Price and service changes were implemented to Regulated and non-Regulated Transaction Mail and Direct Marketing services on January 11, 2010. Additionally, other recent or upcoming changes of interest to customers are noted below. The posting of the January 2010 changes on July 13, 2009 reflects Canada Post's continuing efforts to respond to customers' requests for a predictable and manageable environment for price and service changes.

The information in this "Overview of Changes" is for information purposes only and should not be regarded or relied upon as legal advice or opinion.

While no substantial changes other than those noted in this Overview of Changes are anticipated, we have reviewed and updated the Customer Guides, Mail Preparation and Presortation Guides and Postal Standards.

Transactional Mail and Direct Marketing Services

Price and service changes are summarized for the following. Select the service name for details:

• Customer Guides Summary of Changes
• Mail Preparation and Presortation Guide Changes
• Lettermail™
• Registered Mail
• Incentive Lettermail™
• U.S.A. and International Letter-post™
• International Incentive Letter-post™
  • *US Direct Entry
• Addressed Admail™
• AdCard™ for Addressed Admail and Unaddressed Admail
• Business Reply Mail™
• International Business Reply Mail™
• Publications Mail™
• Unaddressed Admail™
• Change of Address
• Hold Mail
• Postal Boxes

Frequently asked questions about these changes are available.

Customer Guides (and Mail Preparation and Presortation Guides) are documents that form part of your Agreement with Canada Post. No substantial changes to these documents were made other than those required to implement the changes noted in the respective Overview of Changes below.

The 2010 Customer Guides were posted here on November 9, 2009. Changes to the 2010 Customer Guides include:

• A highlights page indicating where changes have been made.
• Continuation of previous years' efforts for content amalgamation.
• Any changes required to implement the approved 2010 service changes.
• Clarification throughout each guide to improve understanding.

Refer to the Important Updates section, conveniently located at the beginning of each Customer Guide for a listing of the changes for 2010 and quick links to the revised sections.

Mail Preparation and Presortation Guides are documents that form part of your Agreement with Canada Post. No substantial changes to these documents were made other than those required to implement the changes noted in the respective Overview of Changes below.

The 2010 Mail Preparation and Presortation Guides including a page highlighting changes were posted January 11, 2010.

Refer to the Important Updates section, conveniently located at the beginning of each Mail Preparation and Presortation Guide for a listing of the 2010 changes to the Guides and quick links to the revised sections.

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Price changes to our regulated services (Government approved)
In response to rising cost pressures, Canada Post submitted a regulatory proposal, in accordance with the Canada Post Corporation Act, to set the domestic basic letter rate for letters weighing 30 g or less for a five year period, starting January 11, 2010. Approval was received to increase the basic letter rate by three cents to 57 cents, in January 2010, and rise by an additional two cents annually from 2011 to 2014. This provides consumers and businesses with predictable rates for the next five years while still enjoying one of the lowest domestic basic letter rates among developed nations based on current trends.

This longer term solution was needed to ensure that Canada Post continues to meet its service obligations to Canadians, provide customers with the assurance of transparent and predictable rates, and address Canada Post’s financial pressures in order to ensure it does not become a burden on taxpayers. It will also allow Canada Post to address three specific challenges currently facing the company:

• the growing number of addresses Canada Post serves every day;
• declining Lettermail volume - in 2008 alone, the number of transaction mail pieces delivered to Canadian addresses declined by approximately 87 million pieces; and
• the urgent need for critical infrastructure investment.

Other Lettermail Price Changes
Heavier oversized letters attract more costs to process; therefore, Canada Post implemented greater weight segmentation in order to target price increases only to items driving incremental cost. This approach enables pricing that aligns more closely to cost drivers and is similar to other Canada Post products as well as other postal administrations, such as the USPS.

Effective January 11, 2010 the single weight band of Over 200g up to 500g was replaced with three separate weight bands as follows:

• NEW category - Over 200g up to 300g remains the same price at $2.75
• NEW category and price - Over 300g up to 400g increased 9.1% in price from $2.75 to $3.00
• NEW category and price - Over 400g up to 500g increased 18.2% in price from $2.75 to $3.25

For details refer to the 2010 Lettermail Price Sheet.

Registered Mail Price Changes
Effective January 11, 2010, Registered Mail increased by 45 cents (6.0% increase), from $7.50 to $7.95.

Lettermail Summary of Changes

The Lettermail Overview of Changes provides details on the following changes to Lettermail that came into effect January 11, 2010, as well as important reminders.

• NEW (2010) – Lettermail Rebate on Standard (S/L) Lettermail up to 50 g

  This rebate will apply to your first $1000 or less of the full-rate standard, short and long (S/L) Lettermail up to 50g purchased in 2010

• NEW (JAN. 11, 2010) – Repositionable Notes allowed for Lettermail and Incentive Lettermail

  We are pleased to announce that Repositionable Notes are available for Lettermail and Incentive Lettermail. This creative option allows you to affix an adhesive note to the outside of a mail piece, which can be removed by the receiver and adhered to a refrigerator, computer or telephone as a reminder or for future reference after the mail item has been discarded.

• NEW (JAN. 11, 2010) – Do-it-Yourself Checklist for Standard (S/L) Lettermail

  The Do-it-Yourself Checklist to Avoid Common Errors is a great reference tool customers can use as a guide on mail preparation. The newest Do-it-Yourself Checklist for Standard (S/L) Lettermail itemizes the most frequently encountered domestic mailing issues and provides references where you can obtain further information on proper mail preparation.

• RECENTLY IMPLEMENTED - Standardized and Published Receipt Verification Unit Cut-off Times

  We recently standardized and published Receipt Verification Unit cut-off times.

• RECENTLY IMPLEMENTED – New Desktop Version of the Electronic Shipping Tools

  As a result of direct customer input, concept validations and focused usability testing, we’ve updated and redesigned the desktop version of our Electronic Shipping Tools (EST). The new version (named Business Desktop 2.0) introduced many usability enhancements resulting in a more intuitive application and a simplified and streamlined end-user experience.

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Incentive Lettermail Price Changes

There were price increases to the Incentive Lettermail™ service effective January 11, 2010. For details refer to the 2010 Lettermail Price Sheet.

2010 Incentive Lettermail Customer Guide

The 2010 Incentive Lettermail Customer Guide was posted November 9, 2009.

Incentive Lettermail Summary of Changes

The Incentive Lettermail Overview of Changes provides details on the following changes to Incentive Lettermail that came into effect January 11, 2010, as well as important reminders.

• NEW (JAN. 11, 2010) - Machineable Mail Assessment Improvements

  We now offer three windows of opportunity for you to assess and test your mail piece during the creative/production process. Additional Machineable Mail induction sites have been approved for the deposit of Short and Long (S/L) mail.

  We now offer three windows of opportunity for you to assess the machineability of your mail piece during the creative/production process:

  1. Assess the machineability using the Do-It-Yourself checklist.
  2. Submit an electronic copy to our Commercial Service Network.
  3. Submit samples for testing.

  Kitchener and Thunder Bay have now been approved for depositing S/L Machineable Lettermail.

• NEW (JAN. 11, 2010) – Repositionable Notes allowed for Lettermail and Incentive Lettermail

  We are pleased to announce that Repositionable Notes are now available for Lettermail and Incentive Lettermail including Machineable and Presorted Incentive Lettermail. This creative option allows you to affix an adhesive note to the outside of a mail piece, which can be removed by the receiver and adhered to a refrigerator, computer or telephone as a reminder or for future reference after the mail item has been discarded.

• NEW (EARLY 2010) - Helping Improve the Accuracy of Mailing Databases

  New information provided by the Address Accuracy application will identify any rural or apartment addresses within a mailing list where delivery address components are missing.

• RECENTLY IMPLEMENTED - Nesting Hard-sided Containers without Lids

  If you prepare mailings in hard-sided containers for direct Urban Delivery Facility or a Rural Delivery Facility (both Level 1), you may nest hard-sided containers without lids in a monotainer. Additional information is available in the applicable Mail Preparation and Presortation Guides.

• RECENTLY IMPLEMENTED - Standardized and Published Receipt Verification Unit Cut-off Times

  We recently standardized and published Receipt Verification Unit cut-off times.

• RECENTLY IMPLEMENTED – New Desktop Version of the Electronic Shipping Tools

  As a result of direct customer input, concept validations and focused usability testing, we’ve updated and redesigned the desktop version of our Electronic Shipping Tools (EST). The new version (named Business Desktop 2.0) introduced many usability enhancements resulting in a more intuitive application and a simplified and streamlined end-user experience.

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U.S.A. and International Letter-post Price Changes

There were price increases to U.S.A. and International Letter-post effective January 11, 2010. For details refer to the 2010 U.S.A. and International Letter-post Price Sheet.

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International Incentive Letter-post™ (includes the United States of America) offers large volume mailers an incentive-based service for commercial mail destined to the U.S.A. and other international destinations. International Incentive Letter-post provides Canadian-based mailers with a competitive, incentive-based premium, per item or standard service for mail destined to the United States and other international destinations. In order to access the International Incentive Letter-post service and prices, a Customer must enter into an appropriate Agreement with Canada Post.

We have introduced the following changes to International Incentive Letter-post services: On January 1, 2010, a new Universal Postal Union (UPU) provision has taken effect that impacts the addressing requirements for International Incentive Letter-post services (Premium, Standard and Per Item). Specifically, the envelope or wrapping of an item of International Incentive Letter-post may bear only one sender’s address, and one addressee’s address. The sender’s address must be visible on the outside of the item and be located in the country of posting of the item.

Failure to comply with the new provision may result in items being delayed or not delivered by the delivering destination postal administration.

This new provision differs from current provisions which do not require a return address on items of International Incentive Letter-post.

The International Incentive Letter-post Customer Guide has been updated to reflect this change. In addition, throughout the guide, there are changes to how we reference the various International Incentive Letter-post services. When Premium Incentive is mentioned, it now refers to both the USA and International services. The same reference change applies for Standard Incentive and Per Item Incentive.

The updated Customer Guide has been posted on our website. We invite you to visit for quick and easy access to the changes to the International Incentive Letter-post services.

Refer to the International Incentive Letter-post website at for more information.

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Addressed Admail Price Changes

There were price increases to the Addressed Admail™ and Dimensional Addressed Admail services effective January 11, 2010. For details refer to the 2010 Addressed Admail Price Sheet.

2010 Addressed Admail Customer Guide

The 2010 Addressed Admail Customer Guide was posted November 9, 2009.

Addressed Admail Summary of Changes

The Addressed Admail Overview of Changes provides details on the following changes to Addressed Admail that came into effect January 11, 2010, as well as important reminders.

• DEFERRED - Elimination of Bags as an Acceptable Containerization Option for Addressed Admail

  Canada Post will no long supply bags to Addressed Admail customers effective December 31, 2011 and Canada Post will no longer accept mailings for Addressed Admail deposited in bags effective January 16, 2012.

  Refer to the Container Solutions brochure for a list of acceptable containerization options.

  The Mail Preparation and Presortation tutorials are a new tool for presorted (Letter Carrier Presort (LCP) and NDG) Addressed Admail and Publications Mail customers, developed to demonstrate container alternatives and labelling requirements.

• NEW (JAN. 11, 2010) – New Container Solutions for NDG and LCP Addressed Admail

  The use of customer-supplied cardboard boxes is now acceptable, providing specific container guidelines are met.

  Two alternatives are available for customers depositing Addressed Admail at a rural post office or retail counter that does not meet the 70% minimum fill requirement for one hard-sided container; deposit one container with no minimum fill requirement, or deposit loose bundles that are properly labelled and double-strapped or shrink-wrapped.

• NEW (JAN. 11, 2010) – Mandatory Presort Mailing Plan Program and Container Label Requirements for LCP Addressed Admail

  The mandatory import of the Software Evaluation and Recognition Program (SERP) Mailing Plan into Electronic Shipping Tools (EST) and the use of the barcoded container labels for LCP mailings came into effect on January 11, 2010. Addressed Admail LCP mailings that do not comply with these requirements are subject to a surcharge.

• NEW (JAN. 11, 2010) – Acquisition Admail

  Canada Post’s new Acquisition Admail enables cost-effective and accurate targeting of prospects at the Postal Code™ level (using addresses), with the added benefit of excluding current customer addresses from acquisition mailings. With over 12 million available addresses, Acquisition Admail provides access to accurate lists of Canadian residential, business and multi-unit building addresses.

• NEW (JAN. 11, 2010) - Repositionable Notes for Machineable Addressed Admail

  We are pleased to announce that repositionable notes are now available for Machineable Addressed Admail. This creative option allows you to affix an adhesive note to the outside of a mail piece, which can be removed by the receiver and adhered to a refrigerator, computer or telephone as a reminder or for future reference after the mail item has been discarded.

• NEW (JAN. 11, 2010) - Machineable Mail Assessment Improvements

  We now offer three windows of opportunity for you to assess the machineability of your mail piece during the creative/production process:

  1. Assess the machineability using the Do-It-Yourself checklist.
  2. Submit an electronic copy to our Commercial Service Network.
  3. Submit samples for testing.

  Toronto WLPP, Toronto BMF, Kitchener and Thunder Bay have now been approved for depositing S/L Machineable Addressed Admail.

• COMING IN 2011 – Introducing a Machineable Presort Option for Short and Long (S/L) Addressed Admail

  In January 2011, Canada Post will introduce a new mail preparation and presortation option for Short and Long Addressed Admail called Machineable Presort. This new option combines the workshare opportunities available to you with Letter Carrier Presort (LCP) and the efficiencies of mail processing on our mechanized equipment.

• NEW (EARLY 2010) - Helping Improve the Accuracy of Mailing Databases

  New information provided by the Address Accuracy application will identify any rural or apartment addresses within a mailing list where delivery address components are missing.

• RECENTLY IMPLEMENTED - Changes related to Canada Post Reusable Plastic Pallets

  The usage fee and requirement to sign a Memorandum of Agreement have been eliminated and these pallets can now be used to carry containerized mail.

• RECENTLY IMPLEMENTED - Nesting Hard-sided Containers without Lids

  If you prepare mailings in hard-sided containers for direct Urban Delivery Facility or a Rural Delivery Facility (both Level 1), you may nest hard-sided containers without lids in a monotainer. Additional information is available in the applicable Mail Preparation and Presortation Guides.

• RECENTLY IMPLEMENTED - Standardized and Published Receipt Verification Unit Cut-off Times

  We recently standardized and published Receipt Verification Unit cut-off times.

• RECENTLY IMPLEMENTED – New Desktop Version of the Electronic Shipping Tools

  As a result of direct customer input, concept validations and focused usability testing, we’ve updated and redesigned the desktop version of our Electronic Shipping Tools (EST). The new version (named Business Desktop 2.0) introduced many usability enhancements resulting in a more intuitive application and a simplified and streamlined end-user experience.

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• RECENTLY IMPLEMENTED

  We have separated the AdCard production and postage prices. As a result, some AdCard customers will see this change reflected on their Canada Post invoice as separate line items or on two separate invoices.

  In addition to AdCard volumes counting towards your Unaddressed Admail annual volume commitment, your Unaddressed Admail contract price (discount level) now applies to the postage price for AdCard mailings (plus applicable Transportation Fees).

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Business Reply Mail Price Changes

There were price increases to Business Reply Mail™ and International Business Reply Mail™ effective January 11, 2010. For details refer to the 2010 Business Reply Mail Price Sheet.

2010 Business Reply Mail Customer Guide

The 2010 Business Reply Mail Customer Guide was posted November 9, 2009.

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Publications Mail Price Changes

There were price increases to Publications Mail ™ effective January 11, 2010. For details refer to the 2010 Publications Mail Price Sheet.

Please Note: The Publications Mail Machineable Oversize “Over 500 g up to 750 g” weight band was discontinued effective January 11, 2010.

2010 Publications Mail Customer Guide

The 2010 Publications Mail Customer Guide was posted November 9, 2009.

Publications Mail Summary of Changes

The Publications Mail Overview of Changes provides details on the following changes to Publications Mail that came into effect January 11, 2010, as well as important reminders.

• NEW (JAN. 11, 2010) – Publications Mail New Maximum Weight of 500g for O/S Machineable

  The Publications Mail Machineable O/S “Over 500 g up to 750 g” weight band was discontinued effective January 11, 2010, as a result of low volumes and increasingly manual processing requirements for this weight category.

• DEFERRED – Elimination of Bags as an Acceptable Containerization Option for Publications Mail

  Canada Post will no long supply bags to Publications Mail customers effective December 31, 2011 and Canada Post will no longer accept mailings for Publications Mail deposited in bags effective January 16, 2012.

  Refer to the Container Solutions brochure for a list of acceptable containerization options.

  The Mail Preparation and Presortation tutorials are a new tool for presorted (Letter Carrier Presort (LCP) and NDG) Addressed Admail and Publications Mail customers, developed to demonstrate container alternatives and labelling requirements.

• NEW (JAN. 11, 2010) – New Container Solutions for NDG and LCP Publications Mail

  The use of customer-supplied cardboard boxes is now acceptable, providing specific container guidelines are met.

  Two alternatives are available for customers depositing Publications Mail at a rural post office or retail counter that does not meet the 70% minimum fill requirement for one hard-sided container; deposit one container with no minimum fill requirement, or deposit loose bundles that are properly labelled and double-strapped or shrink-wrapped.

  Publications Mail customers mailing items that are too large to fit in flats tubs may brick-pile these items up the Residue level when depositing at a Receipt Verification Unit (RVU).

• NEW (JAN. 11, 2010) – Mandatory Presort Mailing Plan Program and Container Label Requirements for LCP Publications Mail

  The mandatory import of the Software Evaluation and Recognition Program (SERP) Mailing Plan into Electronic Shipping Tools (EST) and the use of the barcoded container labels for LCP mailings came into effect on January 11, 2010. Publications Mail LCP mailings that do not comply with these requirements will be subject to a surcharge .

  Refer to the Publications Mail Overview of Changes for updates on spoilage/shortage solution; process for variance in the number of containers versus labels and surcharges.

• NEW (JAN. 11, 2010) - Repositionable Notes for Machineable Publications Mail

  We are pleased to announce that Repositionable Notes are now available for Machineable Publications Mail. This creative option allows you to affix an adhesive note to the outside of a mail piece, which can be removed by the receiver and adhered to a refrigerator, computer or telephone as a reminder or for future reference after the mail item has been discarded.

• NEW (JAN. 11, 2010) - Machineable Mail Assessment Improvements

  We now offer three windows of opportunity for you to assess the machineability of your mail piece during the creative/production process:

  1. Assess the machineability using the Do-It-Yourself checklist.
  2. Submit an electronic copy to our Commercial Service Network.
  3. Submit samples for testing.

  Toronto WLPP, Toronto BMF, Kitchener and Thunder Bay have now been approved for depositing S/L Machineable Publications Mail.

• NEW (EARLY 2010) - Helping Improve the Accuracy of Mailing Databases

  New information provided by the Address Accuracy application will identify any rural or apartment addresses within a mailing list where delivery address components are missing.

• RECENTLY IMPROVED – Subscription Driver Program

  The Subscription Driver Program can increase your subscription levels by advertising your publications free of charge on our website at canadapost.ca/magazines.

• COMING APRIL 1, 2010 – Publications Assistance Program (PAP) Will No Longer Exist

  The Department of Canadian Heritage (DCH) will be launching a new subsidy program, the Canadian Periodical Fund (CPF) for eligible publishers on April 1, 2010.

• RECENTLY IMPLEMENTED - Changes related to Canada Post Reusable Plastic Pallets

  The usage fee and requirement to sign a Memorandum of Agreement have been eliminated and these pallets can now be used to carry containerized mail.

• RECENTLY IMPLEMENTED - Nesting Hard-sided Containers without Lids

  If you prepare mailings in hard-sided containers for direct Urban Delivery Facility or a Rural Delivery Facility (both Level1), you may nest hard-sided containers without lids in monotainers. Additional information is available in the applicable Mail Preparation and Presortation Guides.

• RECENTLY IMPLEMENTED - Standardized and Published Receipt Verification Unit Cut-off Times

  We recently standardized and published Receipt Verification Unit cut-off times.

• RECENTLY IMPLEMENTED – New Desktop Version of the Electronic Shipping Tools

  As a result of direct customer input, concept validations and focused usability testing, we’ve updated and redesigned the desktop version of our Electronic Shipping Tools (EST). The new version (named Business Desktop 2.0) introduced many usability enhancements resulting in a more intuitive application and a simplified and streamlined end-user experience.

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Unaddressed Admail Price Changes

There were price increases to Unaddressed Admail™ effective January 11, 2010. A Price Sheet for Non-Contract prices only is available. Qualifying customers may have access to lower prices by signing an Agreement. For further details contact the Commercial Service Network.

The transportation fees for Unaddressed Admail have been reduced by 33.3% for all three weight bands.

2010 Unaddressed Admail Customer Guide

The 2010 Unaddressed Admail Customer Guide was posted November 9, 2009.

Unaddressed Admail Summary of Changes

The Unaddressed Admail Overview of Changes provides details on the following changes to Unaddressed Admail that came into effect January 11, 2010, as well as important reminders.

• NEW (JAN. 11, 2010) – Unaddressed Admail Bag Exit Initiative

Canada Post stopped supplying bags for use with Unaddressed Admail as of December 31, 2009. Unaddressed Admail deposited in bags will be refused as of January 11, 2010. To help customers transition to alternative container types, several changes have been made to container requirements.

Refer to the Container Solutions brochure for a list of acceptable containerization options.

• RECENTLY IMPLEMENTED – New Desktop Version of the Electronic Shipping Tools

As a result of direct customer input, concept validations and focused usability testing, we’ve updated and redesigned the desktop version of our Electronic Shipping Tools (EST). The new version (named Business Desktop 2.0) introduced many usability enhancements resulting in a more intuitive application and a simplified and streamlined end-user experience.

The Admail Delivery Slip (ADS) delivery information has been added to the redesigned container label when the Business Desktop 2.0 version of EST is used, thus eliminating the requirement for an ADS.

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Effective Date – January 11, 2010

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Effective Date – January 11, 2010

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Effective Date - January 1, 2010

To determine which pricing table to use, consult your local Post Office.

Postal Box prices ($) for Urban Areas Excluding Toronto and Vancouver Cores

Postal Box Prices ($) for Urban Areas for Toronto and Vancouver*

Postal Box Prices ($) for Rural Areas

Postal Boxes Refund Tables

Refund Prices ($) for Urban Areas Excluding Toronto and Vancouver Cores

Refund Prices ($) for Urban Core Areas for Toronto and Vancouver

Refund Prices ($) for Rural Areas

Refund Prices ($) for General Delivery

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