A CARM Statement of Account (SOA) is a monthly view of commercial import activity and the resulting account balance. It is useful only when a business actually reconciles it. A shipment may have reached a warehouse while a customs adjustment, payment mismatch or outstanding charge still needs attention.
What the statement represents
The Statement of Account summarizes customs-related financial activity for the applicable account and period. CBSA states that the SOA is generally available on the 25th of each month in the portal or through applicable EDI arrangements. It should be read alongside transaction history and your own invoices, rather than used as the sole source of shipment information.
Reconcile by transaction
Match import transactions against commercial invoices, entry details, applicable adjustments, payments and credit information. Differences can arise from changes after initial accounting, timing of entries or payments applied to an unexpected account. Assign a reviewer who understands both the accounting records and the customs reference numbers.
Pay attention to due dates
CBSA publishes a monthly payment calendar. Its 2026 guidance says the due date is calculated as 10 weekdays, including holidays, after the 17th. Do not guess a date from a previous month or assume a broker automatically pays everything. Check the current official schedule and the balance that applies to your business.
Build a repeatable month-end process
Download statements promptly, flag exceptions and record who confirmed payment. Keep proof of payment and track correspondence on unresolved entries. A simple reconciliation spreadsheet can include transaction number, invoice number, declared value, assessed amount, payment reference, discrepancy and resolution owner.
Turn the monthly statement into a reconciliation
CBSA makes the SOA available on the 25th of the month through the CARM Client Portal or eligible electronic channels. The statement summarizes the relevant billing period; transaction history supplies more detail. Have finance compare opening balance, new charges, payments, adjustments and the closing amount against the import ledger and the records received from authorized customs representatives.
For example, if a duty payment appears in the bank but not on the SOA, check the payment reference, processing date and BN15 before paying again. If a customs adjustment appears unexpectedly, find the declaration and supporting invoice that explain it. Record the variance and owner, follow the current CBSA calendar for the actual due date, and save evidence of any correction. This protects cash flow without pretending every discrepancy is a system fault.
Practical checklist
- Download the latest SOA and transaction history.
- Match each significant transaction to source paperwork.
- Check the official payment due date.
- Escalate differences before balances become overdue.
An example in practice
A manufacturer sees a duty amount that does not match its internal landed-cost estimate. It checks the classification and valuation data, contacts its authorized broker and resolves the discrepancy rather than paying blindly and forgetting the entry.
Frequently asked questions
When is the SOA available?
CBSA states that monthly statements are available on the 25th, subject to the applicable account and service channel.
Is a broker invoice the same as the CBSA SOA?
No. Brokerage charges and government amounts should be reconciled separately.
Is the SOA the same as an individual customs declaration?
No. The SOA summarizes account activity; a customs accounting declaration contains transaction-specific details.
Discuss your shipment with K Line Logistics Canada
For questions about the transportation and documentation surrounding a commercial import, share the cargo details, origin, Canadian destination and any time-sensitive account issues with the K Line Logistics team. A shipment discussion does not replace CBSA guidance or qualified customs advice.
Contact K Line Logistics Canada