Getting or making changes to a nine-digit business number for importing and exporting

Source URL

https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/businesses/topics/registering-your-business/changes-nine-digit-business-number-importing-exporting.html

Disclaimer

We do not guarantee the accuracy of this copy of the CRA website.

Scraped Page Content

Getting or making changes to a nine-digit business number for importing and exporting

Importers, exporters, or customs brokers acting on behalf of their client need a nine-digit business number (BN) before registering for an RM program account with the Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA).

import and export RM program account

Effective October 21, 2024, if you need to register for or update an import and export RM program account, go to the CBSA's CARM Client Portal.

On this page

Registering for a BN for importing and exporting

  1. Before you register

    Make a list of all of your business's names that may appear on customs release forms and documents, such as invoices.

    Make sure to include all of these business names when you register for a nine digit BN for importing and exporting. The information that the CBSA has on file must match the customs release document information. If you do not include all your business names when you register, your goods may be delayed at the border.

  2. How to register

    If you don't already have a nine-digit BN, register for one using the appropriate registration method for your type of business:

    • For sole proprietorships or partnerships

      Register for a BN by using the CARM Client Portal if you don't need to register for any other CRA program account.

      Register for a BN by using the online service Business Registration Online (BRO) if you need to register for other CRA program accounts.

    • For corporations

      Incorporated businesses may already have a BN directly from the incorporating authority or the CRA.

      If you don't know your nine-digit BN, call the CRA's business enquiries line at 1-800-959-5525.

    • For Non-resident business

      Register for a BN with the CRA by:

    • For trust or other entity type

      Register for a BN with the CRA by using the online service Business Registration Online (BRO).

  3. After you register

    Once you have your new nine-digit BN, keep your BN for your own records and register for an import-export RM program account with CBSA.

Making changes to a BN for importing and exporting

Choose the situation that applies to you:

If your business is registered federally or provincially and the structure, name, or director of your corporation changes

Go to the appropriate incorporating authority to update your information before contacting the CRA

For more information, go to Add or update corporation and director information.

If you have a nine-digit BN and no other CRA program accounts

Only the owner of the business can make changes to the BN account.

Call the CRA's Business Enquiries line at 1-800-959-5525.

If you have a nine-digit BN and other CRA program accounts

Use My Business Account.

If the change cannot be made in My Business Account

Call the CRA's Business Enquiries line at 1-800-959-5525.

If you are a non-resident business

Call the Non-Resident Registration and Security line at 1-866-453-0452 or call collect at 1-613-221-3039 if you are outside of Canada/U.S.

If you need to make changes to your existing CBSA RM program account

Go to Register for or modify an import-export program account.

Amalgamating and merging of corporations

When 2 or more corporations amalgamate or merge and create a new corporation:

  • the CRA may issue a new BN to the new corporation
  • the CBSA will immediately close all RM program accounts you had for the amalgamated and merged corporations

If you need an RM program account for your new nine-digit BN, go to Register for or modify an import-export program account.


Page details

Date modified:
2024-12-24