Post Office Refused US Lettermail that's not letters

[retroman_studios]

So the title sorta sums it up. I had two packages going to the US, small enough to go letter mail rates and the guy feels the packages and says is it letter mail? I say no, then he says you have to send parcel. So I fill out the custom forms and send small packet air, which is OK because I always manage my shiping funds to account for situations like this.

However, is this new? I have sent from that location before Lettermail to the US and never had a problem. This is the first issue I had. If I understand he is the owner.

I have had reservations about this third party location since it changed ownership a few years ago. My mom sent items and always felt she was overcharged.

Any thoughts?

[cumos55 · Accepted solution]

Lettermail... more specifically ..... letterpost to the US ......must only contain paper.

I cannot mail bound pages in the form of a book.

If it is anything other than pages of paper....  the parcel must be shipped, as small packet, with a customs declaration.

This is an enforcement of rules that were always there.... Now the rules are being enforced.

One gets the impression that there is a greater concern with respect to what is being shipped into the US

[lotzofuniquegoodies]

Unfortunately, if the item being sent is not considered a document/printed matter or similar it's technically not permitted to go letter rate. From time to time items get snuck through but they were taking a chance. Anything, not document going internationally requires customs documentation to be processed. Customs has the right to inspect anything cross a border no matter how small it is, for legalities and to collect taxes. Link below on acceptable and unacceptable.

Use postage stamps to send your letters, cards and other lightweight papers anywhere in the world. You can calculate how much postage you’ll need and buy stamps online or at your nearest post office.

https://www.canadapost.ca/tools/pg/manual/PGletpost-e.asp#1395417

Letter weight and size

Know which mail size applies to your item to get the right postage rate. Use weight and dimensions to determine whether your mail is standard or oversize. Also, see tips to prepare large mailings for special occasions.

Use postage stamps to send your letters, cards and other lightweight papers anywhere in the world. You can calculate how much postage you’ll need and buy stamps online or at your nearest post office.

And with the recent postal situation, there may be a few employees that are going by the letter of the law and enforcing all of the rules. It's posted and it's how they make their money.

-CM

[lotzofuniquegoodies]

Breakdown of Acceptable and Non-Acceptable attached:

Acceptable Items

Definition

Items composed of paper

Paper or other material with the general characteristics of paper (e.g., tickets, photographs, etc.).

Enclosures

Only paper enclosures which meet the requirements for Letter-post (U.S.A. and International).

Unacceptable items

• small packets

• goods

• film, audio or video recording (diskettes, CD, DVD)

• unsealed self-mailers and envelopes

• items prohibited by law or defined as dangerous goods in Canada or in the destination country (see Non-mailable Matteror International Destination Listing for more information).

-CM

[recped · Accepted solution]

While Canada Post was one of the first postal operator to go the "no merchandise in First Class Mail" (at least 3 years ago) route it's been spreading fast and will be in effect for virtually all postal services in the near future.

The Universal Postal Union (UPU) has mandated this action be implemented by all member countries as part of the streamlining of international postal services and how they are processed through customs.

You can still lie of course and if the packages are not obviously containing non-documents you'll get away with it (for now). People who sell things like postcards and stamps will probably be able to get away with it forever!

[femmefan1946 · Accepted solution]

I had two packages going to the US, small enough to go letter mail rates and the guy feels the packages and says is it letter mail?

Doesn't that location have a postbox outside?

Things in the postbox go directly to the terminal conveyor belts.

[retroman_studios]

Thanks to all who replied. 

It's weird that I never had an issue before, but I  guess they never were enforcing it. So I will update my listings for US based and hopefully the few extra dollars won't be too much of a put off. My typical shipping rate for US was $5 so now I think it will be $7.50 and that should cover most scenarios.

[cumos55]

My Rule .........

If they want it   .......    they will pay the cost for shipping.....