12-14-2018 06:17 PM
Solved! Go to Solution.
12-14-2018 06:40 PM
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
12-14-2018 07:57 PM
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!
12-14-2018 08:02 PM
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.
12-14-2018 06:40 PM
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
12-14-2018 06:53 PM
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
12-14-2018 07:00 PM
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
12-14-2018 07:57 PM
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!
12-14-2018 08:02 PM
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.
12-14-2018 08:17 PM
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.
12-14-2018 09:26 PM
My Rule .........
If they want it ....... they will pay the cost for shipping.....