For Canadian importer Release Prior to Payment (RPP), compare a cash-security deposit with a written security agreement from an accepted provider. CBSA calls these “Cash Bond” and “Non-Cash Bond” in the CARM Client Portal.[1] Begin with the importer RM account’s confirmed requirement; a general single-entry-bond description is not a sufficient basis for choosing RPP security.
Compare the financial structures
- Cash security — Documented RPP basis: An electronic deposit made by the importer in CARM. The reviewed memorandum specifies a deposit at 100% of the account-based requirement, with no minimum deposit and no deposit expiry.[1]; Commercial questions: What cash must be funded, who authorises it, and how will changes or a return of security be managed?
- Written security agreement — Documented RPP basis: An accepted provider guarantees payment of amounts owed. The reviewed memorandum specifies 50% of the account-based requirement, with a minimum CAN$5,000 per RM account, and identifies acceptable provider types.[1]; Commercial questions: What are the premium or fee, collateral, indemnity obligations, validity period and replacement conditions?
The secured amount is not the premium. A smaller security requirement does not by itself establish a lower total cost. Compare the actual deposit requirement with a dated non-cash proposal and its complete contract, including obligations owed to the issuer.
Use the current RM-account requirement
D17-5-2 bases the requirement on account history and distinguishes the calculation for deposits and written agreements.[1] Retrieve the relevant requirement from the current account and ask a qualified adviser to explain any adjustment, minimum or special treatment. Do not reuse a figure from another importer or assume a transition-era figure remains applicable.
Customs Notice 25-22 records the end of the RPP transition period in 2025 and describes maintaining RPP privileges with the required security. It also explains that re-enrolment can display an updated requirement.[2] This historical notice is background; check current CBSA notices and the account before committing funds.
Issue the same CAD request to providers
Send each candidate the same importer identity, RM account, confirmed security requirement and intended start date. Request the legal name of the actual issuer and its basis for acceptance under CBSA requirements. Distinguish a broker arranging an agreement from the security provider named in it.
- Secured amount — Evidence to request: The account and obligations to which it applies, with any proposed changes explained
- Price — Evidence to request: CAD premium or fee, administrative charges, payment schedule and quote validity
- Collateral and recourse — Evidence to request: Collateral amount, release conditions and the proposed indemnity agreement
- Validity and renewal — Evidence to request: Start/end dates, renewal procedure and responsibility for monitoring them
- Cancellation and replacement — Evidence to request: Notice, issuer process, replacement responsibilities and refund terms
- Submission — Evidence to request: Who submits the agreement, how account acceptance is confirmed and how errors are corrected
The official sources do not publish a buyer-specific premium, collateral demand or underwriting acceptance. Leave unanswered commercial fields marked unknown. A contact form, marketing page or generic bond catalogue does not constitute an issued commitment.
Plan for continuity of adequate security
The memorandum describes renewal or replacement of expiring agreements and continued adequate security when an agreement is terminated.[1] Ask the issuer and customs adviser to document the required sequence for your account before cancelling or replacing an arrangement. Do not interpret an insurer’s refund policy as proof that the RPP account remains eligible.
Assign an internal owner to review account requirements and impending expiry. Keep the accepted agreement or deposit confirmation, supplier correspondence, decision worksheet and renewal instructions together. Request qualified customs or legal advice on contractual liability and any uncertain account-specific requirement.
Compare liquidity and complete contract exposure
Prepare separate lines for cash funded, recurring fees, collateral, implementation effort and contingent contractual obligations. Ask finance to assess the opportunity cost of funded cash using its own assumptions. The reviewed documents do not supply buyer-specific premiums or an independent provider ranking.
This purchase concerns Canadian importer RPP security. CARM registration, US construction surety bonds and customs-bonded-warehouse licensing are separate tasks and should not be used as substitutes for the account-specific comparison.
References
- CBSA — Memorandum D17-5-2, Financial Security for Release Prior to Payment (gc.ca)
- CBSA — Customs Notice 25-22, End of RPP Transition Period (gc.ca)
