anyone know by hand if a tshirt fits in an oversized lettermail?

[meetoo121]

Hello guys, 

i'm just wondering does anyone know by hand if a Tshirt fits in the 2cm slot for oversized letter mail? 

[pierrelebel]

"Oh, so you can send DVDs via oversized lettermail within Canada, but not to the U.S..."

That is correct.  That is what the rules clearly state.

Within Canada, as long as it comes under the maximum limits in measurements (2 cm thick) and weight (500g) anything can be shipped by uninsured lettermail.

When leaving Canada, two categories exist for items with the same maximum limits in measurements (2 cm thick) and weight (500g):

- Letter Post (for paper/documentation/correspondance)

- Light Packet (for goods)

Note that the weight breakdowns are slightly different.

An envelope weighing 225g for example will cost about $2 less if mailed Light Packet to the USA and $5 less if shipped overseas. This applies to envelopes with a weight between 201g and 250g. In all other cases, Light Packet costs more than Letter Post, from a few cents to several dollars.

Some may argue that it is nobody's business what is in the envelope but the rules are the rules.  Some may decide to ignore them to save a few pennies.

[toff3]

Some may argue that it is nobody's business what is in the envelope but the rules are the rules

That is missing the point. Rules that make no sense should have no place in our lives.

Two physically identical mail pieces that are transmitted by the same means (in this case air) - in other words, are handled exactly the same way by the post office - should not differ in postage. If the item contains a potentially dutiable good a customs declaration should be affixed.

I'll bet no other postal system in the world has a rule as idiotic as this.

Tom

[pierrelebel]

Tom - An hour and half to respond!  What took you so long?  I expected your message within a few minutes. 😉

[pierrelebel]

"Rules that make no sense should have no place in our lives."

Everyone is entitled to an opinion.

"I'll bet no other postal system in the world has a rule as idiotic as this."

Take a look at the United Kingdom Royal Mail - a system larger than Canada Post.

To send mail to Canada you are given two options

Letter - "If you are sending letters to Europe they can only be sent by Airmail. Letters can be sent to destinations outside Europe by Airmail or Surface Mail."

Small Packet - "If you’re sending gifts, goods or commercial samples to countries outside the EU, please ensure you attach the relevant customs declaration"

[toff3]

"Rules that make no sense should have no place in our lives."

Everyone is entitled to an opinion.

"I'll bet no other postal system in the world has a rule as idiotic as this."

Take a look at the United Kingdom Royal Mail - a system larger than Canada Post.

To send mail to Canada you are given two options

Letter - "If you are sending letters to Europe they can only be sent by Airmail. Letters can be sent to destinations outside Europe by Airmail or Surface Mail."

Small Packet - "If you’re sending gifts, goods or commercial samples to countries outside the EU, please ensure you attach the relevant customs declaration"

I fail to see what any of the above has to do with CP's Letterpost/Light Packet absurdity.

Air postage for a letter from the UK to Canada is high, even higher than Canada Post, $1.99. Some Brits may be grateful to the Royal Mail for giving them the surface mail option at a cost of $1.21. Personally, I don't think a delivery time of 1-2 months is worth the 40% saving.

So Small Packets from the UK to Canada need a customs declaration. So what? Customs declarations are not required for mail to the EU because customs duties between member nations (of which the UK is one) have been abolished.

Tom

[pierrelebel]

"I fail to see..."

Let me explain.

You stated that "no other postal system in the world has a rule as idiotic as this."

In fact, as you can see when going to the Royal Mail website, their concept for international service is not that different.

One service for letters (correspondance) and one different service for "goods, gifts, etc..."

Canada Post is not the only postal service in the world to differenciate the type of service offered based on content.

I understand you do not agree with the concept.  That is your right not to agree. 

However, it is what it is.

[meetoo121]

Does any one know where I can purchase these Ebay Poly envelopes??  as Kathy mentioned above. 

[pjcdn2005]

Does any one know where I can purchase these Ebay Poly envelopes??  as Kathy mentioned above. 

On Canadapost.ca  You need  a venture one number which is free, then sign in to Canada Post with that number. You might have to set up a profile first with the Canada Post site...I can't remember exactly how that works.

http://www.canadapost.ca/shop/mailing-shipping-supplies/ventureone-supplies.jsf?execution=e1s1

[pre-ownedbrands]

The ebay envelopes are $10.00 for 50.

If you decide to order them you should also order the labelopes they are free. Follow the same link PJ listed.

[meetoo121]

thanks guys for the link, I do have an account and I am a VentureOne Member.

the ebay thing you put shirts in called "Ebay Pack" ?? 

[meetoo121]

Sorry,  for double posting, 

but what category is it in? 

[pre-ownedbrands]

Yes it is the ebay pack

[golfing_in_style]

I purchased an official "letter slot" from Canada Post Stores a few years ago. I forget what the item number was but it was one of the best purchases I made, think it was about $18.00 and saved me hours of time standing in line waiting to use their slot. Just make sure it fits through the slot w/o forcing it.

I have never paid for the E-bay shipping envelopes through Canada Post. I order 100 or so every 2-3 months, they've always been free. I realize you must be a Venture 1 member. I ordered 100 of them last week and they arrived yesterday. I just click the re-order button. They're perfect for golf shirts.Whenever I ship a t shirt or an item I hope will fit through the notorious CP slot I use the regular oversized brown envelopes as they don't bend.The E-bay envelopes tend to be more flexible  and sometimes don't fit through the slot.

and man do I ever miss small packet surface to the US. 

[renfrewite]

How do you get the ebay packs free? I got them free years ago, but they have not offered them free for quite some time.  It's the only envelope I use now, if I ship a DVD in them I cut them in half so I can ship 2 things with the one envelope.  The only thing I get free from Canada post now is the labelopes.

[renfrewite]

I just checked and they were going to charge me $3.50 plus tax for 25 ebay envelopes.

[pocomocomputing]

I have one of those Canada post slot templates. Makes it quick and easy to check the 2 cm thickness. I drop my Lettermail Oversize and Light packet into the corner box. No trip to the Post Office.

It also has a 5 mm slot for testing regular envelopes. I have sold some items that I was able to test and check that it fits through the 5 mm thin slot and weighed under 30 or 50 grams so I was able to send a the very inexpensive Lettermail rates of $0.61 for 30 grams and $1.10.

The savings on the 5 mm items alone has paid for the Canada Post template. The template is now $9.20 and not the $18 I paid years ago. The product number is 540008029. I believe it has free shipping.

Here is a link to the sizing template.

http://www.canadapost.ca/shop/commercial-supplies/labels-and-forms/tags-and-ties/p-540008029.jsf?execution=e1s1

[meetoo121]

But is the dimensions for the ebay pack are: (406 mm x 305 mm)

Does that actually fit through the Slot?.. Isn't it do wide?? 

[pocomocomputing]

The maximum dimension for Lettermail/Letterpost/Light Packet is 380 x 270 x 20 mm so you are correct that the eBay Pack would be slightly bigger than the max when full to 20 mm thickness.

But most items are smaller than the eBay Pack. Some sellers fold over the excess and tape it to make it smaller.  Some cut the eBay Pack in half and make two envelopes from one.

[pocomocomputing]

I was looking at an eBay Pack envelope. If you did fill it to 2 cm thick, then the length drops from 406 mm to 366 mm and the width drops from 305 to 265 mm. Why? Because 20 mm is used on the 4 edges from the length and width to cover the thickness you need.

So the eBay Pack envelope length and width will contract to meet the maximum dimensions when filled to a thickness of 20 mm.

[toff3]

Pierre,

You misunderstand Royal Mail pricing policy.

1. The Royal Mail has just two categories of what is generally known as international lettermail or first-class mail: Letters/postcards and Small Parcels. Canada Post has four: Standard Letters and Cards, Other Letter-post, Light Packet and Small Packet. (As an aside, I have never been convinced that Canada Post handles Small Packets in the lettermail stream, rather than the parcel stream).

2. Royal Mail gives the following size specifications for airmail items "in the form of a postcard, letter or packet":

Minimum: One surface at least 90 mm x 140 mm.

No single surface must be longer than 600 mm.

You have to dig a bit for it but Royal Mail's definition of a Letter is "personal correspondence including postcards".

Royal Mail Small Parcels are for "goods, gifts or commercial samples up to 2 kg".

3. Royal Mail pricing for airmail to destinations outside the EU.

Postage for Letters up to 100 g goes up in steps of 10, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 g, from GBP 0.88 to GBP 3.50 (cheaper on-line).

For Small Parcels up to 100 g, there is only one postage rate, GBP 3.50.

Postage rates for Letters and Small Parcels weighing over 100 g are the same.

So, in summary, UK postage rates depend on item content only for mail pieces weighing between 1 and 80 g.

As you can see, the Royal Mail's pricing policy is much fairer and more rational than Canada Post's. It certainly would obviate the lengthy debate that followed your last post.

Tom