Small Packet™ (U.S.A. and International)
1 | What Is Small Packet (U.S.A. and International)? |  |
Small Packet™ service is available to consumers and VentureOne cardholders. This service is also available with an Agreement, Contract Customers must consult their Parcel Services Customer Guide for information.
Small Packet is an economical shipping service for sending small and lightweight items.
All items must bear a Small Packet shipping label and a Canadian return address, be posted in Canada for delivery to the U.S.A. or an international destination.
Light Packet is a line extension of Small Packet which is available to Customers at post offices and using the online eBay shipping platform. Light Packet is the most economical shipping service for sending small and lightweight non-document goods.
Not applicable.
2 | Unacceptable Items | |
Any item is considered unacceptable if:
- it is or contains any dangerous substance or article prohibited by law or defined as a dangerous good
(see Non-mailable Matter for more information or refer to the Non-mailable Matter Regulations or the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act).
- it does not meet the size and weight specifications for this service
- it may soil, taint or damage mail or mail equipment, expose a person to danger or emit offensive odours
- it contains food perishables or live animals that do not meet applicable shipping requirements
- it is improperly prepared or insecurely packed or wrapped.
- any item that is in contravention of applicable Universal Postal Union prohibitions, and U.S.A.’s Department of Transportation or Customs Regulations. The United States prohibits or applies restrictions on the acceptance of certain articles for transmission by post. For more information on restrictions and prohibitions, see International Destination Listing.
The Customer has the responsibility of ensuring that the contents of an item can be shipped under Canadian legislation, including but not limited to the Criminal Code, the Canada Post Corporation Act (including, in particular, the Non-Mailable Matter Regulations), the Tobacco Act, the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act and Regulations, the IATA (International Air Transport Association) or the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) Dangerous Goods Regulations and all applicable laws.
Canada Post will not deliver offensive articles that contain sexually explicit material, any information relating to bookmakers, pool-setting, betting or wagering or unlawful schemes, or any item related to schemes to defraud the public.
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NOTE 1:
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Restrictions change from time to time, therefore the Customer must ensure the contents meet all current applicable requirements. For more information on unacceptable items, visit Non-mailable Matter in the Canada Postal Guide. |
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2:
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Prohibitions or restrictions on the acceptance of certain articles for transmission by post may apply (refer to “International Destination Listing” in the section Postal Services Information of the Canada Post website). |
3 | Size and Weight | |
Each item must meet the size and weight specifications.
Table 1: Small Packet and Light Packet Size and Weight
4 | Pricing Information | |
To obtain information on pricing, see Canada Post Prices.
5 | Payment Options | |
Table 2 lists the acceptable proofs of payment for Small Packet items. Some restrictions or conditions may apply.
Table 2: Small Packet Proofs of Payment
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A postage stamp cannot be applied to a Small Packet item ordered through the Electronic Shipping Tools (EST) or a third-party shipping system. |
Table 3 lists the acceptable methods of payment for Small Packet items. Some restrictions or conditions may apply.
Table 3: Small Packet Methods of Payment
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Payment by cash, debit card or Money Order is available only to Customers paying at a post office. |
6 | Delivery Standards at a Glance | |
Delivery standards are estimates of how long it will take for the mail to be delivered. These delivery standards are not guaranteed.
Table 4: Small Packet and Light Packet Delivery Standards
7 | Features | |
A feature is something that is provided as part of the basic service. The available features are described below. No features are available for Light Packet items.
7.1 | Delivery to a Post Office Box |
Items will be delivered to a post office box in an international destination where this type of delivery is available.
Canada Post will provide a presentation of all items to the exchange office in the destination country. Issues related to duties and admissions will be the responsibility of the addressee (importer of record).
8 | Options | |
An option is a service enhancement which is not included automatically as part of the basic service. Most options are available for an additional fee. The options for Small Packet and Light Packet are available to contract Customers only.
On-Demand Pickup services are available to VentureOne cardholders (paying by credit card).
There is no minimum volume requirement when arranging a Canada Post On-Demand Pickup. A pickup fee per stop will apply unless shipping using either Priority™ or Priority™ Worldwide services. Pickups can be arranged up to five (5) Business Days in advance or on the same Business Day, provided the request is made before the local call-in cut-off time.
8.2 | Third-Party On-Demand Pickup |
Third-Party On-Demand Pickup service is available to VentureOne cardholders (paying by credit card).
Third-Party On-Demand Pickup allows Customers to authorize a Canada Post pickup at a third party location or alternate address. Customers can arrange for the additional pickup locations themselves or provide their seven-digit Canada Post Customer Number to their third-party, authorizing the third-party to arrange for On-Demand Pickup service.
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NOTE:
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To arrange an On-Demand Pickup or Third-Party On-Demand Pickup, Customers may contact Customer Service at 1.888.550.6333. Visit canadapost.ca/pickup for areas where Canada Post offers pickup services and for call-in cut-off times |
Items that cannot be delivered or redirected will be returned to the sender for a fee, payable by the sender. Where the item bears postage stamp(s) or meter impression denoting the original amount of postage, the item will be returned for an amount equal to the original postage, less any option fee, using the postage due process. The return of an item is dependent upon the regulations for return of mail in the specific destination.
Items are returned to the sender when:
- the item is refused or unclaimed by the addressee
- the delivery address is incomplete or does not exist
- the addressee is no longer at the address and no forwarding address is available
- an improper shipping label has been applied
- the item’s dimensions or weight exceeds the maximum allowed
- the item has been refused entry by the destination country.
The Customer is responsible for the Return to Sender service fee regardless of the reason for the return. Returned items refused by the Customer (shipper in Canada) are treated as undeliverable and disposed of or recycled pursuant to Canada Post’s policy on undeliverable items at the Customer’s expense (i.e., disposal, shipping and all other applicable charges).
9 | Labels and Documentation Required | |
Every item must have all of the following information:
- a Small Packet/customs label or an approved Small Packet label by a shipping system. For items with a declared value of over $500CDN, a Customs Declaration form must also be completed and affixed.
- all Light Packet items must have a Small Packet/customs label. Light Packet items must also have an O/S Stream identifier label) or be printed on an eBay electronic shipping platform.
- the name and address of the addressee including the Canadian return address of the customer and the Customs Declaration portion clearly printed on the shipping label affixed to the item
- acceptable proof of payment (postage stamps, postal indicia, or meter impression)
- a Small Packet CN22 Customs label with the Customs Declaration portion accurately completed (see Customs Requirements for more information)
- any document (invoice, licence, certificate, permit, etc.) required by Customs regulations.
All items must have the declared value indicated in the Customs Declaration portion of the shipping label.
The importation of food and drugs is strictly regulated in the U.S.A. Please refer to Customs Requirements for more information.
10 | Packaging | |
All items must be securely packaged with sufficient cushioning and reinforcing material to prevent loss of or damage to the items, damage to postal equipment or other mail and injury to persons handling the items. Items must not consist of dangerous or prohibited articles.
A Small Packet item may be mailed sealed or unsealed. If sealed, they may be opened, if needed, to verify their contents.
For specific packaging requirements, see ACBs of Mailing of the Canada Postal Guide.
11 | Addressing | |
The address information on the shipping label must be complete as specified in the “Addressing Guidelines” of the Canada Postal Guide.
To facilitate the handling of an item during transmission by post, it is highly recommended to include the addressee’s telephone number on the item.
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NOTE 1:
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U.S.A. ZIP Code is mandatory for all U.S.A. destinations. |
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2:
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Customers are responsible for signing all documentation where applicable. Employees are prohibited from signing the shipping label or the Invoice Declaration/Commercial Invoice on the sender’s behalf. |
12 | Depositing | |
Canada Post provides the following options for the deposit of items (including items processed online through the eBay shipping platform):
- Post Office: during advertised hours of acceptance
- Street Letter Box: items processed with the online version of Canada Post’s Electronic Shipping Tools or Ship-in-a-click may be deposited into a street letter box if size permits and the item does not need to be accompanied by a Manifest
Items deposited after the last collection time specified on the street letter box are considered as being deposited on the next business day.
13 | Delivering | |
Canada Post transfers U.S.A. and International Small Packet items to transfer points for delivery by the postal administration of the destination country.Keywords: air, surface, return to sender, RTS, returned, coverage, insurance, loss, damage, indemnity, stolen, theft, lost, sticker, BOL, small packet label, customs, FDA, prior notice, EST, acceptance office, mailing office, manifest
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