//just a heads up, this is going to be a long forum post. Get prepared for a read.
Hey everybody!
As some of you know (or may not), I've been working part time in a Postal Outlet for close to three years now to help cover my tuition costs. A Postal Outlet, for those who don't know, is a "Post Office" that is within another host business, like a Shoppers Drug Mart, or a grocery store. We offer the majority of Canada Post products and services, but by no means are we actually employees of Canada Post.
Now, as 99.9% of the sellers here recently found out, is that Small Packet Surface to the US is going to be discontinued, and every Small Packet service (US or international) is going to be losing it's $100 insurance coverage. To compensate for the changes, CP is going to be adding a service called "Tracked Packet" which will be a tracked & insured (max $100) parcel service available to the US and 20 international locations. There already have been multiple posts regarding this, so I won't be too general, I will get into specifics.
Working at a Postal Outlet, CP sends us these information emails known as "InfoPost" to inform us about important changes. We have gotten a January 2013 edition recently that explains most of the changes. What I write below is not copied exactly, is just a summary of what the big boys at Canada Post are telling us to know. Any section where you see // and then text is my comment.
Here's a summary of the infopost:
"On February 11, 2013, Tracked Packet will be introduced in all RPS post offices. This new service will include Tracked Packet - USA and Tracked Packet - International.
Tracked Packet service has been available since January 14, 2013, to commercial and online customers. As of February 11, RPS post offices can sell this service to consumers too!
The new Tracked Packet service will help us grow our e-commerce business by allowing customers who ship small, lightweight items to the United States and certain international destinations to track their shipments at a lower cost than other current barcoded services with up to $100 liability coverage included."
//that was on the front page, basically is a brief summary.
Tracked Packet Service Details
Tracking and delivery confirmation: provides barcode scans during the delivery process: induction, departure from Canada, arrival in destination country, attempted and successful delivery.
Delivery Standards: Delivery standards are between major centres and provide an expected delivery date guideline for the sender and receiver. USA: 4-7 business days. International: 6-10 business days DELIVERY STANDARDS ARE NOT GUARANTEED.
Liability Coverage: Up to $100 is included (no additional)
Max Weight: USA: Up to 1kg International Up to 2kg
Min Dimensions: 14cmx9cmx0.1cm
Max Dimensions: Length*width*height = 90cm (No one dimension can exceed 60cm)
Available to USA and Australia, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom.
RPS will generate a barcode number and print a barcode label for all Tracked Packet items.
On all Tracked Packet items, a Small Packet Shipping Form (43-074-253) must be completed by the customer. You no longer have to complete the shaded area as these details are on the postage meter and customer receipt. You must also apply two blue Air Mail stickers (43-074-038).
//by the shaded area, CP is referring to the left side of the form where the clerk fills out RPO #, date, //weight, etc
The following steps must be completed for all items with a declared value greater than $500. An International Parcel Air/Surface CP72 shipping label must be completed and affixed to the item, and you must write /23 beside or below the CN22 notation for customs purposes. Reminder: coverage up to $100, with no additional.
//so if the item you are shipping is >$500, you need to fill out the other form, NOT the small packet form. //But no extra insurance is provided, even if your item is that expensive.
No zoning to the US, one rate will apply to all states. Non-express fuel surcharge will apply.
The RPS customer receipt will be updated to include, track/trace barcode, dangerous goods clause.
Important Dates:
January 14, 2013: Liability coverage is discontinued for USA/International Small Packet Air/Surface
February 11, 2013: Small Packet Surface - USA discontinued.
// I left out some parts of the infopost that were directly addressed to us, the clerks, such as how to do the // procedures on the computer. Hope this helps you all!
