Canada Post - Glossary

(2)

The destination where mail is delivered to and received at. [adresse]

A program designed to encourage mailers to ensure that all the components of an address are present and correct and that they match information in Canada Post’s database. [Programme d’exactitude des adresses]

address carrier

See the Publications Mail Customer Guide at canadapost.ca/pmsupportdocuments. [porte-adresse]

address incomplete; incomplete address

An address whose vital elements are missing. [adresse incomplète]

Addressed Admail (AA)

A direct mail service for items bearing a uniform message that promotes the sale or use of products or services, solicits donations or contributions, or reports on financial performance primarily for promotional purposes. [Médiaposte avec adresse (MAA)]

addressee

The person, business or institution to which a mail item or shipment is addressed. [destinataire]

addressee’s representative

See authorized representative. [représentant du destinataire]

Admail

The family of Canada Post products and services that are primarily used for advertising by mail. [Médiaposte]

Note: Admail is a trademark of Canada Post.

advertising brochure

See the Publications Mail Customer Guide at canadapost.ca/pmsupportdocuments. [brochure publicitaire]

advertorial

See the Publications Mail Customer Guide at canadapost.ca/pmsupportdocuments. [publireportage]

Advice of Receipt (AR); AR card

A proof of delivery in hard copy including the date and signature of the addressee and available for International Registered Mail. [Avis de réception (AR); carte AR]

AES

See Automated Enquiry System. [Système automatisé de renseignements (SAR)]

agreement year

A period of 12 consecutive calendar months falling between 2 anniversary dates. [année de convention]

air mail

Mail paid at the air mail rate for transportation by air. [courrier-avion]

Air Mail service (AMS)

A route or service used to carry mail by air. [Service postal aérien (SPA)]

air mail sticker

An adhesive label used on international air parcels and U.S.A. and international air Small Packets. [étiquette par avion]

Air Stage Freight prices

For commercial customers with an Air Stage Freight Service contract under the Parcel Services Agreement, these prices are only applicable from designated staging points (where mail is airlifted to and from an Air Stage Office) and Food Entry Points (the facility where food shipments must be dropped off in order to be flown to an Air Stage Office). [tarifs du Service-fret aérien omnibus]

Air Stage Freight service

This service is available by contract only, under the Parcel Services Agreement. This service is for customers shipping items which are deemed as essential or food items as shown on the Eligible and Non-Eligible Lists. Items shipped under the Air Stage (Funded) service will be accepted at the designated food entry points only, and the non-food shipments will be accepted at the designated staging Points or Food Entry Points. [Service-fret aérien omnibus]

Air Stage office

A post office to or from which all mail must be airlifted for more than 6 months of every year when a viable surface transportation alternative is not available. This type of office is generally confined to remote or isolated communities in northern areas of the country, and is specified in the Air Stage Office List established by Canada Post. [bureau du Service aérien omnibus]

airlift

Transport of mail prepaid at surface prices by air to speed delivery which is normally to a destination outside Canada. [aéroportage]

alcoholic beverage

Any beverage intended for human consumption containing alcohol (e.g. beer, wine and spirits) as defined in the Excise Act R.S.C. 1985 C.E.-14, as amended. [boisson alcoolique]

alphanumeric sequencing

Mail is sequenced by the Delivery Mode Detail (DMD) which is located in positions 66 to 69 of the Delivery Mode Data. The exact Delivery Mode Detail (DMD) is a four-character, left-justified data field that may contain numeric characters or a combination of numeric and alphabetic characters. DMD’s that are a combination of alpha and numeric characters will have 1 to 3 alpha characters in the left. Those with 1 alpha character are followed by up to 3 numeric characters. The Alphanumeric Sequencing has the following requirements:

•	at a minimum, Canada Post requires that groupings be sequenced by the Delivery Mode Detail in alphanumeric order

•	records that have numeric characters only are sorted first in numerical, ascending order. Records that have alphabetical characters in the left are sorted alphabetically, in ascending order and then by any numerical characters in numeric, ascending order

•	DMD’s that are a combination of numeric and alpha characters have blank spaces to the right where appropriate

•	the overall sequencing of DMD may be done in either ascending or descending order. Ascending order is the preferred method of sequencing; however, descending order is acceptable as long as consistency is maintained. [tri séquentiel alphanumérique]

ANA NAN

The alpha-numeric (A)-(N) formula that makes up the Canada postal code. [ANA NAN]

Note: “A” represents an alphabetic character; “N” represents a numeric character. The two units of the code have different functions: ANA represents the forward sortation area (FSA), and NAN represents the local delivery unit (LDU).

annual purchase contract

Agreement under which a person agrees to purchase 250 or more prepaid containers over a period of 12 months or less. [convention d’achat annuel]

AO mail; other items

Items which do not meet the normal size limits of standard mail such as letters, postcards or parcels. [autres objets (AO)]

Note: The synonym AO mail is an abbreviation of the international term “autres objets” used by the Universal Postal Union.

applicable published prices

With respect to each product and service, the applicable prices, including any applicable fees, charges or surcharges, and less any applicable rebate, set by Canada Post and in effect at the time of mailing, as published and/or made available by Canada Post for general application to its customers, as amended from time to time. [tarifs publiés applicables]

approval; stamp approval

A postage stamp selection sent by a stamp dealer to a collector for his inspection. [à l’examen; sous condition]

AR; AR card

See Advice of Receipt (AR). [Avis de réception]

area control list

A list of countries to which the export of certain goods is controlled. [liste des pays visés]

Note: This list is established under the Export and Import Permits Act.

area deposit

A mailing deposited in the mail processing facility or mail induction centre which dispatches directly to the final site from which the mail will be delivered to the addressee. [dépôt dans le secteur]

assessed weight

The greater of the actual weight and the volume divided by the volumetric weight factor. [poids établi]

Note: The assessed weight is calculated for each piece of mail and is used to determine the postage.

authorized representative; recognized representative of an addressee

A person with written authorization to pick up, receive and sign for mail addressed to another party. [représentant autorisé; représentant reconnu du destinataire]

Note: For items delivered to the door (addressee’s address), the person who answers the door is considered the authorized representative and may accept the item by virtue of having access to the addressee’s premises. For items delivered to the post office (notice to pick up at the post office), the authorized representative must present a letter of authorization as per Canada Post current identification requirements policy. Canada Post employees do not have the authority to sign on behalf of a customer during the course of their duties or while wearing their uniforms.

authorized user

A party designated by the customer and approved by Canada Post to have access to the products and services offered under a specific agreement. [utilisateur autorisé]

Note: Unless otherwise specified in the Agreement, an authorized user has full access to the products and services offered under the Agreement.

Automated Enquiry System (AES)

A computerized system using bar code technology that enables a mailer to obtain delivery information by telephone about his mail item. [système automatisé de renseignements (SAR)]

automated operation

A mail processing operation performed by mechanized means with specialized systems or devices. [opération automatisée]

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back issue See the Publications Mail Customer Guide at canadapost.ca/pmsupportdocuments. [numéro antérieur]
bag See mail bag. [sac postal; sac]
bag depository Location, usually within certain large postal facilities, where empty mail bags are received, examined, stored and forwarded to other postal facilities as required. [dépôt de sacs]
bag label A piece of thin cardboard containing a colour coded bar with pre-printed or hand-written information to be inserted in the label holder on mail bags to show the destination and contents of the bag. (Also referred to as a keeper tag or a bag tag). [étiquette de sac]
bag rack Framework with hooks used to hold bags open, to enable mail to be dropped in. Capacity varies from two to 16 bags. Label holders on the frame identify the destination of each bag. [râtelier à sacs]
bag service A rental service provided because postal boxes are not available or are not large enough to meet the customer’s needs. [service de sacs]
base price See the Publications Mail Customer Guide at canadapost.ca/pmsupportdocuments. [tarif de base]
base weight See the Publications Mail Customer Guide at canadapost.ca/pmsupportdocuments. [poids de base]
beauty seal See the Publications Mail Customer Guide at canadapost.ca/pmsupportdocuments. [sachet de produit de beauté]
Bilateral Postal Convention Agreement concerning postal services made between Canada and the United States or other postal administrations. [Convention postale bilatérale]
Bill of Lading (BOL) A document completed by the shipper, detailing both the shipper and the receiver’s full addresses, including the postal code, and telephone numbers. [Connaissement] Note: The Bill of Lading must be completed in English or include an English translation.
binary bar code A series of parallel, vertical bars representing the postal code of the addressee, that are printed in fluorescent ink on the lower right corner of mail for automated machine reading purposes. [code à barres binaire]
block A segment of a letter carrier route indicated by an individual local delivery unit (LDU) rather than a particular part of a street as defined by municipal authorities, or one side of a city street between two intersections. [îlot; section de rue]
block Unit of four or more stamps arranged from two or more horizontal rows, not separated. (bloc)
BMF See bulk mail facility. [installation de traitement en vrac (ITV)]
book See the Publications Mail Customer Guide at canadapost.ca/pmsupportdocuments. [livre]
book presort option A mail presortation option for Regular Parcel. [option Tri préliminaire des livres]
booklet See the Publications Mail Customer Guide at canadapost.ca/pmsupportdocuments. [livret]
bound See the Publications Mail Customer Guide at canadapost.ca/pmsupportdocuments. [relié]
box assembly See mailbox assembly. [batterie de boîtes aux lettres]
boxholder A customer renting or using a post office box. [locataire de case postale]
BPS See bulk processing stream. [flot de traitement en vrac (FTV)]
breakdown Resorting the contents of mixed bundles into straights. Also includes the sorting of bags of mail, publishers’ bundles or parcels received loose at the loading docks. [répartition]
break The separation point between letter carrier routes. [coupage]
BRM See Business Reply Mail. [Correspondance-réponse d‘affaires (CRA)]
brochure One folded sheet of paper that contains information other than merchandise or services for sale. [dépliant]
bulk form Any type of mail consolidated in a bag or other container of similar size. [envois en vrac]
bulk mail facility (BMF) Facility designed specifically for processing all mail in the bulk processing stream. This is a component of a mail processing plant. [installation de traitement en vrac]
bulk mail An expression used in postal facilities to describe a quantity of mail. [envois en nombre]
bulk processing stream (BPS) Processing stream representing mail input in bulk form for delivery in bulk form. [flot de traitement en vrac FTV]
bulletin of verification (BV) Form used in international mail to communicate between exchange offices in different countries. All irregularities observed in international mail dispatches are reported on this form. [bulletin de vérification BV]
bundle label See facing slip. [étiquette de liasse]
bundle of unaddressed copies See the Publications Mail ustomer Guide at canadapost.ca/pmsupportdocuments. [liasse d’exemplaires non adressés]
bundle A specific number of same-size mail tied or banded together. A bundle is also mail banded together according to mail preparation requirements. [liasse]
bundling Grouping Mail pieces together by elastic, string or plastic straps. Single strap is used in containers. Double strap is used in bags. [enliassement]
business day A day other than Saturday, Sunday, a statutory holiday and any day normally observed as a holiday by Canada Post. [jour ouvrable]
business distribution The delivery of mail to a business address. [distribution aux entreprises]
Business Reply Mail (BRM) A direct response mail service, available in the form of a postage paid, pre-addressed card or envelope, bearing the appropriate design elements approved by Canada Post, used by businesses, publishers, government departments, fundraisers and other organizations to seek response from recipients within Canada and around the world. [Corrrespondance-réponse d‘affaires (CRA)] Note: Business Reply Mail is a trademark of Canada Post.
Business Reply Mail consumer A person who uses a Business Reply Mail card or envelope as their response vehicle of choice to a Business Reply Mail customer. [utilisateur du service Correspondance-réponse d‘affaires]
Business Reply Mail customer A person who enters a Business Reply Mail agreement and obtains the approval of Canada Post to distribute envelopes or cards that meet the requirements of the Corporation for Business Reply Mail. [client du service Correspondance-réponse d’affaires]
buyer’s guide See the Publications Mail Customer Guide at canadapost.ca/pmsupportdocuments. [guide du consommateur, guide d’achat ou guide source]
BV See bulletin of verification. [bulletin de vérification (BV)]
by-law See the Publications Mail Customer Guide at canadapost.ca/pmsupportdocuments. [règlement municipal, règlement intérieur, règlement administratif]

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C/O

See care of. [Aux soins de (A/S)]

cachet

Special design or inscription on an envelope to commemorate a postal or philatelic event relating to the stamp, an advertisement forming part of a postage meter impression, or a motto or slogan included in a postal cancellation. [flamme]

cage

Enclosed area where registers, shortpaid, etc. are handled. [cabine]

Canada Gazette, Part II

All Regulations as defined in the Statutory Instruments Act and certain other classes of instruments and documents required to be published. Regulations made under Section 19 of the Canada Post Corporation Act are published in the Gazette. [Gazette du Canada, Partie II]

Canada Post Corporation (CPC)

A Corporation established by an Act of Parliament to carry out certain activities under the direction and control of a Board of Directors. [Société canadienne des postes (SCP)]

Canada Post Corporation Gazetted Regulations

Regulations proposed by Canada Post and approved by the Governor in Council pursuant to the Canada Post Corporation Act and Regulations. [règlements de la Société canadienne des postes publiés dans la Gazette]

Canada Post responsibility for mail

Canada Post’s responsibility for mail ends with the correct delivery of mail to an address, a legal representative, a mail receptacle or a postal box. When delivering an item requiring a signature, Canada Post’s responsibility ends when the addressee or authorized Representative signs for the article. For non-registered items requiring a signature, if the addressee refuses to sign for the item, Canada Post will ask the addressee to print his/her name in block letters. If the addressee refuses, Canada Post will deliver the item and indicate SIGNATURE REFUSED in the signature box. [responsabilité de Postes Canada]

Canada Post

Commercial name of the Canada Post Corporation. See Canada Post Corporation (CPC). [Postes Canada]

Canadian Forces Post Office (CFPO)

A military post office operated by the Canadian Forces Postal Service to provide postal facilities for Canadian military units abroad, for Canadian naval ships on cruise and to personnel authorized to receive or mail Canadian Forces Mail. [bureau de poste des Forces canadiennes (BPFC)]

Canadian Forces Postal Service (CFPS)

Military postal service authorized to operate post offices and provide postal facilities for the Canadian Forces in Canada and abroad. [Service postal des Forces canadiennes (SPFC)]

cancellation

An impression used to mark a postage stamp to prevent its reuse. May be done by machine, hand stamp, or (when missed by initial processing), indelible pencil. A date, time and location is usually included in the cancelling die. [oblitération]

cancelling die

Device placed in a cancelling machine to cancel stamps and imprint the location, date and time. [cliché d’oblitération]

cancelling machine

A machine through which letters are fed to cancel stamps. It places a postmark, including location, time and date on letter-size mail. [machine à oblitérer; oblitérateur]

card for pick-up

The sender writes CARD FOR PICK-UP in the Attention box of the shipping label or applies a Card for Pick-Up sticker to the item to ensure that Canada Post does not deliver the item. Canada Post notifies the addressee that the item is to be picked up at the post office. [retenue pour ramassage]

card, coupon or single sheet item

A card, coupon or single unfolded sheet of paper not enclosed in envelopes. [carte, coupon et feuille simple]

cardox letter tray; Cardox

A container made of corrugated fibreboard and used primarily to hold Short and Long (S/L) mail, including postcards and cards. [corbeille à lettres Cardox]

care of (C/O)

Manner of addressing mail to authorize its delivery to a named representative of the addressee. [aux soins de (A/S)]

catalogue

Two or more sheets of paper bound together with glue or staples, etc., that prevent exposure during normal handling and that contain descriptions and order numbers for merchandise and/or services for sale. Catalogues may contain an insert, but must not contain a sample. [catalogue]

Note: See also the Publications Mail Customer Guide at canadapost.ca/pmsupportdocuments.

Certificate of Origin

Document for Customs purposes attesting to the manufacture of an article in a given area or place. [certificat d’origine]

certification

The process by which mailers demonstrate their ability to meet Canada Post’s technical specifications (such as machine readability), in order to qualify for Machineable prices. Certification will be maintained as long as periodical audits confirm that the mailer continues to meet the specifications. [confirmation de l’admissibilité; admissibilité]

CFC

See culler facer canceller. [machine à éliminer, redresser et oblitérer (MERO)]

CFPO

See Canadian Forces Post Office. [bureau de poste des Forces canadiennes (BPFC)]

CFPS

See Canadian Forces Postal Service. [Service postal des Forces canadiennes (SPFC)]

Change of Address Notification (COAN)

A form used by a person to notify Canada Post of a change of address. [Avis de changement d’adresse (ACA)]

Change of Address service

A service whereby mail items that cannot be delivered as originally addressed because the addressee has moved are redirected to the addressee’s new location if a Change of Address Notification has been filed by the addressee. These items are called Redirected Mail. [réexpédition du courrier]

Note: For Change of Address service out of Canada, only Letter-post items that are not dutiable will be redirected; all other items will be returned to the sender

charge

Payment of a fixed postal fee by each country within the limits laid down by the Acts of the Universal Postal Union. [taxe]

chemical reference substance

Material that is used to assess the chemical properties of a substance and that requires expeditious transmission by post. (substance chimique témoin)

city consolidation

It is the second level of consolidation as per the National Presortation Schematic. [centre de regroupement urbain]

city delivery

All operations connected with mail for local delivery from a postal facility to addresses within the delivery limits of that postal facility. [livraison urbaine]

city mail

Denoting that the mail described is addressed for distribution from the same postal facility or a branch thereof. [courrier urbain]

city primary

Sortation case used in the city section of a large postal facility to complete the first sort of city mail. The mail not made into straights at this sort subsequently goes to the city final cases. [tri primaire urbain]

civilian post office (CPO)

Installation established by Canada Post to serve a military community, a (base) civilian community or a combination of both. [bureau de poste civil (BPC)]

clearance

Collection of mail from the inside and outside mail receivers located in a post office or from street mailboxes. [levée]

clear-wrapped

See the Publications Mail Customer Guide at canadapost.ca/pmsupportdocuments. [emballé dans un matériel transparent]

close and dispatch

See closing mail. [fermeture et expédition]

closing mail

Sealing or closing bags at a given time before a specific dispatch. [fermeture du courrier]

CMB

See community mailbox. [boîte postale communautaire (BPCOM)]

CMS

Corporate Manual System. [Système du manuel de la Société (SMS)]

COAN

See Change of Address Notification. [Avis de changement d’adresse (ACA)]

coded mail

Mail that includes in the address a valid postal code designation, correctly positioned and machine-readable. [courrier codé]

coding desk

To apply the postal code to a new area of a community or to apply machine readable coloured bars to an item of mail that represent the postal code. [pupitre de codage]

COD

See Collect On Delivery. [Contre remboursement (CR)]

Collect On Delivery (COD)

A service whereby Canada Post:

•	transmits an item of mail to an addressee

•	collects an amount of money for the item from the addressee

•	delivers the item and

•	sends the amount of money collected from the addressee to the sender.

[contre remboursement (CR)]

collection box

See street mailbox. [boîte aux lettres publique]

co-mailing

See the Publications Mail Customer Guide at canadapost.ca/pmsupportdocuments. [envoi collectif]

commemorative stamp

A stamp that is issued to commemorate an event or to honour a person, normally printed in limited quantities and sold within a specific period of time. [timbre-poste commémoratif]

commercial invoice

Internationally recognized form used to declare goods for Customs Clearance. It is mandatory for Commercial Customs Clearance. [facture commerciale]

commercial pick-up service

A scheduled service offered through a contract to commercial customers whereby Canada Post picks up a minimum quantity of parcels and certain other mail, if applicable, at a designated place. [service de ramassage des colis commerciaux]

commingling

A process by which separate mailings are prepared for mail processing in such a way that they are intermingled together to create a single sequenced mailing. Commingling is generally associated with Lettermail and Admail, and is not permitted. [amalgamation]

commitment

An identified time period for the processing of mail. Each process stream has a specified processing commitment. See corporate operating commitment. [engagement]

community mail centre

A centralized, unmanned mail collection and delivery facility that may provide a range of customer-operated facilities such as stamp vending machines, bill changers, scales and parcel compartments. [centre postal communautaire]

Note: This can also be called “kiosk”.

community mailbox (CMB)

A large, firmly anchored steel box (module) comprising 8 to 15 individual compartments, each serving one street address for mail delivery. [boîte postale communautaire (BPCOM)]

community mailbox service; CMB mailbox service

The delivery of mail to a large steel box. Each locked compartment serves one street address. Each unit also provides a larger compartment for parcel delivery as well as a mailbox for outgoing letters. [service de boîtes postales communautaires]

community newspaper

In order to be considered a community newspaper, the item must:

•	meet the Unaddressed Admail weight and size specifications;

•	contain a maximum ratio of 70% advertising, including all inserts, to 30% news/editorial/community notices content;

•	be published at least monthly but not more frequently than three times per week;

•	serve the community in which it is published, via its news and editorial content. This news and editorial content must be relevant to any other community to which the paper is distributed as a community newspaper;

•	not simply be a newsletter that is intended for a special interest group and that consists of a printed sheet or pamphlet containing news or information.

Note: If the content requirement is not met, it may qualify as an Unaddressed Admail item, but will not be exempt from the Consumers’ Choice program.

[journal communautaire]

complete mailing

All identical items that are posted by the mailer at one time in one day at one location unless otherwise agreed upon in writing by Canada Post and the mailer. [dépôt complet]

consignee

The receiver or addressee of a mail item. [destinataire]

consignment

The total number of items or shipments tendered to Canada Post at any one given time on a given date by a customer. [dépôt]

consolidation

See levels of consolidation. [regroupement]

Consumers’ Choice Program

A program introduced by Canada Post on July 2, 1997, to respect consumers’ wishes not to receive unaddressed material. There are five exemptions under the Program:

•	House of Commons mailings

•	Elections Canada mailings

•	Provincial Chief Electoral Officers’ mailings

•	Municipal electoral mailings

•	Community newspapers.

[Programme Choix des consommateurs]

container

Include the following:

•	A-3 mailbag – a large bag used for enclosing the mail

•	A-6 mailbag – a small bag used for enclosing the mail

•	Cardox – a container made of corrugated fibreboard and used primarily to hold Short and Long (S/L) mail, including postcards and cards

•	Flats Tub – a container for the conveyance of Oversize (O/S) mail

•	Lettertainer – a container for the conveyance of Short and Long (S/L) mail

•	Monotainer – a metal cage for the conveyance of all mail

•	Pallet – a wooden/plastic/aluminum platform for the conveyance of containers and/or brick-piled mail items.

[conteneur]

container label

A piece of thin cardboard containing pre-printed or hand-written information to be inserted in the label holder attached to a container. The label details the contents and the container’s destination. [étiquette de conteneur]

container service

See bag service. [service de conteneurs]

contract customer

A customer who has signed a written agreement or contract with Canada Post concerning mail preparation and delivery, service standards and applicable rates for a specific service. The customer must complete the required forms (i.e., Agreement Set-up Form, Credit Application and Customer Account Information), have them approved and provide an Authorized User listing as well as any other relevant information. [client commercial titulaire d’une convention]

contractor

See mail contractor. [entrepreneur]

co-operative mailing

Two or more items/advertisements from different advertisers, printed on a single sheet, card or coupon booklet, or mailed in a sealed bag, wrapper or envelope that prevents separation. [envoi collectif]

co-packaging

See the Publications Mail Customer Guide at canadapost.ca/pmsupportdocuments. [conditionnement commun]

corporate operating commitment

For any given unit of mail it is the last acceptable day for delivery of that mail. These operating commitments are based on the date of receipt, type of mail, origin, destination and agreement. [engagement de service de Postes Canada]

counter

Suitable length of counter top, with or without a screenline, located in a postal facility at which postal transactions with the public are completed. [comptoir]

coverage for loss or damage

A service provided by Canada Post that compensates for loss, rifling or damage to mailable matter. [couverture pour perte ou dommages]

cover

See wrapper. [emballage]

CPC

See Canada Post Corporation (CPC). [Société canadienne des postes (SCP)]

CPO

See civilian post office. [bureau de poste civil (BPC)]

crown key

Key supplied to a letter carrier or mail service courier by the post office to open relay boxes, mailboxes, apartment panels. Such keys belong to Canada Post. [clé « crown »]

crown lock

Lock issued by the post office for various corporate purposes. [serrure « crown »]

cubic weight; cubed weight

See volumetric weight. [poids cubique]

culler facer canceller (CFC)

An automated machine that faces mail into the correct position for date stamping and stamp cancelling. A special substance in the stamp activates it. [machine à éliminer, redresser et oblitérer (MERO)]

culling

To pick out of a stream or batch of items of mail. Generally applies to those items pulled out for separate handling. For example, items are culled from a face-up table because they cannot be machine cancelled. [tri éliminatoire]

curbside mailing receptacle

Mail receptacle that permits motorists to deposit mail without the need to leave their vehicles. It may be in the form of a specially designed receptacle placed in or near the wall of a post office building or it may be a street mailbox positioned at the curb with the mailing slot facing the street. [boîte aux lettres pour automobilistes]

customer number

A seven-digit number assigned to each customer who signs a service agreement. [numéro du client; numéro de compte]

Customer Relationship Support

A service provided by Canada Post consisting of direct communications with the public on such matters as claims, enquiries and complaints, as well as postal code promotion and other public relations activities. [réseau des relations avec la clientèle]

Customer Service

See Customer Relationship Support. [service à la clientèle]

customs clearance

Authorizing release of an article of mail to the addressee by Customs. [dédouanement]

Customs Declaration

A form affixed to U.S.A. and international mail to simplify Customs clearance in the country of destination. [Déclaration en douane]

customs duty

Amount of tax or tariff applied to an item imported from another country. [droit de douane]

customs examination

Process of inspecting an item of mail by Customs officers to determine whether or not duty is applicable. [contrôle douanier]

customs label

CN22 label required on all international items, other than Parcel Post, subject to Customs control. [étiquette de douanes]

customs primary screening centre

An area at exchange offices (generally at the port of entry) where an initial segregation is made between non-dutiable and potentially dutiable items before dispatch to destination or diversion to Customs. [centre de tri préliminaire douanier]

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DAI

See delivery address information. [renseignements relatifs à l’adresse de livraison (RAL)]

damaged mail

Mail that has been damaged between the time it was mailed at a postal facility in Canada and delivered in Canada or to another postal administration; after its receipt in Canada from other countries; due to improper delivery; or due to abnormal handling. [courrier avarié]

date stamp

The metal or rubber stamp used on mail or on forms to indicate the date and/or to cancel the postage stamp. [timbre à date]

datestamp; to date stamp

The act of dating items or dating and cancelling stamps on mail. [apposer le timbre à date; frapper du timbre à date]

DCF

See distribution centre facility. [centre de desserte postale (CDP)]

default weight

If the weight of a shipment is not on the appropriate shipping document, Canada Post will apply a standard “default weight” per piece and charge accordingly. [poids par défaut]

delivery address information (DAI)

A mailer-specific sortation option that is used rather than the Local Delivery Unit (LDU) option. DAI sequences the mail items by street name, street type, street direction, civic number and suite number. [Renseignements relatifs à l’adresse de livraison (RAL)]

delivery area

Area to which mail delivery service is provided from any postal facility or service such as an individual letter carrier, rural route or postal route. [secteur de livraison]

delivery confirmation

Upon delivery or attempted delivery, the item number and date is captured. This information is then available to the sender by calling an Automated Response System or via the Internet. [confirmation de livraison]

delivery facility (DF)

The facility from which the mode of delivery emanates (e.g. location of postal box, origination of the rural route or letter carrier route) and can include Urban postal stations, letter carrier depots and Rural postal facilities. This is the first level of consolidation as per the National Presortation Schematic. [installation de livraison (IL)]

delivery mode audit code

The part of the delivery mode code which identifies the version of the Delivery Mode Data Product used. This code changes monthly. [caractère de vérification du mode de livraison]

delivery mode code (DMC)

Consists of the delivery mode audit code and the delivery mode code details. [code de mode de livraison (CML)]

delivery mode code details

Represents a combination of numerical and/or alphabetical characters representing a particular mail delivery service in an urban area (e.g. H 10). [numéro de mode de livraison]

delivery mode data technical specifications

Provide information that contains postal codes and their related modes of delivery (e.g. a letter carrier walk). [exigences techniques relatives aux données sur le mode de livraison]

delivery mode identifier

The Delivery Mode Identifier is numerical and represents the routing information such as a letter carrier route number (e.g. 12). [identificateur de mode de livraison]

delivery mode type

An alphabetical character which identifies the mode of delivery:

•	A = delivery to block face address

•	B = delivery to an apartment building

•	E = delivery to a business building

•	G = delivery to a large volume receiver

•	H = delivery via a rural route

•	J = general delivery

•	K = delivery to a PO Box (not a community mailbox)

•	M = delivery to a large volume receiver (PO Box)

•	T = delivery via a suburban service

•	X = delivery via a mobile route

•	Z = postal code is retired (no further delivery to this code).

[type de mode de livraison]

delivery mode

A delivery mode refers to the methods of delivery. Examples of delivery modes are:

•	letter carrier route (LC)

•	call for (CF)

•	direct (DIR)

•	general delivery (GD)

•	rural route (RR)

•	postal box (PO BOX)

•	suburban services (SS)

•	motorized route (MR).

[mode de livraison]

delivery notice card

Notice left when delivery was attempted but no one was present to receive the item. (carte Avis de livraison]

destination facility

A facility to which mail is destined. The National Presortation Schematic outlines all level 1, 2, 3 and 4 destination facilities to which mail is consolidated. [installation de destination]

See delivery facility. [IL]

die

See cancelling die [cliché]

Dimensional Addressed Admail

Under the Letter Carrier Presort (LCP) option, Dimensional Addressed Admail offers all the benefits of Addressed Admail, with thicker dimensions and three different sizes to choose from. Dimensional Addressed Admail also provides more flexibility and creativity for customers when designing their Direct Mail campaigns to include such things as samples, videos and larger high-impact pieces. [Médiaposte avec adresse extradimensionnelle]

direct (level 1)

As in “direct to the delivery facility,” the first level of consolidation in the National Presortation Schematic is the preferred order of mail preparation. Directs are containers and bags of mail headed for processing at one rural or urban post office, or one postal station or depot. [envoi direct niveau 1]

direct bag

(1)

Bag containing mail destined for one post office, also referred to as a straight.

(2)

In international mail, a direct bag is a bag containing printed matter for the same addressee. [sac direct]

direct container

A container consisting of bundles of items for the same rural or urban post office, or one postal station or depot. [conteneur direct]

direct delivery

A bundle or bag of mail delivered by vehicle direct to a customer who receives mail in volume on a regular basis. [livraison directe]

direct

Bundle, bag, etc., containing mail destined for processing at one post office, or one postal station or depot. These offices are the first level of consolidation. See levels of consolidation. [envoi direct]

directory

See the Publications Mail Customer Guide at canadapost.ca/pmsupportdocuments. [répertoire]

dis bag

Contains mail to be re-sorted and dispatched to dependent offices. [sac « dis »]

dis mail

Mail from other post offices that requires sorting in the receiving office and is then distributed either from it or from adjacent post offices. [dépêche « dis »]

dis

(1)

Abbreviation for district: The area surrounding a postal facility that the facility serves.

(2)	The designation on mixed bundles or bags sent to a distributing office for re-sorting into straights. [dis]
dispatch note International term referring to a form prepared by the mailer, documenting the contents of a mail item; may be accompanied by the relative invoice or statement of value in order to facilitate Customs clearance in the country of destination. [Bulletin d’expédition]
dispatcher A person who routes mail and prepares loading plans for vehicles used in the transmission of the mail. [répartiteur]
dispatch The entire shipment, prepared by Canada Post, for forwarding to another location or service. [expédition]
distribution centre facility (DCF) A major postal facility where mail is received, sorted, handled and sent to, or received from, a group of dependent postal facilities. This is the third level of consolidation as per the National Presortation Schematic. [centre de desserte postale (CDP)]
distribution The sorting system established to move mail from point of mailing to the office of delivery with the least possible intermediate handling. See routing. [acheminement]
DMC See delivery mode code. [CML]
Do Not Forward A service option whereby Lettermail that cannot be delivered as addressed because the addressee has moved, shall be returned to the sender and not forwarded to the addressee, even if the addressee has filed a Change of Address Notice with Canada Post. [Ne pas faire suivre]
document Business or personal correspondence item having no defined commercial value. [document]
domestic mail Mail originating in Canada addressed to points in Canada. [courrier du régime intérieur]
double issue See the Publications Mail Customer Guide at canadapost.ca/pmsupportdocuments. [numéro double]
double Two or more letters received stuck together and requiring separation. [double]
draw Clearing a case of the mail for a particular service or dispatch or clearing the mail receptacles in a postal facility. [vidage]
duty Money (charge, tax, etc.) requested by the jurisdiction of a country for fiscal purpose. See customs duty. [droit]

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edgemarking Ink or paint (the colour of which must significantly contrast with the colour of the envelope) applied to the top edge of an envelope to indicate a break between groupings and/or delivery facilities of presorted mail. [marquage à jet d’encre]
Electronic Shipping Tools (EST) The software system made available under license by Canada Post or a third party shipping system approved by Canada Post, which allows for automated preparation of shipping documentation including labels and contains other features to facilitate shipping with Canada Post, and which is further described on the canadapost.ca website. [Outils électroniques d’expédition (OEE)]
e-link An automated process enabling customers to establish pricing of products and services, as well as prepare Canada Post shipping labels and electronic or manual Manifests. E-link is available with Electronic Shipping Tools software, Third-Party Shipping System Software and customer developed shipping systems. [CyberLien]
enclosure To include along with something else in a parcel, periodical or envelope. [pièce jointe] Note: See the Publications Mail Customer Guide at canadapost.ca/pmsupportdocuments.
encoding suite See group desk suite. [batterie de pupitres de codage]
endorsement Notation on an item of mail; for example, the reason for non-delivery or card sent. [mention sur le courrier]
enquiry Process of tracing the handling of an item of mail with the intention of identifying the cause of delay, loss or other service problem. [enquête]
exclusive privilege Pursuant to sections 14 and 15 of the Canada Post Corporation Act, Canada Post has the sole and exclusive privilege in Canada of collecting, transmitting and delivering letters to the addressee. This exclusive privilege extends to letters weighing up to 500 g mailed in Canada for delivery within Canada or outside Canada, or mailed outside Canada for delivery within Canada. [privilège exclusif]
exhibit Cover or wrapping of an item, a document, facing slip, bag label or any other material thing used as evidence in connection with an irregularity in the mail. [pièce à conviction]
Expedited Parcel A domestic parcel service for contract customers. Items must bear an Expedited Parcel bar-coded label. [Colis accélérés]
Expedited Parcel-USA A ground parcel service to the U.S.A. available to all customers. Expedited Parcel-USA provides Delivery Confirmation and must bear an Expedited Parcel-USA bar-coded label. [Colis accélérés É.-U.]
export control list A list of goods established under the Export and Import Permits Act to control the export of certain goods. [liste des marchandises d’exportation contrôlée]
export permit All goods listed in the Export Control List (ECL) or goods destined for Area Control List countries, whether listed on the Export Control List or not, require individual export permits. [licence d’exportation]
extra edition/issue; special edition/issue See the Publications Mail Customer Guide at canadapost.ca/pmsupportdocuments. [numéro spécial/supplémentaire; édition spéciale/supplémentaire]
extraction bars (Business Reply Mail) The three vertical bars printed on Business Reply Mail that allow mechanized mail processing equipment to identify and segregate such mail. [barres d’extraction Correspondance-réponse d’affaires]

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“F” Bag

Bag containing a letter bill or parcel bill in a dispatch to or receipt from a foreign country; the label is marked with an “F” for “feuille d’avis” in French. [sac portant la lettre « F »]

F/T

See flats tubs [conteneur à grands objets plats (CGOP)]

face up

To arrange the mail so that the postal indicia or stamp and the addresses are right side up and face in the same direction. [redresser]

facer canceller

Machine for automatically facing and cancelling stamped letter-size mail. [machine à redresser et à oblitérer]

facility

See postal facility. [installation]

facing slip

A small slip of paper, pre-printed or hand-written, attached to the top of a mixed bundle to show the destination of the bundle. Also known as a bundle label. [étiquette de liasse]

FCP

See forward consolidation point. [centre de regroupement du courrier d’acheminement (CRCA)]

feature

Service enhancement which is provided automatically to the customer as part of the basic service. [caractéristique]

feuille d’avis

Letter bill (C-12) used for international mail. [feuille d’avis]

final sortation

(1)

Forward section: Sortation to post offices or distributing centres in one or more provinces, states or countries after the larger and more frequently dispatched separations have been removed at the primary or first sort.

(2)	City section: Sortation to letter carrier routes at the postal station final cases. [tri final]
flat An item in an envelope, wrapping or outer cover larger than a letter-size item. [grand objet plat (GOP)]
flats sorting machine (FSM) A machine that sorts mail flats by reading addresses and/or the bar codes printed on such mail, and encodes mail with the bar code as required. [machine à trier les grands objets plats (MTGOP)]
flats tub (F/T) A hardsided container used primarily to transport Oversize (O/S) mail. [conteneur à grands objets plats (CGOP)]
fleet mail office (FMO) A military post office operated by the Canadian Forces Postal Service to provide facilities for Her Majesty’s Canadian Ships (HMCS). [bureau de poste de la Flotte (BPF)]
fluorescent bar code See binary bar code. [code à barres fluorescentes]
flyer and newspaper One or more sheets of paper. If more than one sheet, they must be folded together bound or unbound. [feuillet publicitaire et journal] Note: A newspaper is further defined as a printed item with editorial content and feature articles, advertising, and that may contain inserts of other advertisers.
FMO See fleet mail office. [bureau de poste de la Flotte (BPF)]
food entry point A facility designated by Canada Post at which food shipments for a specific Air Stage Office must be tendered. [point d’entrée des aliments]
food of little nutritional value Term used for the Air Stage Freight Service. Food or beverages which have low nutritional content. Foods meeting this definition are ineligible for the Air Stage Freight (Funded) Service. [aliment à faible valeur nutritive]
food Food as defined in the Food and Drug Act. [aliment]
foreign mail See international mail. [courrier du régime international]
forward consolidation point (FCP) The fourth level of consolidation in the National Presortation Schematic. This level is only accessed for the make-up of monotainers/pallets. [centre de regroupement du courrier d’acheminement (CRCA)]
forward delivery The delivery of mail outside the postal delivery area of the place of mailing. [livraison du courrier d’acheminement)
forward mail (FWD) Mail going outside the postal delivery area served by the postal facility in which it was received for processing. [courrier d’acheminement
forward sortation area (FSA) The first three characters (alpha-numeric-alpha) of the postal code, which represent a geographic area. [région de tri d’acheminement (RTA)]
fragile article An item that by its nature or construction will not withstand normal transportation and handling, no matter how carefully it is packaged. [article fragile]
franchise Using the franchising concept, Canada Post provides to private retailers its products and services and access to its processing and delivery network. In return, private retailers offer to Canada Post their retailing expertise in an already existing host business and the capital investment needed to provide the service. [franchise]
franking privilege See Government Mail Free of Postage [privilège de franchise postale; envois transmis en franchise pour le gouvernement]
free of postage The marking of a piece of mail with the official signature, initials or sign indicating the right of the sender to free mailing privileges. [en franchise]
FSA See forward sortation area. [région de tri d’acheminement (RTA)]
FSM See flats sorting machine. [machine à trier les grands objets plats (MTGOP)]
full container (flats tub) All containers should be 100% full. However, a container is considered full when its content, compressed of its own weight, fills 90% of the container’s length when tipped on a 45-90 degree angle, or of the vertical height of the container when the contents are lying face up. [conteneur plein à grands objets plats]
full container (lettertainer) All containers should be 100% full. However, a container is considered full when its contents, standing vertically, compress of their own weight to fill 90% of the container’s length when the container is tipped on its short end at 45-90 degrees. [conteneur plein à lettres]

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gauging

See grading. [séparation]

GDS

See group desk suite. [batterie de pupitres de codage (BPDC)]

general delivery

A service provided at post offices for delivery of mail to those not renting postal office boxes, the travelling public, customers with no fixed address within the letter carrier delivery area and anyone who cannot receive mail through the normal delivery modes. [poste restante]

general post office

In the larger urban centres, refers to the main post office as opposed to a postal station or retail postal outlet. [bureau de poste principal]

GMB

See group mailbox. [boîte postale multiple (BPM)]

Government mail free of postage; franking privilege

Government mail free of postage allows for mail (with the exception of Parcel Services, options and special services) to be sent to and from the following individuals free of postage provided that both the sender and receiver are in Canada:

•	the Governor General

•	the Speaker or Clerk of the Senate or House of Commons

•	the Parliamentary Librarian or the Associate Parliamentary Librarian

•	Members of the Senate

•	Members of the House of Commons

•	the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner or Senate Ethics Officer.

[envois transmis en franchise pour le gouvernement; privilège de franchise postale]

grading

Separation of letters in an automated system according to envelope length. [séparation]

green label

See customs label. [étiquette verte]

gross weight

Weight of an item together with the weight of its container and the materials used for packaging. [poids brut]

group desk suite (GDS)

Group of desks where operators manually convert the postal code on letters to a bar code that the letter sorting machine can read. This machine also does a basic sort preparing letters for the sorting machine according to machine plan. [batterie de pupitres de codage (BPDC)]

group mailbox (GMB)

A large green steel box comprising 10 individual compartments that can be separately locked, each serving one street address for mail delivery. [boîte postale multiple (BPM)]

group shipment or COD group shipment

More than two Collect on Delivery items mailed at the same time to the same address, under one COD fee. Each COD item must bear a COD label. [envoi multiple ou envoi CR en nombre]

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hand cancel or stamp The act of cancelling postage by use of a hand stamp. [oblitération manuelle]
handbook or manual See the Publications Mail Customer Guide at canadapost.ca/pmsupportdocuments. [aide-mémoire ou manuel d’utilisateur]
hardcopy delivery A service that provides printing, production and delivery of Addressed Admail or Lettermail items utilizing a customer’s electronic database. [Distribution papier]
Hardcopy Delivery Technical Guide A Canada Post publication that sets out technical specifications for Hardcopy Delivery. [Guide technique de la distribution papier]
harmonized system code A numeric code used to classify goods for customs duty purposes. [code de système harmonisé]
headers City, town or route names attached over sorting separations on cases. May be inserted into a special type of holder or fastened to the upper divider of the separation. [plaques indicatrices]
highway service (HS) Contracted surface transportation services operating between two or more communities using motor vehicles. [service routier (SR)]
hold mail Mail held for a specific period upon instructions in writing from the addressee on payment of a service charge. [retenue du courrier]
host publication See the Publications Mail Customer Guide at canadapost.ca/pmsupportdocuments. [publication principale]
householder A person who occupies a house or apartment alone, as head of a household, or family. [chef de ménage]
householder count Delivery counts supplied by Canada Post for all urban and rural delivery modes such as letter carrier routes, non-letter carrier routes and postal boxes, etc. [nombre de chefs de ménage]
householder mail Mail addressed simply “Householder”, “Boxholder”, “Occupant” and “Resident” or with no address. Delivery is made to every household. [article sans adresse]
HS code See harmonized system code. [code de système harmonisé]
HS See highway service. [service routier (SR)]

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identical items (Addressed Admail)

Items of Addressed Admail that are the same in physical design and characteristics except that their thickness, weight and the colour of their exterior covers may vary. The return address may vary, provided that either the return address or the name/logo of the customer in the return address is constant. The dimensions and shape of the mail piece must also be identical. [articles identiques Médiaposte avec adresse]

identical items (Incentive Lettermail)

Each mail item in an Incentive Lettermail mailing must be identical in design and physical characteristics except that the weight, thickness and colour of exterior covers may vary. The address and window locations must be the same on all mail items. The return address may vary provided that either the address or the name or logo of the company to which items are to be returned is constant. [articles identiques Poste-lettres à tarifs préférentiels]

identifying information

See the Publications Mail Customer Guide at canadapost.ca/pmsupportdocuments. [renseignements d’identification]

illegal mail

Mail that contravenes those sections of the criminal code affecting the use of the mail. See Prohibited Mail. [courrier prohibé]

import restrictions

Regulations that prohibit the importation of certain items or commodities into a country. [restrictions à l’importation]

imprint (to)

To place a postage impression on an item of mail. [empreindre]

imprint

The name of the printer or issuing authority inscribed or printed on the sheet margin of the stamp panes, or on the stamps themselves. In some cases the name of the designer and/or engraver are included. [indication de l’imprimeur]

inbound

See incoming mail. [courrier d’arrivée]

Incentive Lettermail

A category of Lettermail that consists of identical items of Standard Short and Long (S/L) and Oversize (O/S) domestic mail as defined by Canada Post, which is deposited in large quantities and qualifies for a discounted price. [Poste-lettres à tarifs préférentiels]

Incentive pricing; Incentive rate

A special price available under a sales agreement to commercial customers whose mailings meet certain requirements established by Canada Post. These requirements include but are not limited to: volume, mail preparation and presortation, address accuracy, machineability, etc. [tarif préférentiel]

incoming mail

All mail coming into a postal facility. [courrier d’arrivée]

incomplete address

See address incomplete. [adresse incomplète]

indemnity

Compensation given to customers for items that are lost, rifled or damaged while in course of post. [indemnité]

indexing

The operation of translating a postal code to a bar code and placing it on the lower right corner of the envelope. [indexation]

insert

A paper or card securely bound to a catalogue, newspaper or magazine but which does not include a sample. [encart]

Note: See also the Publications Mail Customer Guide at canadapost.ca/pmsupportdocuments.

insurance

See coverage for loss or damage. [couverture pour perte ou dommages]

interchange

Exchange of mail between Letter Processing Plants (LPPs). [échange]

interliner

A commercial customer whose primary business is to operate a transportation, courier or package distribution service in Canada, and who presents packages to Canada Post on behalf of other customers. [intertransporteur]

international agreements

The exchange of letters mailed internationally is governed by the provisions of the Convention of the Universal Postal Union of which Canada is a member. The mailing of parcels is regulated by the Postal Parcels Agreement of the Universal Postal Union. [accords internationaux]

International Bureau of the Universal Postal Union

Office of the Universal Postal Union that deals with member postal administrations. [Bureau international de l’Union postale universelle]

International List of Post Offices

A Universal Postal Union publication listing all the post offices in the world and including a general information table. [Nomenclature internationale des bureaux de poste]

international mail

Mail posted to or received from other countries. [courrier du régime international]

International Parcels

Consist of packages of goods, merchandise or other articles that are mailed in Canada for transmission and delivery to other countries except the United States, its territories and possessions. [colis du régime international]

International Reply Coupon

Coupon purchased in Canada or other member country of the Universal Postal Union that may be exchanged in any member country of the Universal Postal Union for the minimum postage payable on an international unregistered letter. [coupon-réponse international]

invoice declaration

A five-part form that lists shipment information for Customs clearance of international mail items in the destination country. All boxes must be completed in English or French. When the form is completed in French, an English translation must be included. [Déclaration relative à la facture]

irregularity

Anything about the mailing, treatment, dispatch or delivery of an article of mail inconsistent with postal laws and regulations. [irrégularité]

item of mail; mail item; item

(1)

A single item or mail piece prepared and mailed using one of the products and services in accordance with the General Terms and Conditions.

(2)

See the Publications Mail Customer Guide at canadapost.ca/pmsupportdocuments. [article de courrier]

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keeper tag See bag label. [étiquette de sac]
keeper Label holder of a mail bag. [porte-étiquette]
key (hotel, motel or automobile) Key mailed unwrapped and bearing an indication of the addressee to whom it is to be forwarded for collection of postage. [clés d’hôtel, de motel ou d’automobile]
Key Service A service that is applicable to items that consist of keys or plastic door access cards for hotels and motels, and motor vehicle keys, bearing the address of the addressee. Under the Key Service, keys or plastic door access cards may be mailed without cover or postage. Postage is payable by the addressee before delivery. [service des clés et des cartes-clés]
kiosk See community mail centre. [kiosque]

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L/C

(letters and cards) a classification used for international mail. [L/C Lettres/cartes]

L/T

See lettertainer. [conteneur à lettres]

label holder

Narrow receptacle, placed above sorting case separations or on a mail bag, and used to secure a label. [porte-étiquette]

labelling

Printing relevant data on a label or facing slip or inserting labels into the label holders of mail bags or containers prior to dispatch. [étiquetage]

label

Narrow strip of heavy paper or cardboard placed in the holder provided on a mail bag or bag rack to indicate the destination, type of mail contained and routing instructions. [étiquette]

large volume mailer (LVM)

A mailer who regularly deposits an average of 100 or more pieces of mail per business day. [gros expéditeur de courrier (GEC)]

large volume receiver (LVR)

Customer that receives an average of more than 50 pieces of letter-type mail each business day. [gros destinataire de courrier (GDC)]

LCD

See letter carrier depot. [poste de facteurs]

LCP

See letter carrier presort. [tri préliminaire par itinéraire de facteur (TPIF)]

LCR

See letter carrier route. [itinéraire de facteur]

See letter carrier. [facteur]

LDU

See local delivery unit. [unité de distribution locale (UDL)]

length

Facing the address side of a mail item, it is the largest dimension. [longueur]

letter

“One or more messages or information in any form, the total mass of which, if any, does not exceed 500 g, whether or not enclosed in an envelope, that is intended for collection or transmission or delivery to any addressee as one item” (Canada Post Corporation Act). [lettre]

letter bill

See feuille d’avis. [feuille d’avis]

letter box

See street mailbox. [boîte aux lettres publique]

letter carrier (LC)

An employee of Canada Post who sorts and delivers mail to an allocated route. [facteur]

letter carrier delivery route

See letter carrier route. [itinéraire de facteur]

letter carrier depot (LCD)

Postal facility operated as a terminal for letter carriers. A call-for service and in some cases business transactions such as meter setting and postage paid in cash may be provided. [poste de facteurs]

letter carrier office

A postal facility which operates as a letter carrier terminal. [bureau avec service de facteur]

letter carrier presort (LCP)

A mail presortation option requiring the delivery mode code for Addressed Admail including Dimensional Addressed Admail and Publications Mail. [Tri préliminaire par itinéraire de facteur (TPIF)]

letter carrier route (LCR)

The area served by a letter carrier. The letter carrier route measurement program determines size. Types of routes are as follows:

•

business

•	residential business

•	residential combination: a mixture of single dwellings and apartment-type residential points of call

•	residential high rise: where 70% or more points of call are located in buildings containing 30 or more suites

•	residential single dwelling: the points of call are primarily single dwellings and where no more than 30% of the calls are located in buildings having 30 or more suites.

[itinéraire de facteur]

letter carrier service

Where mail is delivered door to door by an employee of Canada Post. [service de livraison par facteur]

letter carrier walk

See letter carrier route. [itinéraire de facteur]

letter processing plant (LPP)

A facility designed primarily for processing Lettermail only. [établissement de traitement des lettres (ETL)]

letter sorting machine (LSM)

A machine that sorts mail by reading fluorescent bar codes printed on such mail. [machine à trier les lettres (MTL)]

Lettermail

See letter. [Poste-lettres]

Letter-post

An international or U.S.A. service which includes the following:

•

letter

•

postcard

•	Literature for the Blind.

[Poste aux lettres]

lettertainer (L/T)

A hardsided container used primarily to transport Short and Long (S/L) mail. [conteneur à lettres]

levels of consolidation

The preferred order for mail preparation as determined by the quantity available as per the National Presortation Schematic.

•	Level 1: delivery facility

•	Level 2: city consolidation

•	Level 3: distributing centre facility

•	Level 4: forward consolidation point.

[niveaux de regroupement]

Library Books

Books containing no advertising, mailed on loan between libraries and patrons of libraries at a special price. [livres de bibliothèque]

Literature for the Blind service

This is a special no charge service available only to blind persons and recognized institutions for the blind. Only these items can be sent:

•	books, periodicals, papers and unsealed letters impressed in braille or similar raised type

•	plates for printing literature for the blind

•	tapes and records sent by the blind

•	tapes, records and special writing paper intended solely for the use of the blind when mailed by, or addressed to, a recognized institution for the blind.

[cécogramme]

local delivery area

See delivery area. [secteur local de livraison]

local delivery unit (LDU)

The last three characters (numeric alpha numeric) of the postal code which represent a specific point or set of points of call located within the forward sortation area. [unité de distribution locale UDL]

local delivery

The delivery of mail within the postal delivery area of the place of mailing. [livraison locale]

lock box

Usually set in post office walls in groups. Mail is sorted by individual box number from the employee working area. The customer removes it after unlocking the door on the public side with the key supplied when the box is rented. [case postale]

LPP

See letter processing plant. [établissement de traitement des lettres (ETL)]

LSM

See letter sorting machine. [machine à trier les lettres (MTL)]

luminescence

The effect produced from brilliant printing inks that may cause eyestrain can be a contentious issue in the design of envelopes or wrappers. [luminescence]

LVM

See large volume mailer. [gros expéditeur de courrier (GEC)]

LVR

See large volume receiver. [gros destinataire de courrier (GDC)]

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machine plans A term referring to the arrangement of inputs and outputs for sorting equipment when this arrangement can be varied to produce different splits in the mail stream. [programme de tri; plan-machine]
machine readability A term describing how Canada Post’s mechanized equipment translates the physical presence of an address as it is represented on a mail piece into the various components needed to successfully process the mail items through mechanized equipment. Machine readability ensures that mail can be handled by Canada Post’s mechanized processing equipment at a reliability level (read rate). [lisibilité par la machine]
machineable mail option A mail preparation option for Addressed Admail. [option Courrier mécanisable]
machineable mail Mail which meets the size and physical characteristics outlined in the Canadian Postal Standards, that can be handled during processing by mechanical equipment. [courrier mécanisable]
magazine More than one sheet of paper, bound together with glue or staples, etc. that prevent exposure during normal handling and contain all of the following: a table of contents, editorial and feature articles, and advertising. May contain an insert but must not contain samples. [magazine] Note: Items that do not meet the content requirements of brochures or items that are bound and do not meet the content requirements of magazines or catalogues are acceptable as flyers. They must meet the size and weight specifications of a flyer.
mail bag; postal bag A sack with a closing device at the open end, which is used for enclosing and transporting mail. [sac postal; sac]
mail bag depository See bag depository. [dépôt de sacs]
mail contractor A person who has entered into a contract with Canada Post for the transmission of mail. [entrepreneur postal]
mail conveyance Any physical, electronic, optical or other means used to transmit mail. [moyen de transport du courrier]
mail dispatcher See dispatcher. [répartiteur]
mail dispatching facility Receptacle or mailroom designed for the receipt and temporary storage of mail that is to be collected by a post office representative and sent by post. [installation pour le dépôt du courrier]
mail handling Process by which an item of mail is actually handled. Example: face up, cancelling, primary sort, final sort, tie, sort bundles to bag and dispatch. [manutention du courrier]
mail make-up See Mail Preparation. [préparation du courrier]
mail order Order for goods to be delivered by mail. [commande postale]
mail preparation The process of bundling, facing and containerizing the mail and labelling the containers, to ensure that it is acceptable for processing according to mail type and that it can be handled with ease. [préparation du courrier]
mail preparation option An option that offers customers a discount, based on how the mail is prepared. [option de préparation du courrier]
mail presortation The process of sequencing, grouping and containerizing the mail items and labelling the containers, to allow Canada Post to bypass various processing steps and facilities within its mail distribution network. [tri préliminaire du courrier]
mail presortation option An option that offers customers a discount, based on how the mail is prepared. [option de tri préliminaire du courrier]
mail processing plant (MPP) A postal facility established for the processing of mail. [établissement de traitement du courrier (ETC)]
mail receiver Chute, mailbox or any other receptacle in which mail is posted. [boîte aux lettres]
mail receptacle See mail receiver. [boîte aux lettres]
mail room Enclosure in which mail intended for dispatch is stored and at which incoming mail is received. [salle de courrier]
mail standards Requirements that a mail piece must meet to qualify as a “standard item.” The desired requirements cover such things as size, weight, thickness/height, flexibility, location and method of writing address, and so forth. [normes postales]
mailable matter Any message, information, funds or goods that may be transmitted by post. [objet transmissible; objet]
mailbox See mail receiver. [boîte aux lettres]
mailbox assembly Privately owned group of mailboxes in an apartment building or office complex designed for the reception of the mail of all occupants of the building or complex and so constructed that each owner or tenant has an individual compartment that is capable of being kept locked. [batterie de boîtes aux lettres]
mailing abroad Mail will be charged the Canadian postage prices if the mailing comprises large quantities of items or if it is posted outside Canada by or on behalf of a Canadian mailer for delivery in Canada in order to profit from lower prices. [courrier déposé à l’étranger]
mailing address An address that specifies where mail is to be delivered and that includes information assigned by the municipality and building owners, as well as the assigned postal code and other related address information assigned by Canada Post, as required. [adresse postale] Note: This type of address can be different from the physical or street address.
mailing list A list of delivery addresses provided by a customer. [liste d’adresses]
main post office See general post office. [bureau de poste principal]
major postal plant Large plant to process mail for a precisely defined delivery area. [grand établissement postal (GEP)]
manifest A document used to record information for the mailing of more than three items. This document is used by services, such as Priority™ Next A.M., Xpresspost, Regular Parcel, Expedited Parcel, etc. [manifeste]
manual See handbook or manual. [aide-mémoire ou manuel d’utilisateur]
masthead See the Publications Mail Customer Guide at canadapost.ca/pmsupportdocuments. [cartouche de titre]
medicine A drug as defined in the Food and Drug Act. [médicament]
meter impression An approved impression placed on a mail item, reproduced by a printing die, which indicates that postage has been paid, the amount of the postage paid, the date and the meter number. [empreinte d’affranchissement]
meter setting Act of re-setting the descending register in a postage meter to reflect the receipt of additional money from a postage meter user. [réglage des machines à affranchir]
meter tape Gummed roll of paper tape used in meter machines on which the postage required for a bulky item is printed. The tape is then affixed to the article in the same manner as a postage stamp. [ruban de machine à affranchir]
metered mail Mail on which the required postage is paid and indicated by a meter impression. [courrier affranchi à la machine]
military post office (MPO) See Canadian Forces Post Office [bureau de poste militaire (BPM)]
minimum density requirement See volumetric weight. [poids volumétrique]
minister responsible Such member of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada as is designated by the Governor in Council to act as the Minister for the purposes of the Canada Post Corporation Act. [Ministre responsable]
mint The condition of a stamp as released by Canada Post unfaded, with full perforations and original gum. [neuf]
missent item; missent Mail that is incorrectly distributed as a result of being sorted and dispatched to the wrong postal facility, overcarried, or otherwise misrouted. [mal dirigé; article mal acheminé]
mixed bundle A mixed bundle that contains items addressed to several post office delivery areas. [liasse mixte]
mixed container A mixed container that contains bundles of items addressed to several post office delivery areas (including mixed bundles). [conteneur mixte]
MLOCR See multi-line optical character reader. [lecteur optique de caractères multiligne (LOCML)]
mobile delivery service Delivery of mail to industrial areas by motor vehicle usually performed under contract. [service de distribution motorisée]
mobile service Delivery of mail to industrial areas by motorized means (usually performed under contract). [service motorisé]
Money Order Advice Form giving the particulars of money orders drawn on post offices in certain foreign countries and similar forms received from foreign countries respecting money orders drawn on Canadian post offices. [Avis de mandats-poste]
Money Order Postal document purchased at a postal facility for transmitting funds between sender and payee. [mandat-poste]
monotainer label A piece of paper or cardboard with pre-printed or hand-written information detailing the contents and destination of the monotainer. The label is attached to two sides of the monotainer. [étiquette de monoteneur]
monotainer A large, collapsible steel frame container that is used to transport mail between postal facilities and large volume mailers, when authorized by Canada Post and when supplies are available. [monoteneur]
monox A plastic monotainer. [monox]
mount A hinge or acetate container for mounting postage stamps. [étui]
moved Endorsement indicating addressee moved without requesting Change of Address Service or that Change of Address Service period has expired. [déménagé]
MPO See military post office. [bureau de poste militaire (BPM)]
MPP See mail processing plant. [ETC]
multi-line optical character reader (MLOCR) A machine used for mail processing that reads the complete address on a properly addressed mail item and encodes the corresponding fluorescent bar code. [lecteur optique de caractères multiligne (LOCML)]
multiple samples, promotional and novelty items See the Publications Mail Customer Guide at canadapost.ca/pmsupportdocuments. [échantillons, articles de promotion et nouveautés multiples]
multi-web construction self-mailer A fully sealed mailable item consisting of multi layers of single carbonized sheets of paper. Printing is by impact printer after the form is constructed. [envoi à découvert à feuilles multiples]

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National Presortation Schematic presort; NDG presort

A mail presortation option for sequencing mail by FSA or postal code and then grouping and containerizing mail according to the National Presortation Schematic (NPS). [tri préliminaire selon le Schéma de tri préliminaire national; tri préliminaire selon le PNIA]

Note: For operational reasons, this option is commonly called NDG presort.

National Presortation Schematic (NPS)

Formerly known as the National Distribution Guide, Part B, this publication of Canada Post sets out mail presortation schematics required to do mail presortation to direct facilities or consolidation points. [Schéma de tri préliminaire national (STPN)]

National Presortation Schematic (NPS) Levels

The levels of consolidation as per the National Presortation Schematic (NPS) are as follows:

•	level 1: delivery facility

•	level 2: city consolidation

•	level 3: distribution centre facility (DCF)

•	level 4: forward consolidation point (FCP)

Note: Not all services can access all NPS levels.

[Schéma de tri préliminaire national STPN niveaux de regroupement]

NDG

See National Presortation Schematic presort. [tri préliminaire selon le PNIA; tri préliminaire selon le Schéma de tri préliminaire national]

news

Abbreviation for newspaper or periodical mailings. [journaux]

newsdealer

Recognized distributor of newspapers and periodicals, similar to a retailer in other industries. [marchand de journaux]

newsletter

A printed sheet, pamphlet or small newspaper containing news or information of interest to, or bearing on interests of, a special group. Newsletters may include some advertising. [bulletin]

newspaper

A paper, bound or unbound, that contains news, articles of opinion, features and usually advertising which is printed and distributed daily or weekly. [journal]

non-document

Item that cannot be defined as a document. Generally declarable to Customs and may be subject to duties and taxes in the destination country. [article autre qu’un document]

Note: See definition of document.

non-food item

Term used for the Air Stage Freight (Funded) Service. Restricted to items deemed essential and includes items which can be associated with the hunting, fishing and trapping activities of northern isolated communities, even if intended for recreational use. [marchandise autre qu’un aliment]

non-letter carrier delivery route

A delivery route where delivery service is provided by means other than a letter carrier. [itinéraire non desservi par facteur]

non-letter carrier

An employee of Canada Post who sorts and delivers mail to all delivery modes other than letter carrier walks. [employé de livraison autre qu’un facteur]

non-letter carrier office

A postal facility which does not operate as a letter carrier terminal. [bureau sans service de facteur]

non-mailable matter

Items and articles prescribed as non-mailable matter by Section 3 of the Prohibited Mail Regulations and other regulations. (objet inadmissible)

non-priority mail

(1)

Mail transported by regional or local air carriers and including weekly and monthly magazines and advertising materials that have priority before freight and express but not before passengers.

(2)	All the day’s mail that need not be completely processed and ready for dispatch on that day and/or delivered on the next day or delivery trip, according to the time allotments in the applicable service specifications. (courrier non prioritaire)
NPS See National Presortation Schematic. [Schéma de tri préliminaire national (STPN)]
nursery stock Nursery stock includes every kind and species of living or dormant plant grown or used for ornamentation, propagation or cropping. [produit de pépinière]
nutritious non-perishable food item Term used for the Air Stage Freight (Funded) Service. Food item that has an extended shelf life due to the packaging format or nature of the goods, and contains a recognized nutritional value or is endorsed by the program sponsor. [aliment non périssable à valeur nutritive]
nutritious perishable food Term used for the Air Stage Freight (Funded) Service. Food item that is associated with a perishable nature; or is at risk for loss of edible or nutritional quality from exposure to extreme heat or removal from its frozen state. [aliment nutritif périssable]

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OCR

See optical character reader. [lecteur optique de caractères (LOC)]

O/S

See oversize. [article surdimensionné (Surd.)]

office of delivery

The postal facility that will deliver the mail. [bureau de livraison]

office of deposit; originating office

A Canada Post facility where a customer is authorized to deposit mail. [installation de dépôt; bureau d’origine]

Official First Day Cover

Specially printed envelope sold at philatelic counters and by mail order from the National Philatelic Centre used in conjunction with the stamp to which it relates. [pli Premier Jour officiel]

on-time guarantee

Canada Post offers replacement service or credit equivalent to the shipment charges (transportation charges), if the customer’s shipment is not delivered on time, as measured against the published service standards, in accordance with the General Terms and Conditions. [garantie de livraison à temps]

opaque-wrapped

See the Publications Mail Customer Guide at canadapost.ca/pmsupportdocuments. [emballé dans un matériel opaque]

Optical Character Reader (OCR)

A machine that reads the postal code on mail. [lecteur optique de caractères (LOC)]

option

Service enhancement which is not provided automatically as part of the basic service. The customer must select the option by checking a box, or affixing an additional label, or sticker, or using the specified indicia. [option]

origin-destination table

See the Publications Mail Customer Guide at canadapost.ca/pmsupportdocuments. [tableau des points d’origine et de destination]

originating city

See city mail. [centre urbain d’origine]

originating office

See office of deposit [installation de dépôt; bureau d’origine]

other items (AO)

See AO mail. [autres objets (AO)]

other Lettermail

Any mail that does not qualify as standard Lettermail. Oversize and non-standard Lettermail items are included in this category. [autre article Poste-lettres]

other/oversize Unaddressed Admail item

An item other than those accepted under the product definitions or item exceeding the non-letter carrier route size or weight limits. [autre article ou article surdimensionné Médiaposte sans adresse]

out for delivery scan

This scan provides customers with status information for their time-sensitive items. The scan confirms when the item is out for delivery. [balayage à la sortie]

outsert

See the Publications Mail Customer Guide at canadapost.ca/pmsupportdocuments. [excart]

outside item of mail

(1)

Mail, usually a parcel, too large for the mail bag and therefore transported outside. Also includes live specimens such as baby chicks, bees, etc. that cannot be bagged.

(2)	Outside Registered Mail items shipped in this manner and identified on the relevant register bill. [courrier hors sac; envoi hors-sac]
outstanding points of call A point of call receiving an interim delivery mode such as general delivery although qualifying for another standard delivery mode such as community mailbox service, or door-to-door letter carrier delivery. [points de remise en suspens]
overcarried Term applied to mail not off-loaded at the proper destination. See missent. [mauvais acheminement]
oversize (O/S) Items that exceed the basic size requirements of the service. Sizes and prices for mailing oversize items vary by service. [article surdimensionné (Surd.)]
oversize surcharge A surcharge will apply when the length, width or thickness/height exceeds 1 metre for Priority™ Next A.M., Xpresspost, Expedited or Regular Parcel. [surtaxe pour article surdimensionné]

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package

Any wrapped bundle which exceeds the dimension or weight of a Standard or Oversize letter, e.g. a packet, a parcel, etc. [paquet]

page

See the Publications Mail Customer Guide at canadapost.ca/pmsupportdocuments. [page]

pallet

A wooden/plastic/aluminium platform used for the conveyance of containers and/or brick-piled mail items. If customers elect to use pallets, they must provide them. Pallets are also referred to as skids. [palette]

pallet label

A piece of paper or cardboard with pre-printed or hand-written information detailing the contents and destination of the pallet. The label is attached to two sides of a pallet. [étiquette de palette]

parcel delivery

Delivery of parcel-type mail by motor vehicle. [distribution des colis]

parcel post

In general, a mail service handling parcels for international parcel service either by air or surface. [Poste aux colis]

parent post office

See general post office. [bureau de poste principal]

partial mailing

The portion of the total mailing deposited on one of the scheduled mailing days. Each partial mailing must comply with the minimum volume per deposit requirements for the product and be accompanied by an Order (Statement of Mailing) indicating the portion of the mailing; for example 1 of 5, 2 of 5, etc. [dépôt partiel]

periodicals

Magazines and newsletters produced at regular intervals that contain news, articles of opinion, features and advertising. Periodicals exclude:

•	newspapers, and

•	updates to existing periodicals, books, newspapers or reference material.

[périodique]

perishable article

Any matter subject to deterioration due to lengthy transmission time or exposure to extremes of heat and cold. [article périssable]

personal contact item (PCI)

An item which must be delivered by hand to the addressee or recognized representative for the purpose of obtaining a signature or for the collection of charges. [article à remettre en mains propres]

personalized

See the Publications Mail Customer Guide at canadapost.ca/pmsupportdocuments. [personnalisé]

phantom price

An amount of additional postage payable for a mailing that is calculated by multiplying the base price for the service option per item by the difference between the number of items mailed and the minimum number of items it has been agreed to mail under the agreement. [tarif compensatoire]

Note: See also the Publications Mail Customer Guide at canadapost.ca/pmsupportdocuments.

piece of mail

See item of mail.

point of call

An actual or potential business or residential point of delivery. [point de remise]

points of call served

Total number of authorized delivery locations. [points de remise desservis]

post box

A public mailbox. [boîte aux lettres]

post office box

See lock box. [case postale]

post office

Includes any place, receptacle, device or mail conveyance authorized by Canada Post for the posting, receipt, sortation, handling, transmission or delivery of mail. [bureau de poste]

postage due

A term used to describe items of mail on which postage has been either unpaid or short paid or which requires additional postage for delivery. [port dû]

postage meter

Machine that prints a postage impression on gummed meter tape or on an envelope inserted into the machine. The tape is placed on parcels, etc. as postage. [machine à affranchir]

postage paid in cash

System for quantity mailings whereby the postage on items imprinted with the required indicia is paid for in cash at the time of mailing or has been paid for by an advance deposit. [affranchissement en numéraire; port payé en numéraire]

postage

The charge or surcharge payable for the collection, transmission and delivery by Canada Post of messages, information, funds or goods and for Coverage for loss or damage or other special services provided by Canada Post in relation thereto. [port]

postage paid

A term used in lieu of a postage stamp to show that postage has been authorized by Canada Post. [port payé]

postage stamp

Any stamp, postage impression or postage meter impression authorized by Canada Post for the purpose of paying postage. [timbre-poste]

postal box

See lock box. [case postale]

postal code

A six-character alphanumeric combination (ANA NAN) assigned to one or more postal addresses in a specific delivery area (e.g. M4B 1G5). It is an integral part of every postal address in Canada which is used to identify the various processing/delivery facilities and post offices. [code postal]

Note: “Postal Code^OM” is also an official mark of Canada Post. As such, it is written with capital letters as a proper noun.

postal facility

Any building or portion thereof used for postal purposes. [établissement postal; installation postale]

postal indicia

Bilingual indicia which show payment and must include: the Canada Post logo, the product or service type, the permit or customer number, the registration number (where applicable) and the Agreement number (where applicable). [vignette postale]

postal outlet

See retail postal outlet. [comptoir postal]

postal station

Facility operated in larger urban centres to provide counter and delivery services for heavily populated areas some distance from the main post office. [succursale postale]

Postal Union of the Americas, Spain and Portugal

An organization made up of countries in North and South America, Spain and Portugal to regulate postal affairs among members. [Union postale des Amériques, de l’Espagne et du Portugal]

postal values

A general term used to describe items having a monetary value and stocked for sale in post office facilities. [valeurs postales]

postcard

An item of mail on which nothing appears on the right side of the face except the name and complete address of the addressee and such postal endorsements or labels as are necessary to facilitate delivery of the postcard. The postage must be affixed in the upper right-hand corner of the address side. [carte postale]

postmark

A marking applied to a cover to show the date and point of mailing or arrival. [cachet postal; marque postale]

post

To deposit mail in a mail receiver, post office or leave with a person authorized by Canada Post to receive mailable matter. [poster]

pre-authorized payment

An automatic transfer of funds from a customer’s account to Canada Post’s account carried out periodically at the request of the customer. [paiement automatique]

prepaid container

A flat rate, postage-included container into which documents and non-documents may be inserted. In the case of U.S.A. and international shipments, only documents can be inserted. [contenant prépayé]

prepaid label

Flat rate, postage-included labels which are affixed to documents and non-documents for transmission. [étiquette prépayée]

presort

See mail presortation. [tri préliminaire; tri préliminaire du courrier]

presort software

A version and release of a computer program, series of computer programs or computer applications, designed to presort mailings to meet the specifications outlined in the Presort Technical Specifications. [progiciel de tri préliminaire]

presort technical specifications

A document intended specifically to provide developers of presortation softwares with Canada Post presortation requirements. [Spécifications techniques visant le tri préliminaire (STTP)]

primary sort

The first major sort given to mail in a city or forward section. In the forward section, large cities and major routes may be individual separations. In the city section, postal stations, main post office boxes, straights and letter carrier routes are separated. [tri primaire]

Priority Courier

see Priority™ Next A.M. [Priorité^MC Demain matin]

Priority™ Next A.M.

A Parcel Service that provides guaranteed on-time delivery by noon next day for local and regional, and noon next day to 1 day for national, between most major urban centres. Priority™ Next A.M. items must be shipped in Canada for delivery in Canada. [Priorité^MC Demain matin]

Priority™ Next A.M. drop box

A box, usually located outdoors, for the deposit of Priority™ Next A.M. items. [boîte de dépôt Priorité^MC Demain matin]

Priority™ Next A.M. vault box

A box provided by Canada Post for the deposit of Priority™ Next A.M. items that is usually located at a shipper’s premises. [coffre-fort Priorité^MC Demain matin]

processing stream

Flow of mail having like physical characteristics that permit processing on a given type or types of equipment. [flot de traitement du courrier]

progressive pricing

Pricing process for Incentive Lettermail items over 30 g, where the item is subject to a base price plus an additional per gram charge. [tarif progressif]

prohibited mail

Article not acceptable for mailing as defined by statute, agreement or regulations. [article interdit]

prohibitory order

“Order made under Section 43 of the Canada Post Corporation Act whereby any person who uses the mail to commit an offence or aids, procures or counsels any person to commit an offence or with intent to commit an offence uses the mail to accomplish such an object, is served with an order prohibiting delivery of mail to that person.” [décret d’interdiction]

promotional/novelty item

See the Publications Mail Customer Guide at canadapost.ca/pmsupportdocuments. [article de promotion et nouveauté]

proxy

See the Publications Mail Customer Guide at canadapost.ca/pmsupportdocuments. [procuration]

Publications Mail item

See the Publications Mail Customer Guide at canadapost.ca/pmsupportdocuments. [article Poste-publications]

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rate Postage charged per unit of measurement on the various types of mail. Also referred to as “price”. [tarif]
Redirection See Change of Address service. (réexpédition du courrier)
refused A term indicating that the addressee has declined to accept the item of mail. This mail is treated as undeliverable mail. [refusé]
Registered Mail A service that provides the sender with a mailing receipt and secures the signature of the addressee, a print of the signature and the date upon delivery of the item. [Courrier recommandé]
registration number See the Publications Mail Customer Guide at canadapost.ca/pmsupportdocuments. [numéro d’enregistrement]
registration The act of registering an item. See registered mail. [recommandation]
Regular Parcel A parcel which does not bear an identification label and is transmitted to the addressee by surface means. [Colis standard]
renewal notice See the Publications Mail Customer Guide at canadapost.ca/pmsupportdocuments. [avis de renouvellement]
report See the Publications Mail Customer Guide at canadapost.ca/pmsupportdocuments. [rapport]
residential distribution The delivery of mail to a residential address. [distribution résidentielle]
residue bundle A Mixed Bundle. [liasse d’articles résiduaires]
residue grouping A mixed grouping. All items must be facing the same way with the address visible on the top side of the grouping. No minimum number of pieces for the residue grouping. Applies to Addressed Admail and Publications Mail only. [regroupement d’articles résiduaires]
residue mail Mail that the customer cannot make up in accordance with the National Presortation Schematic, and that must be labelled and worked at the office of deposit (applies to Addressed Admail and Publications Mail only). [courrier résiduaire]
Restricted Postal Union An association of Universal Postal Union members formed to conclude special postal arrangements based on reciprocal agreements. [Union postale restreinte]
retail counter A place in a postal facility where postal products may be purchased by and provided to the general public. [comptoir de vente au détail]
retail postal outlet (RPO); postal outlet A facility, generally established in an urban area, operated by an individual or a corporation under a specific agreement, for the purpose of providing postal retail sales and services and, in some cases, limited delivery services to the general public. [comptoir postal]
retail product Any product not related to postal services sold by Canada Post. [produit de détail]
return envelope An envelope used by letter carriers to return undeliverable items following completion of a tour of duty. [enveloppe de retour]
return label; Return Service label A service which allows the customer to enclose a Return Label in the mail item. The addressee can return the item and have the charges billed back to the original shipper. [étiquette de retour; étiquette du Service de retour]
Return Service contract A contract for large volume customers who generate more than 10,000 Priority™ Next A.M., Xpresspost, Expedited Parcel and Regular Parcel returns a year. [Convention relative au Service de retour]
Return to Sender (RTS) Term indicating that the item of mail is to be returned to the sender as it is undeliverable, does not bear postage, is short paid or bears a DO NOT FORWARD endorsement and the addressee has filed a Change of Address Notification. [renvoi à l’expéditeur]
return; returned item; returned shipment Mail returned by directory service to the senders. [envoi réexpédié; article réexpédié; article renvoyé]
ride-along publication See the Publications Mail Customer Guide at canadapost.ca/pmsupportdocuments. [publication d’accompagnement]
ROSS Retail Outlet Support System. [système de soutien aux comptoirs postaux (SSCP)]
routing See distribution. [acheminement]
RPO See retail postal outlet. [comptoir postal]
RR See rural route. [route rurale (RR)]
RSMC See Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers. [factrices et facteurs ruraux et suburbains (FFRS)]
Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers (RSMC) Employees who deliver all mail for customers on an assigned rural or suburban route. [factrices et facteurs ruraux et suburbains (FFRS)]
rural area The area to which mail delivery service is provided from a non-letter carrier post office including rural mail delivery. [secteur rural]
rural bundle A bundle of mail that consists of items bearing a postal code where the second character is the numeral “0.” All items must be facing the same way with the address visible on the top side of the bundle. [liasse de courrier rural]
rural forward sortation area A specific geographical area that is referred to by a forward sortation area code in which the second character of the code is the numeral “0.” [indicateur rural de la région de tri d’acheminement]
rural mailbox (RMB) Privately owned mailbox for the delivery and collection of mail along a rural route. [boîte aux lettres rurale (BLR)]
rural route (RR) System for collection and delivery of mail, and for the transaction of other postal business with customers residing along or near well defined roads in reasonably well settled rural areas. [route rurale (RR)]

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S/L

See short and long. [CL]

safe drop

When an item will not fit in the receiver’s regular mail receptacle, leaving it in a Safe Drop location will be considered. To be considered as a Safe Drop, the item cannot be left in the open (e.g. door step). A Safe Drop card, indicating the location of the Safe Drop, is left at the time of delivery. At the time of mailing, a customer may instruct that the item NOT be Safe Dropped by adding the notation DO NOT SAFE DROP on the address label. A delivery attempt will be made and if no one is available to receive the item, a Delivery Notice Card will be left. Items requiring a signature will not be safe dropped. [livraison en lieu sûr]

sample

See the Publications Mail Customer Guide at canadapost.ca/pmsupportdocuments. [échantillon]

sample copy

Copy of a publication sent to a non-subscriber for advertising purposes. [exemplaire]

scent strip

See the Publications Mail Customer Guide at canadapost.ca/pmsupportdocuments. [bande parfumée]

sealing

All domestic and international envelopes and self-mailers sent at Lettermail or Letter-post prices must be completely sealed. Books and Small Packets should be securely closed but not sealed to allow for inspection. [cachetage]

secondary sortation

Intermediate sorting process required under certain circumstances. It takes place between the primary or first sort and final sort in either forward or city sections. [tri secondaire]

segregate

To separate mail by its physical characteristics. [séparer]

Self-mailer

A mailable article that does not have an outer cover, wrapping or envelope in addition to the paper or material on which the communication is placed. It is in the format of a folder consisting of one or more folded pages (not securely bound) and must be sealed on one or more sides by tabs, gummed stickers, or sealing strips to hold the leaves together. [envoi à découvert]

serial number

(1)

A number assigned to a dispatch of Letter-post, newspaper mail, Parcel Post or Registered Mail dispatched to or received from a foreign country.

(2)

A number given to Registered Mail items, insured parcels, Collect On Delivery articles and bulletins of verification.

(3) A unique number imprinted on each money order at the time of manufacture. [numéro d’ordre de série]

service code

Some large rural delivery facilities have additional postal codes referred to as service codes. These service codes are constructed by taking the postal code of the installation (e.g. K0A 1T0) and replacing the zero (0) in the last character position with a number from 1 to 9 (e.g. K0A 1T1). [code de service]

service specifications

The time limits within which types of mail must be processed. [normes de service]

shipment

One or more items tendered at one time and place by one shipper for shipment to one consignee. [envoi]

shipper

A sender of a shipment. [expéditeur de courrier]

short and long (S/L)

Category of mail items that conform to the Short and Long sizes. [court et long (CL)]

shortpaid mail

Mail bearing insufficient postage. [courrier insuffisamment affranchi]

Signature Copy

A service whereby the mailer can request a hard copy of the signature which Canada Post obtained from the addressee or the addressee’s representative upon delivery of a Priority™ Next A.M., Xpresspost, Expedited Parcel, Regular Parcel or domestic Registered Mail item. [Copie de la signature]

Signature option

An option selected by the customer for a service whereby Canada Post obtains the signature of the addressee or the addressee’s representative upon delivery of a Priority™ Next A.M., Xpresspost, Expedited Parcel or Regular Parcel item. [option Signature]

single deposit

All items that are deposited by the customer at one time in one day, on a single Order (Statement of Mailing) at one location, unless otherwise agreed in writing by Canada Post and the customer. [dépôt unique; dépôt simple]

single mailing

See single deposit. [dépôt simple]

SLB

See street mailbox. [boîte aux lettres publiques (BLP)]

slogan

Phrase inserted in the die hub of a cancelling machine that appears in the postmark when letters are cancelled. See cachet. [oblitération avec texte]

small packet

An international package weighing up to 2 kg, usually containing goods. [petit paquet]

sort; sortation

Separation or division of mail according to post offices, transportation routes, counties, provinces, states or countries, or according to local delivery methods, e.g. general delivery, post office boxes, letter carrier routes, or postal station separations. [tri]

source guide

See the Publications Mail Customer Guide at canadapost.ca/pmsupportdocuments. [guide source]

souvenir sheet

A mini-sheet containing one or more stamps, similar or different, and a printed commemorative inscription. [bloc-feuillet; feuillet-souvenir]

special edition/issue; extra edition/issue

See the Publications Mail Customer Guide at canadapost.ca/pmsupportdocuments. [numéro spécial/supplémentaire; édition spéciale/supplémentaire]

special mailing

Large mailings of an irregular nature such as election notices or income tax forms. [dépôt spécial]

special service

A service as defined under the Special Service and Fees Regulations of the Canada Post Corporation Act and Regulations. [services spéciaux]

specimen, scientific

Cultures and specimens of a scientific nature that may be mailed under strict regulations. [échantillon scientifique]

staging point

The authorized point from which Air Stage Freight Service parcels are transmitted by air to an Air Stage Office. [bureau d’expédition de vol]

Standard Lettermail

A category of mail that meets the size and weight specifications as well as other requirements for Standard Lettermail, as described in the Canada Postal Guide’s Lettermail chapter. [Poste-lettres standard]

station (STN)

A delivery facility as per level 1 of the National Presortation Schematic (NPS). [succursale (SUCC)]

statutory holiday

Public holiday authorized by statute. [jour férié]

STN

See station. [succursale (SUCC)]

straight

Bag, package or bundle containing items of mail destined for the same post office. [paquet direct]

street letter box (SLB)

See street mailbox. [boîte aux lettres publique (BLP)]

street mailbox; street letter box (SLB)

A box for posting mail, placed at sites convenient to the public such as street corners, shopping centres and public transit locations. [boîte aux lettres publique (BLP)]

suburban service

Delivery by contractor to group mailboxes usually near or on the perimeters of urban areas. [service suburbain]

supplemental mailing; supplementary mailing

See the Publications Mail Customer Guide at canadapost.ca/pmsupportdocuments. [envoi supplémentaire]

surcharge

Additional cost of tax levied for a specific reason. [surtaxe; droit supplémentaire]

surface mail

Mail transported by land or water. [courrier de surface]

survey

See the Publications Mail Customer Guide at c canadapost.ca/pmsupportdocuments. [sondage]

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tagged stamp Stamp invisibly marked during production to make it positively identifiable to an automatic facer canceller. [timbre-poste marqué]
tariff number An international standardized code for each commodity that must be entered on the Bill of Lading, if available. [numéro de tarif]
thickness The dimension which is perpendicular to the address side of a mail item. [épaisseur]
third party shipping system software (3PSS) Computer software developed by a third party for the use by qualified commercial mailers to establish pricing of products and services, as well as prepare Canada Post shipping labels and electronic or manual manifests. [logiciel d’expédition par tierce partie (LETP)]
tie-on-tag An eyelet tag which may be affixed to a mail bag with string or a plastic cable tie. [étiquette volante]
Time-Committed A service option which may be requested by the customer for publications which are mailed relatively frequently and meet specific criteria. [à délai convenu]
to the door delivery Item of mail that is delivered directly to the door of the addressee. [livraison à l’adresse réelle]
Track and Trace; Track and Trace system A system that utilizes barcode technology to determine the transit and delivery status of an item. [Pistage et repérage; Système de pistage et de repérage]
transcript of proceedings See the Publications Mail Customer Guide at canadapost.ca/pmsupportdocuments. [transcription de comptes rendus officiels]
transportation fee Customers who choose to deposit Unaddressed Admail other than at the office of delivery must pay Canada Post this fee to transport the items to the office of delivery. [frais de transport]

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UMO See undeliverable mail office. [Centre des envois non distribuables (CEND)]
Unaddressed Admail Consists of printed matter and product samples for delivery that are not addressed to a specific address in Canada. Items must be unaddressed but may bear wording such as “Householder”, “Occupant”, “Resident” or “Boxholder”, without any further address. Unaddressed Admail provides geographic, demographic and lifestyle information to target mailings to neighborhoods or localities that have the highest potential audience, without a customer database. [Médiaposte sans adresse]
undeliverable mail office (UMO) An office to which undeliverable mail, which does not bear a return address, is sent for opening to ascertain the sender and then disposed of by Return to Sender, auction or destruction. [Centre des envois non distribuables (CEND)]
undeliverable mail Mail that for any cause cannot be delivered to the addressee. This category also includes any mail the delivery of which is prohibited by law or is refused by the addressee. Mail is also considered undeliverable if it does not bear a complete address, the addressee has moved without providing a forwarding address, it is refused by the addressee or the postage due is not paid by the customer, or the addressee, on demand. [envoi non distribuable]
underpaid mail See shortpaid mail. [courrier insuffisamment affranchi]
Universal Postal Union (UPU) International body, with headquarters in Bern, Switzerland, co-ordinating the postal interests of worldwide postal organizations. [Union postale universelle (UPU)]
unknown Addressee does not reside at address given and is unknown to delivery personnel. [inconnu]
unpaid mail Mail that does not bear any postage. [courrier non affranchi]
UPU See Universal Postal Union. [Union postale universelle (UPU)]
urban area The area to which mail delivery service is provided from any letter carrier post office including any letter carrier, rural route or other route serving an urban forward sortation area. [secteur urbain]
urban core areas Toronto and Vancouver central business districts. Toronto core boundaries are: within Bloor/Lake Ontario/Jarvis/Bathurst. Vancouver core boundaries are: within Coal Harbour/False Creek/Main/Stanley Park. [secteurs centre-ville]
urban delivery areas All post offices in urban areas with letter carrier delivery except designated core areas in Toronto and Vancouver. [secteurs de livraison urbains]

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VentureOne A program which entitles participating small businesses to claim savings of 5% (SBR tariffs) on select shipping services. [Entrepreneur]
volumetric weight The volumetric weight ensures that the postage for lightweight and bulky parcels adequately covers the cost of transportation for the space they occupy. [poids volumétrique]
voting ballot See the Publications Mail Customer Guide at canadapost.ca/pmsupportdocuments. [bulletin de vote]

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walk See letter carrier route (LCR). [itinéraire de facteur]
width Facing the address side of a mail item, it is the shortest dimension. [largeur]
window envelope Envelopes having an address window through which the address appearing on the enclosure in the envelope may be read. [enveloppe à fenêtre]
wrapper See the Publications Mail Customer Guide at canadapost.ca/pmsupportdocuments. [emballage]

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Xpresspost A service for documents or packages of goods, merchandise or other articles. The envelope or packaging must bear a bar-coded Xpresspost prepaid label (except in the case of prepaid containers). [Xpresspost]
Xpresspost-USA A service for documents and parcels to the U.S.A., its territories and possessions, providing Delivery Confirmation and service guarantees. Items must bear an Xpresspost-USA bar-coded shipping label. [Xpresspost É.-U.]
Xpresspost-International A service for documents and parcels to participating international countries. It provides Delivery Confirmation and service guarantees. Items must bear an Xpresspost-International bar-coded shipping label. [Xpresspost-International]

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ZIP Code A United States Postal Service term for their type of postal code. ZIP stands for “Zone Improvement Plan.” [code ZIP]
zone A group of staff offices/postal stations operating within an area under the direction of a zone postmaster or zone manager. [zone]

POSTAL SERVICES INFORMATION

Postal Guide

Prices

Mail Preparation & Presortation Guides

International Destination Listing

Customer Guides

Postal Indicia

General Terms and Conditions

Container Labels

index

Glossary

Postal Standards