What Is a BN Number in Canada? (And How to Get One)

If you're starting a business in Canada or planning to import goods, you'll need a BN number before you can register for taxes, hire staff, or clear a shipment through customs. A BN (Business Number) is a 9-digit identifier issued by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) that works as your business's master ID for all federal tax programs.

This article explains what a BN number in Canada is, who needs one, how to get one, and how to look yours up if you've already registered.

What Is a BN Number in Canada?

A BN (Business Number) is a unique 9-digit identifier that the CRA assigns to your business. It serves as the central account number for every CRA program your business participates in, whether that's GST/HST, payroll, corporate taxes, or importing and exporting goods.

The BN is a federal identifier, issued by the CRA, not by a provincial registry. It stays with your business for life.

On its own, the 9-digit BN is just the root. The CRA adds a 2-letter program code and a 4-digit reference number to create each specific program account.

BN Number Format: What Do the Numbers Mean?

Your BN program account number follows this structure: 9-digit BN + 2-letter program code + 4-digit reference number. For example: 123456789 RT 0001.

The 2-letter codes identify which CRA program the account belongs to:

• RT: Import/Export account (required by CBSA for commercial shipments)
• RC: Corporation Income Tax
• RP: Payroll deductions
• RZ: Information returns

If you're importing goods into Canada, the RT account is the one that matters most. Without an active RT program account attached to your BN, CBSA cannot process your shipments.

Is a BN the Same as a GST Number or Tax ID?

A BN and a GST number are related, but they're not the same thing. Your GST/HST account number is your 9-digit BN plus the suffix "RT 0001." When a supplier asks for your GST number on an invoice, they want the full program account number, not just the bare BN.

A few other common points of confusion:

• Provincial business numbers are separate. Ontario's Business Identification Number (BIN) and BC's provincial business number come from provincial registries. They are not the same as your federal BN from the CRA.
• In the US, the equivalent is an EIN (Employer Identification Number). If you're doing cross-border business, US counterparts may ask for your EIN equivalent. That's your BN.

Who Needs a BN Number in Canada?

Any business that collects GST/HST, employs staff, files corporate taxes, or imports or exports goods needs a BN. In practice, that covers almost every business operating in Canada beyond the smallest sole proprietorships.

Specifically, you need a BN if your business:

• Earns more than $30,000 in taxable revenue in a calendar quarter (GST/HST registration threshold)
• Has employees and needs to remit payroll deductions
• Is incorporated and files corporate income tax returns
• Imports goods into Canada commercially

For importers, the requirement is firm. CBSA will not release a commercial shipment into Canada unless the importer of record has an active BN with an RT (import/export) program account on file. If you plan to import goods, register before your first shipment arrives.

If you're working with a Canadian customs broker, they'll file customs entries on your behalf using your BN RT account. You still need the account. The broker can't create it for you.

How to Get a BN Number in Canada

Register online through the CRA's Business Registration Online (BRO) portal and you'll receive your BN instantly. The process takes about 15 minutes if you have your business information ready.

Steps to register:

• Go to canada.ca and search "Business Registration Online" or navigate directly to the BRO portal
• Enter your business details: legal name, address, type of business structure, and fiscal year-end
• Select the CRA program accounts you need (GST/HST, payroll, import/export, etc.)
• Submit. Your 9-digit BN is issued on the spot.

If online registration isn't an option, you can also register by phone at 1-800-959-5525 or by mailing a completed Form RC1 to your tax services office.

Importers: when selecting program accounts, make sure to include the Import/Export (RT) account. This is the account number CBSA uses to process your entries. Skipping it means your first shipment will be held at the border while you scramble to fix it.

If your business is also enrolling in CARM (CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management), you'll need your BN in hand before you can complete CARM registration.

How Long Does It Take to Get a BN?

If you register online, you receive your BN immediately. Program account activation, including GST/HST and RT accounts, typically takes 1 to 5 business days after registration.

To avoid delays, have your business incorporation documents or SIN ready before you start. If your business is incorporated, have your corporation number from your province's registry on hand.

Already have your BN and ready to start importing? A & A Contract Customs Brokers can handle your customs clearance from entry preparation to release. Get in touch with our team.

How to Find Your BN Number (If You Already Have One)

If your business already has a BN, you can find it on any CRA correspondence, your GST/HST returns, your T2 corporate tax return, or by logging into My Business Account on the CRA website.

Common places to look:

• The original CRA confirmation letter sent when you first registered
• Any GST/HST remittance form or filing confirmation
• Your T2 corporate tax return (the BN appears at the top of the return)
• Payroll remittance statements
• Your My Business Account dashboard at canada.ca (your BN is displayed once you log in)

If you can't locate it through any of the above, call CRA directly at 1-800-959-5525. Have your SIN or corporation number ready to verify your identity.

BN Number Lookup: How to Find Another Business's BN

Canada does not have a fully public BN directory, but you can verify a supplier's GST/HST registration through the CRA's GST/HST Registry. This is the official tool for confirming whether a business is registered and whether the number they've given you is valid.

To use it:

• Go to canada.ca and search "Confirm a GST/HST account number"
• Enter the business name or account number you want to verify
• The registry confirms whether the account is registered and active

For incorporated companies, provincial registries (such as the Ontario Business Registry or BC Registry) let you search by business name. These return provincial business numbers, not the federal BN, but they can help you cross-reference a supplier's legitimacy.

For importers and customs brokers: if a supplier's RT account is invalid or inactive, CBSA's systems will flag it at the time of customs entry. Getting this verified before goods ship saves time and avoids clearance holds.

BN Number and Importing Into Canada: What You Need to Know

Your BN's import/export RT account is a hard requirement for commercial importing into Canada. CBSA will not release a shipment to an importer of record who doesn't have an active RT account on file. No exceptions.

A few practical points for importers:

• Your customs broker files entry documents using your BN RT account number. Make sure you provide it to them before your first shipment.
• Register your BN and RT account well before your goods arrive at the border. Processing delays on the CRA side can take several business days, and a shipment sitting at a port of entry accumulates storage charges fast.
• CARM enrolment requires your BN. All commercial importers in Canada must enrol in CARM, the CBSA's digital portal for managing import duties and taxes. You cannot complete CARM enrolment without an active BN and RT account.

If you're new to commercial importing, BN registration and CARM enrolment should happen in parallel, before your first shipment lands.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a BN number the same as a business number?

Yes. "BN" stands for Business Number. The two terms mean exactly the same thing. "BN number" is common shorthand, though technically redundant.

Can a sole proprietor get a BN number?

Yes, and many must. Sole proprietors who collect GST/HST, employ staff, or import goods commercially are required to register for a BN. The process is the same as for incorporated businesses.

Do I need a BN to import goods into Canada?

Yes. CBSA requires an active BN with an import/export (RT) program account before it will release any commercial shipment into Canada. This applies whether you're importing once or regularly.

What happens if I don't have a BN and I try to import?

CBSA will place a hold on your shipment until a valid importer of record with an active BN can be identified. During that time, your goods accumulate storage and handling fees at the port of entry, and you may face penalties for non-compliance.

Get Your BN, Then Get Importing

A BN number takes about 15 minutes to register online, and you'll receive your 9-digit identifier on the spot. If you're importing goods into Canada, add the RT program account when you register, share the number with your customs broker, and complete your CARM enrolment before your first shipment arrives.

Getting these three things in order upfront eliminates the most common causes of clearance delays for new importers.

If you're setting up your import program and want a customs broker who knows this process inside out, learn how CARM affects your import operations or contact our team at A & A Contract Customs Brokers to get started.