Hold Mail is a service which enables Customers to have their mail held by Canada Post because they are going on an extended holiday or will be away from their home or their business for a period of time. The service is accessible at any post office or on the Internet at: www.canadapost.ca.
Payment Options
Proofs of Payment
The following proofs of payment are acceptable for Hold Mail service only if payment is made in an non-automated office:
commercial CUSTOMER
CONSUMER CUSTOMER
•
Meter impression
•
Postage stamp
Methods of Payment
The following methods of payment are acceptable for Hold Mail service. Some restrictions or conditions may apply.
commercial CUSTOMER
CONSUMER CUSTOMER
•
Cash
•
Credit card (where available)
•
Debit card (where available)
•
Money Order
•
Business cheque
•
Cash
•
Certified cheque
•
Credit card (where available)
•
Debit card (where available)
•
Money Order
NOTE:
If the customer buys the Hold Mail service via the Internet, payment must be made by credit card.
Customers must complete a Request to Hold Mail form which can be obtained from any Postal Outlet. Two pieces of acceptable identification, preferably with photo ID, are required to purchase the Hold Mail service.
The Customer can also purchase Hold Mail service on the Internet at: www.canadapost.ca. The Customer will receive confirmation of his request by email.
Only four individuals, four families, or two businesses (or a combination of two family names and two businesses) can use this form. When a business and individual or family share the same form, the business fee applies.
Service Features
The service is available for various periods of time depending on the type of Customer (residential, business, or school). The minimum fee for residential Customers is for a 2 week period (10 business days) and the minimum fee for businesses is for 5 business days. However, Hold Mail service can be requested for a shorter period of time. The service can be extended, providing the extension is requested before the expiry date of the service. There are no limitations on the additional periods of extension. The extension fee will be based on the current service fee at the time of purchase.
A Customer may choose to pick up the held mail at the post office, up to a maximum of once a week, provided proper identification is shown.
Schools may combine Hold Mail service with Change of Address Service. Service to schools is based on an annual fee.
Expiry or Cancellation
A Customer can amend or cancel the Hold Mail service at any time by presenting the receipt at any postal outlet. However, no refund will be granted once the service has commenced.
When the Hold Mail service expires or is cancelled, normal mail delivery resumes and the held mail is delivered to the Customer’s address. If the volume of held mail is too great to be placed in the mail receptacle, a Delivery Notice card is left and the Customer is required to pick up the mail at the post office.
Restrictions
A Hold Mail request cannot be accepted if the Customer receives mail through, or in care of, an institution such as a business, hotel, motel, rooming house, nursing home, hospital, school or similar institution, through a privately managed postal box, or if the Customer shares a postal address (where several businesses share a common postal address).
In cases of dissolved partnerships, marriages, etc., if there is a dispute over who should receive the mail, a joint written agreement, signed by both parties, will be required.
Under certain circumstances, Priority Courier, Xpresspost, Expedited Parcel and Regular Parcel items may not be held.
Right of Refusal
Canada Post reserves the right to refuse to hold mail and to end the arrangement at any time.
Privacy Act
The use of Customer information gathered by Canada Post is governed by the Privacy Act.
Enquiries
General enquiries concerning the Hold Mail service should be directed to the Customer Relationship Support group at 1 800 267-1177 or by email at: service@canadapost.ca.
Addressing
The request must be supported by a Request to Hold Mail form that includes a legible and complete address with the correct postal code. Go to Section B – Chapter 3, Addressing.
PDF to print
