# **Canadian Customs Self-Assessment (CSA)**

### An Overview & How Descartes Can Help

## **What is the Canadian CSA Program?**

The Customs Self-Assessment (CSA) program is designed for low-risk, pre-approved importers, carriers, and registered drivers. To take advantage of the program, CSA-approved importers and carriers must use a registered driver to carry CSA-eligible goods into Canada.

Being a CSA importer also means faster clearance with quicker delivery at a lower cost. Other significant benefits to becoming a CSA participant include priority access for trucks, and reduced wait time at the border.

## **Why Are Importers Looking to Switch CSA Compliance Technology?**

Importers are looking to move away from their Canadian Self-Assessment (CSA) technology to:

Enhance Compliance

Keep pace with CSA as well as parallel compliance programs such as CARM​

[Learn More](/content/resources/knowledge-center/customs-self-assessment-csa/index.html)

Reduce Overall Costs

Avoid upgrading legacy systems to meet CSA requirements ​

[Learn More](/content/resources/knowledge-center/customs-self-assessment-csa/index.html)

Boost Productivity

Leverage more advanced capabilities and automation to improve efficiency​ and connect to existing platforms

[Learn More](/content/resources/knowledge-center/customs-self-assessment-csa/index.html)

## **Why Make the Switch to Descartes?**

Importers are moving the move to Descartes’ Canadian CSA technology due to our:

SaaS

Model

Our secure cloud-based application is easy to deploy without the cost of IT infrastructure​

[Learn More](/content/resources/knowledge-center/customs-self-assessment-csa/index.html)

Pioneering Technology

Descartes was the first technology provider to help importers benefit from the CSA program​

[Learn More](/content/resources/knowledge-center/customs-self-assessment-csa/index.html)

Technical Knowledge

Our deep domain expertise can help ensure you derive maximum benefit from the technology

[Learn More](/content/resources/knowledge-center/customs-self-assessment-csa/index.html)

## **Our Commitment to Compliance**
 
Descartes is an industry leader in regulatory and industry program compliance. For more than 20 years, we have been helping importers move beyond the limitations of in-house or legacy platforms to help our client base comply with stringent CSA requirements.

## **Additional & Related Resources**

More About CSA  
Read more about the Canadian Customs Self Assessment program from CBSA  
[Learn More about CSA](https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/csa-pad/menu-eng.html)

CARM Resource Center  
Learn more about CBSA's CARM initiative in our resource center  
[Learn More about CARM Resource Center](/content/resources/knowledge-center/cbsa-assessment-and-revenue-management-cbsa-carm-project-resource-center/index.html)

Canadian Security Filings  
Read more about how to comply with Canadian Advanced Security Filings  
[Learn More about Canadian Security Filings](/content/solutions/customs-and-regulatory-compliance/security-filings/us-canada-security-filings/canada/index.html)  
Also of Interest  
- [Other Government / Industry Programs](/content/solutions/customs-and-regulatory-compliance/other-government-industry-programs/index.html)  
- [Descartes Canadian Customs Brokerage™](/content/resources/knowledge-center/descartes-canadian-customs-brokerage/index.html)  
- [CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management (CBSA CARM) Project Resource Center](/content/resources/knowledge-center/cbsa-assessment-and-revenue-management-cbsa-carm-project-resource-center/index.html)