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Robin Transportation Systems Inc.

Non-Resident Importer (NRI) Services

NRI Services

Ship Into Canada. No Canadian Entity.

Sell and ship directly to Canadian customers without incorporating a Canadian subsidiary. RTSI coordinates CBSA registration, CARM guidance, broker delegation, customs clearance support through licensed broker partners, and delivery.

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30+ YearsCARM SupportCustoms Support15-Min Response

What Is an NRI?

A Non-Resident Importer is a foreign company that acts as the importer of record for goods entering Canada. No Canadian subsidiary required. Your Canadian customers receive domestic deliveries with no customs paperwork on their end.

  • A foreign (non-Canadian) company becomes the importer of record for goods entering Canada
  • No Canadian subsidiary, branch, or entity required
  • The NRI obtains a CBSA Business Number and registers on the CARM portal
  • The NRI is responsible for customs compliance, duty payment, and record-keeping
  • Goods can be shipped directly to Canadian customers
  • RTSI coordinates NRI setup, shipment documents, broker delegation, CARM guidance, duty planning, customs clearance support through licensed broker partners, GST/HST guidance, record-retention support, and freight forwarding
Container handoff at a terminal gate before warehouse delivery for cross-border fulfilment workflows

Step 1: You Ship

US/foreign company ships goods to Canada

Step 2: Licensed Broker Clearance

RTSI coordinates customs, duties, and compliance through our licensed customs broker partner

Step 3: Customer Receives

Canadian buyer gets a clean, duty-paid domestic delivery

Customs Support Coordination →

Benefits of NRI Status in Canada

Four reasons foreign companies choose NRI over establishing a Canadian entity.

No Canadian Entity Needed

Sell into Canada without incorporating a Canadian subsidiary. Reduces legal, accounting, and administrative overhead.

Control Your Landed Cost

As importer of record, you control tariff classification, duty rates, and FTA claims. Your Canadian customers pay a clean, duty-paid price.

Simpler for Your Customers

Canadian buyers receive domestic deliveries with no customs paperwork, no brokerage fees, and no import hassles on their end.

Test the Market

Enter the Canadian market gradually without committing to a physical presence. Scale up when volume justifies it.

Ontario and cross-border market coverage map showing regional distribution reach for NRI sellers

How NRI Setup Works

1

Business Number

RTSI coordinates your CBSA Business Number (BN15) application. Required for all importers.

2

CARM Registration

Register on the CARM Client Portal, authorize the licensed customs broker partner, and post financial security for RPP eligibility.

3

GST/HST Registration

NRIs must register for GST/HST with CRA. RTSI advises on requirements and connects you with Canadian tax advisors.

4

Compliance Setup

Tariff classification established, duty rates confirmed, FTA eligibility verified, and record-keeping systems set up.

5

First Shipment

RTSI coordinates customs clearance support through licensed broker partners, duty planning, and delivery timing.

NRI Compliance Requirements

RTSI coordinates ongoing NRI logistics, CARM support, broker communication, and shipment documentation so you can focus on selling.

Compliance desk with shipment scheduling tools and fulfilment centre coding used for NRI customs operations

CBSA Business Number (BN15)

Your import/export account with CBSA. RTSI coordinates the application.

CARM Portal Registration

Mandatory since October 2024. Required for electronic customs declarations and RPP.

Financial Security

Post a bond or cash deposit for RPP eligibility. Without it, duties must be paid at time of release.

GST/HST Registration

CRA registration required. GST (5%) or HST (13% in Ontario) applies on imported goods.

Record Retention (6 years)

All customs records must be retained for 6 years and made available to CBSA on request.

Tariff Classification

Correct 10-digit HS codes assigned. Classification determines duty rate and FTA eligibility.

NRI vs Resident Importer

Same customs obligations. The key difference: no Canadian entity required.

Cross-border truck lanes representing operational differences between NRI and resident importer structures

Canadian entity required?

NRI

No

Resident Importer

Yes

Who is importer of record?

NRI

Foreign company

Resident Importer

Canadian company

CARM registration?

NRI

Required

Resident Importer

Required

GST/HST registration?

NRI

Required

Resident Importer

Required

Financial security?

NRI

Required for RPP

Resident Importer

Required for RPP

FTA benefits (CUSMA)?

NRI

Yes, if qualifying

Resident Importer

Yes, if qualifying

Duty payment responsibility

NRI

NRI pays

Resident Importer

Canadian entity pays

Customer experience

NRI

Domestic delivery

Resident Importer

Domestic delivery

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about NRI services in Canada.

What is a Non-Resident Importer (NRI)?
A Non-Resident Importer is a foreign company that acts as the importer of record for goods entering Canada without having a Canadian subsidiary or physical presence. The NRI obtains a CBSA Business Number, registers on the CARM portal, and is responsible for customs compliance, duty payment, and record-keeping. This allows foreign companies to ship goods directly to Canadian customers with a clean, duty-paid landed cost.
Why would a company use NRI status instead of having a Canadian importer?
Four main reasons: (1) No Canadian entity needed: avoid the cost of incorporating and maintaining a Canadian subsidiary. (2) Control landed costs: the NRI controls tariff classification, duty rates, and trade agreement claims. (3) Better customer experience: Canadian buyers receive domestic deliveries without customs hassles. (4) Market testing: enter Canada gradually without committing to a physical presence.
What are the requirements to become an NRI in Canada?
Requirements: CBSA Business Number (BN15 import/export account), CARM portal registration (mandatory since October 2024), financial security posting for RPP eligibility, GST/HST registration with CRA, appointment of a licensed customs broker partner (RTSI coordinates this), and 6-year record retention. RTSI coordinates the setup process and ongoing compliance.
Does an NRI need to register for GST/HST?
Yes. NRIs importing commercial goods into Canada must register for GST/HST with the Canada Revenue Agency. GST (5%) or HST (13% in Ontario) applies on imported goods. NRIs can claim Input Tax Credits (ITCs) to recover GST/HST paid on business expenses. RTSI advises on requirements and connects you with Canadian tax advisors for registration.
Can an NRI claim CUSMA/USMCA duty-free treatment?
Yes. NRIs from the US or Mexico can claim CUSMA preferential duty rates on qualifying goods, just like resident importers. Requirements: goods must meet CUSMA rules of origin, a valid Certificate of Origin must be available, and the NRI must be registered on CARM. RTSI helps review CUSMA eligibility and coordinate required documentation with licensed customs broker partners.
How does CARM affect NRI importers?
CARM is mandatory for all importers, including NRIs. Since October 2024, NRIs must register on the CARM Client Portal, post financial security for RPP eligibility, and submit Commercial Accounting Declarations (CADs) electronically. Without CARM registration and financial security, duties must be paid at time of release (no RPP). RTSI coordinates CARM registration guidance, broker delegation setup, and communication with the licensed customs broker partner for ongoing CARM requirements.
What does RTSI do for NRI clients?
RTSI provides NRI support: CBSA Business Number coordination, CARM registration guidance, broker delegation, financial security guidance, tariff classification support, duty planning, customs clearance coordination through licensed broker partners, GST/HST guidance, record-retention support, and freight forwarding.
How long does NRI setup take?
Initial setup takes approximately 2-4 weeks: CBSA Business Number (5-10 business days), CARM registration (1-3 business days once BN is active), and GST/HST registration (2-4 weeks). RTSI manages the timeline and can begin shipping as soon as the business number is active. First shipments can typically clear within 3-4 weeks of starting the process.