Buzz
Canada Post is the reliable service for delivering cards, letters, and parcels across Canada and worldwide. To utilize Canada Post efficiently, ensure your items are well-packaged and properly addressed. Pay the correct postage based on size and weight, and consider tracking your shipment for added peace of mind.
Steps
Sending Cards and Letters
Opt for the appropriate-sized envelope for your mail. The size of your envelope impacts postage costs. Canada Post categorizes mail into standard and non-standard sizes. Standard mail, including cards and letters, must fall within minimum dimensions of 140 mm x 90 mm (5.5 in. x 3.5 in.) and maximum dimensions of 245 mm x 156 mm (9.6 in. x 6.1 in.). Attempt to use envelopes within these standard dimensions to avoid extra charges. Envelopes outside this range are considered non-standard and may incur additional fees.
- For mailing to the US or other international destinations, standard mail should not exceed 235 mm x 120 mm (9.2 in. x 4.7 in.).
Determine your postage rate. Your postage rate depends on the size, weight, and destination of your mail. Typically, a standard card or letter within Canada requires one stamp. For non-standard and international mail, additional postage is usually necessary. Visit https://www.canadapost.ca/cpotools/apps/far/business/findARate to calculate your rate online.
- For standard mail weighing up to 30 g (approximately 5 sheets of paper), the postage is $1.07 per stamp as of 2020. Purchasing a booklet of stamps reduces the cost to around $0.92 per stamp. Standard mail weighing 30 g to 50 g (around 9 sheets of paper) requires $1.30 postage. Anything larger is considered non-standard size.
- If unsure, simply take your letters to the nearest post office.
Address the envelope in uppercase block letters. Write the recipient's address in the center of the back of the envelope (opposite the flap). A standard Canadian address consists of 3 lines: recipient's name, civic address, and municipality, province, and postal code. For example:
- SAMUEL GAGNON
10-123 MAIN ST SE
MONTREAL QC H3Z 2Y7
Drop your letter in any Canadian mailbox. After addressing the envelope correctly and affixing the postage, you can send it by placing it in any mailbox. A letter carrier will collect it during mail delivery. To expedite delivery, take your letter to the post office in person.
- Mail is collected from large red mailboxes at specific times each day. Check the mailbox for the next collection time and the expected dispatch of your letter.
Opt for registered mail for tracking. Registered mail provides a mailing receipt upon delivery of your letter or card. The receipt includes the recipient's signature and the delivery date. As of 2020, registered mail costs $9.75 in addition to standard postage.
- Registered mail service is available only when you present your letter or card in person at the nearest post office.
Shipping Parcels
Register for a Canada Post online account to ship online. Visit https://www.canadapost.ca/cpc/en/personal/receiving/manage-mail/epost.page to sign up for an online account if you don't already have one. You can also download a free app to generate shipping labels using your smartphone or other mobile device.
- You need a valid physical postal address in Canada to utilize the epost service.
- Your epost account offers additional conveniences such as ordering stamps and receiving parcel notifications.
Input details about the parcel you intend to ship. Provide the destination address, as well as the weight and dimensions of the parcel. If you're uncertain about the weight or lack a scale, Canada Post provides guidelines to estimate shipping weight.
- Your parcel should be large enough to accommodate the shipping label's barcode on one side without folding it. If your box is too small, place it inside a larger box for shipping.
Buy and print your customized shipping label. Once you've entered the destination, weight, and dimensions of your parcel, epost will display the shipping cost. You can make the payment online using any major debit or credit card. Then, print the file containing the shipping label for your parcel.
- If you lack a printer at home, the post office will print your pre-purchased shipping label for free when you bring your parcel in for delivery.
Affix the shipping label to your parcel. Position the shipping label at the center of the largest side of your parcel to ensure full visibility. Use clear, sturdy packing tape to secure all edges, ensuring the label lies flat and free of wrinkles against the box.
- Utilize strong, transparent packing tape to attach your shipping label. Avoid covering the barcode with tape as it may hinder scanning.
Drop off your parcel at the nearest post office. If your parcel fits inside a mailbox, you can leave it there for collection by a mail carrier. Otherwise, take it to the post office. Since you've already paid for your shipping label online, there's no further action required at the post office to ship your parcel.
- If you didn't create a shipping label online, take your parcel to the nearest post office for mailing. They will weigh and measure your parcel and generate the shipping label for you.
- Once your parcel is dispatched, you can track its progress online via the Canada Post website or using the Canada Post app on your smartphone or tablet.
Proper Parcel Wrapping Techniques
Ensure items are securely packed in a durable, leak-proof container. Canada Post parcels consist of both inner and outer containers. Utilize the inner container to encase your items securely. For liquids, opt for a plastic or metal inner container with a tight-fitting lid.
- When shipping fragile items, wrap them in tissue paper or newspaper before placing them in the inner container. For delicate glass items like picture frames, sandwich the glass between sheets of corrugated cardboard and secure them together with tape to prevent sliding.
Label the inner container with both the destination and return addresses. Apply names and addresses to the inner container as you would on the outer container. This ensures parcel protection in case the outer container is damaged.
- Include your name and return address to inform the recipient and enable Canada Post to return the parcel if delivery issues arise.
Position the inner container inside a sturdy cardboard shipping box. Opt for a high-quality cardboard box and cover or obscure any previous shipping addresses or labels. Ensure the inner container is snugly fitted within the shipping box.
- Securely pack the parcel to withstand a 1-meter drop onto a concrete floor. If there's excess space, add cushioning material like newspaper or bubble wrap to prevent damage.
Seal the shipping box using reinforced tape. Use tape on all box flaps to eliminate gaps and ensure they lie flat. If gaps persist or flaps open, consider using a larger box.
- Rotate the box in all directions to confirm tape adherence.
Wrap the shipping box with kraft paper. Kraft paper, a thick brown packaging paper similar to that of a brown paper grocery bag, can be purchased online, at the post office, or at discount or hobby stores. Wrap the shipping box in the paper as you would wrap a gift.
- Secure all seams of the paper with reinforced shipping tape, ensuring thorough sealing and complete coverage of the shipping box.
Include any special instructions on the shipping box. For parcels containing fragile or hazardous items, prominently display a warning in all capital letters on the top and one side of the box to alert handlers to handle the parcel with care. Additionally, parcels containing known allergens such as peanuts, sesame seeds, tree nuts (e.g., almonds or walnuts), and eggs should be appropriately labeled.
- For instance, if shipping a glass vase, label 'FRAGILE' on the top and one side of the box. For perishable food items, label 'PERISHABLE.'
- Once you've attached the necessary shipping label, your parcel is ready for dispatch.
Helpful Tips
- If you need to return a purchase, check for a provided return code. With a return code, you can print a free return shipping label online.
Warnings
- Canada Post does not accept parcels, cards, or letters with any detectable odor.
- You may not send items through Canada Post that are prohibited by Canadian law, including drugs, gambling materials, and obscene content.
- If shipping hazardous materials that are not prohibited, ensure they are packaged in a manner that poses no risk to postal handlers.
