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 import-export (RM) program account with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).
RM program account
Effective October 21, 2024, if you need to register for or update an RM program account, go to the CBSA's CARM: Assess and pay duties and taxes on imported commercial goods.
On this page
Registering for a BN for importing and exporting
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.
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 CARM: Assess and pay duties and taxes on imported commercial goods if you don't need to register for any other Canada Revenue Agency (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, check your options to find an existing business number.
For non-resident businesses
Register for a BN with the CRA by:
calling the non-resident registration and security line:
Within Canada or the United States (U.S.): 1-866-453-0452
Outside Canada or the U.S., call collect: 1-613-221-3039Hours of service
Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm ET
going to Register as a non-resident doing business in Canada
For trusts or other types of entity
Register for a BN with the CRA by using the online service Business Registration Online (BRO).
After you register
Once you have your new nine-digit BN, keep your BN for your own records and register for an RM program account with the 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 in your CRA 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, from Monday to Friday, between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm, at 1-866-453-0452 or, if you are outside Canada or the United States, call collect at 1-613-221-3039.
If you need to make changes to your existing CBSA RM program account
Amalgamating and merging of corporations
When two 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.