Portal.
• January 15, 2026: This is the deadline for importers to meet the new requirements and maintain their Release Prior to Payment (RPP) privileges.

Importers can find notifications about new bond amounts in the Notifications section of the CARM Client Portal. Updated amounts will appear on the main dashboard as of January 15.

Failure to comply by the deadline may result in suspension or revocation of RPP privileges.

What Importers and Brokers Should Do Now

1. Log in to the CARM Client Portal
   Confirm whether a notification has been issued for your RM account. Importers without changes will not receive an update.
2. If a Bond Increase Is Required
   Contact Roanoke Canada for support. Our team will review your bond individually and advise on any underwriting requirements or premium implications.
3. Submit Updates Promptly
   If your bond was issued in paper format (a legacy bond), it can be amended via API or by mailing an endorsement—signed according to CBSA Memorandum D17-5-2—to:

Canada Border Services Agency
Attention: Financial Security Unit
Ground Floor, Room 1018
333 North River Road, Place Vanier, Tower A
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0L8

CBSA’s standard processing time for mailed endorsements is approximately 25 business days.

*Please note that your surety provider will submit the endorsement to CBSA on your behalf.

Roanoke’s Guidance for Brokers

Customs brokers do not receive notifications from CBSA when an importer’s bond needs adjustment. We recommend that brokers remind clients to log in to the CARM Client Portal and verify their bond status early—avoiding compliance gaps or shipment delays.

Roanoke continues to enhance our FastBond™ system to streamline the process of increasing importer bonds. Watch for upcoming updates that will simplify requests and shorten turnaround times.

Need Assistance?

If you or your clients have questions about the CBSA annual review, or need help adjusting a customs bond, please contact the Roanoke Canada team at 800-762-6653 or infospot@roanokegroup.com.

We’re here to make compliance clear, simple, and stress-free.

 

Source:
CBSA Annual Review Questions and Answers (EN & FR)
Canada Border Services Agency, October 2025