CBSA Message (TCC17-067) - Properly identifying cheques and online banking payments

June 5, 2017

Clients Affected: Importers under the GST Direct Payment Option with their customs broker AND importers who secure their own goods (either directly under the Release Prior to Payment Privileges or under the Importer Direct Security Option who use the services of a customs broker).

Description: The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is receiving a number of importer payments (via cheques and online banking) that contain either no account identification or incorrect account identification.  This often results in lengthy delays in properly posting your payments to your accounts. 

Action Required:

1)  If you are an importer and pay the CBSA via cheque (payable to the Receiver General for Canada) – ensure that you write your business number RM account (BN15) (e.g., 123456789RM0001) on the cheque.  Do not write any other account number (e.g. do not write your Canada Revenue Agency RT account number).

2)  If you are an importer and pay the CBSA via online banking - ensure that you accurately enter your business number RM account (BN15) (e.g., 123456789RM0001) as the account number in the online payment portal.  Do not enter any other account number (e.g. do not enter your Canada Revenue Agency RT account number).

*** REMEMBER:  Importer accounts must have the RM identifier in the account number.

Please contact [email protected] if you have questions.


Topic(s): 
Release / System Updates/Outages & Delays at the Border
Information Source: 
Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)
Document Type: 
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