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🇨🇦 Get your Canadian non-resident importer number

Your carrier cannot clear goods into Canada without a CRA business number. Through the Non-Resident Importer program, you can hold a Canadian import number and act as the importer of record, without setting up a Canadian office.

What we do:

  • Prepare the application
  • File it with the CRA
  • Answer any questions they come back with

One CRA business number, held as the importer of record. Once approved, your CRA number covers every shipment you bring into Canada. No per-shipment filing required.

What a CRA business number is

NNon
RResident
IImporter

What NRI stands for

Your importer registration

It lets your company be the importer of record in Canada without a Canadian office.

Importer
Your company
BN123456789 RM0001

Who holds it

Your company

One number for every shipment. It does not expire.

Customs declaration
BN123456789 RM0001

Who uses it

Your carrier

Enters it on every customs declaration.

🇨🇦
Issued
CRA
Valid in Canada

Who issues it

Canada Revenue Agency

Customs check it on every shipment you import into Canada.

Book a time with our import team

Pick a time and a specialist will call you. It takes about 15 minutes.

Tomorrow 09:00Tomorrow 13:00Tomorrow 17:30

Questions people ask

How quickly can you get it?
The CRA normally takes six to eight working days once we file. They may ring you directly to confirm a detail on the application before issuing the number - quote your reference and answer as the company.
What do I need for a CRA business number application?
Your business and incorporation details, up to three products or services with their share of revenue, and two documents: your certificate of incorporation and photo ID for the authorised signatory.
What am I paying for?
The CRA doesn't charge for a business number. Our fee covers preparing and filing your application, handling anything the CRA comes back with (including their verification call), and confirming the number before we hand it over.
Do I need a Canadian office or address?
No. The Non-Resident Importer programme is built for exactly this - you register using your certificate of incorporation and a signatory, with no Canadian office or address required.
Where do these applications usually go wrong?
Mostly a detail on the form that doesn't match your certificate of incorporation, or a revenue split across products that doesn't total 100%.

Start your CRA business number application

Usually takes about 2–5 minutes.