Step-by-step guide to importing commercial goods into Canada - Step 9: Compliance matters

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3. [Import commercial goods](/import/menu-eng.html)

4. [Guide to importing commercial goods into Canada](/import/guide-eng.html) # Compliance matters # Sections - [Who should use this guide](/import/guide-1-eng.html) - [Gather information about the goods you want to import](/import/guide-2-eng.html) - [Select the duties and taxes that apply](/import/guide-3-eng.html) - [Set up your business to import](/import/guide-4-eng.html) - [Ship and report goods](/import/guide-5-eng.html) - [Release, account and pay duties and taxes](/import/guide-6-eng.html) - [Make changes after accounting for goods](/import/guide-7-eng.html) - [Checklist](/import/guide-8-eng.html) - [Compliance matters](/import/guide-9-eng.html) We protect Canadian industries and foster a secure and competitive economic environment by: - enforcing trade laws - maintaining high compliance standards - providing fair recourse processes - ensuring that duties and taxes owed are collected on time **Compliance matters**. It means an importer has accounted for their commercial goods properly and has met all Canadian import requirements, including, but not limited to: - classifying their commercial goods under the appropriate tariff classification - accurately declaring the origin and value of the goods, in accordance with legislative requirements - paying the duties and taxes owed on the imported goods The CBSA monitors commercial goods to make sure they meet government requirements for entry to Canada and collects duties and taxes. Your shipment may be examined by government officials. Thanks to CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management (CARM), we are taking a focused and timely approach while promoting voluntary compliance to ensure a level playing field for businesses. If you make an error in the accounting information provided to the CBSA, you are required to correct the declaration if the change is revenue-neutral or if you owe money. **Reminder:** [Keep records](https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d17/d17-1-21-eng.html) of your import documents for a period of six years following the date of importation. The CBSA uses the [Administrative Monetary Penalty System (AMPS)](https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/trade-commerce/amps/menu-eng.html) to assess monetary penalties against businesses that do not comply with legislation. ### More information [Trade compliance verification](https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/import/verification/menu-eng.html) ### Document navigation - [<span class="wb-inv">Previous: </span>Checklist](/import/guide-8-eng.html) ## Page details - Date modified: 2026-09-17 ## About this site ### Canada Border Services Agency - [Contact us](/contact/menu-eng.html) - [Publications and forms](/publications/menu-eng.html) - [CBSA Glossary](/sme-pme/glossary-glossaire-eng.html) ### Government of Canada - [All contacts](https://www.canada.ca/en/contact.html) - [Departments and agencies](https://www.canada.ca/en/government/dept.html) - [About government](https://www.canada.ca/en/government/system.html) #### <span class="wb-inv">Themes and topics</span> - [Jobs](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/jobs.html) - [Immigration and citizenship](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/immigration-citizenship.html) - [Travel and tourism](https://travel.gc.ca/) - [Business](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/business.html) - [Benefits](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits.html) - [Health](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/health.html) - [Taxes](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/taxes.html) - [Environment and natural resources](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment.html) - [National security and defence](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/defence.html) - [Culture, history and sport](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/culture.html) - [Policing, justice and emergencies](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/policing.html) - [Transport and infrastructure](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/transport.html) - [Canada and the world](https://www.international.gc.ca/world-monde/index.aspx?lang=eng) - [Money and finances](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/finance.html) - [Science and innovation](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/science.html) - [Indigenous Peoples](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/indigenous-peoples.html) - [Veterans and military](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/veterans-military.html) - [Youth](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/youth.html) - [Manage life events](https://www.canada.ca/en/services/life-events.html) ### Government of Canada Corporate - [Social media](https://www.canada.ca/en/social.html) - [Mobile applications](https://www.canada.ca/en/mobile.html) - [About Canada.ca](https://www.canada.ca/en/government/about.html) - [Terms and conditions](/help-aide/in-ai-eng.html) - [Privacy](https://www.canada.ca/en/transparency/privacy.html)