Postal Guide
- Canada Postal Guide

Last updated: 2006-09-18

Section D – Chapter 5

Commercial Expedited Parcel™-USA

Table of Contents

• What is it?
• Unacceptable Items
• Size and Weight
• Volumetric Weight
• Payment Options
• Service Standards
• Features
• Options
• Labels and Documentation Required
• Packaging
• Addressing
• Deposit of Commercial Expedited Parcel-USA
• General Terms and Conditions
• Pricing Information

What is it?  to top of page

Commercial* Expedited Parcel-USA consists of parcels shipped from Canada for delivery to the U.S.A. Commercial Expedited Parcel-USA is available to commercial customers who use an electronic shipping system to transmit Manifest and Customs information to Canada Post.

Consumers and commercial customers who do not use an electronic shipping system should opt for Expedited Parcel-USA. Go to Section D – Chapter 4.

Commercial Expedited Parcel-USA will accept any item which meets the size, weight, value and packaging requirements. Unpackaged items (e.g., pails, tires) may be shipped by Commercial Expedited Parcel-USA, upon payment of a surcharge.

Commercial Expedited Parcel-USA items may not be combined with Collect on Delivery (COD), Registered (including Advice of Receipt), Literature for the Blind or Signature.

*This service provides electronic Customs Clearance through a broker, rather than Customs Presentation.

Unacceptable Items  to top of page

The following items are unacceptable as Commercial Expedited Parcel-USA. Any item:

• with a value over $2,000US
that is or contains any dangerous substance or article prohibited by law or defined as a dangerous good. Go to Section B – Chapter 7, Non-mailable Matter, or refer to the Non-mailable Matter Regulations and to the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act
• that does not meet the size and weight specifications for this service
• that may soil, taint or damage mail or mail equipment, expose a person to danger or emit offensive odors
• that contains food items for human or animal consumption, including beverages, supplements, chewing gum, candy, etc.
• improperly or insecurely packed or wrapped
• mailed to United States territories and possessions, United States Army Post Offices (APO’s) and military installations
• regulated by the United States Food and Drug Administration (including pharmaceuticals, health and beauty products or appliances, kitchen appliances, dishes, glasses and laser-related items such as CD-ROMs)
• 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.

Size and Weight  to top of page

NOTE:

1. An oversize charge applies if an item exceeds 1 m in any dimension (length, width or height).
2. If the weight is not indicated on the Manifest, a default weight of 5 kg applies.

Volumetric Weight  to top of page

Volumetric weight charges apply when items are large in size and light in weight. Go to Section B – Chapter 4, Planning a Mailing.

Payment Options  to top of page

Proofs of payment

The following proofs of payment are acceptable for Commercial Expedited Parcel-USA items. Some restrictions or conditions may apply.

Methods of Payment

The following methods of payment are acceptable for Commercial Expedited Parcel-USA items. Some restrictions or conditions may apply.

For more information, Go to Section B – Chapter 5, Paying for a Mailing.

Service Standards  to top of page

From 5 to 9 business days between major urban centres from Canada to the U.S.A. Business days do not include Saturdays, Sundays or statutory holidays.

These service standards are not guaranteed. Service standards are estimates of how long it will take for the mail to be delivered.

Features  to top of page

A feature is provided automatically as part of the basic service.

Delivery Confirmation: This service feature provides confirmation that the item arrived at its destination. Upon delivery, or attempted delivery, the item Identification Number is scanned and the date captured. The information is usually available by noon the next business day following delivery, via an automated phone response system by calling 1 888 550-6333 or via the Internet. This feature is not available for mail destined to Hawaii, Alaska, U.S.A. territories and possessions or United States Military Post Offices.

Electronic Customs Clearance: A broker will provide commercial clearance to U.S.A. Customs on behalf of Canada Post. The broker will collect all duties and taxes directly from the shipper rather than the addressee.

Coverage for loss or damage: Coverage of up to $100CDN is included in the fee for Commercial Expedited Parcel-USA items. Certain exceptions apply.

Canada Post shall have no liability for loss, damage or rifling of items containing bank notes, stocks, bonds or other securities negotiable by the bearer, lottery tickets, travellers’ cheques or non-mailable matter, as well as any article prohibited by law in Canada or in the destination country. Go to General Terms and Conditions.

Return to Sender: Commercial Expedited Parcel-USA 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. Where the Customer Number is located on the item, the item will be returned and the Customer will be invoiced an amount equal to the original fee paid, less any option fee.

Options  to top of page

An option is a 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.

Additional Coverage for loss or damage: Additional Coverage is available up to $1,000CDN for Commercial Expedited Parcel-USA shipments, for a fee. Certain exceptions apply.

The maximum declared value for liability coverage is $500CDN for items containing coins, jewelry, manufactured and non-manufactured precious metals, precious stones, gold bullion, gold dust, cancelled or uncancelled postage stamps, and $100CDN for items containing gift certificates and phone cards.

Canada Post shall have no liability for loss, damage or rifling of items containing bank notes, stocks, bonds or other securities negotiable by the bearer, lottery tickets, travellers’ cheques or non-mailable matter, as well as any article prohibited by law in Canada or in the destination country. Go to General Terms and Conditions.

Scheduled Pick-up: This option is available to Customers using “Account” as a method of payment for Shipping and Delivery Services. Scheduled Pick-up is provided on business days only.

This option is available for a fee based on total volume shipped each week. It is offered at no additional charge for Customers who ship more than 120 items per week. The weekly volume of U.S.A. and International Shipping and Delivery Services can be consolidated with the weekly volume of Domestic Shipping and Delivery Services and counted towards the pick-up fee threshold. For a list of available pick-up locations, Customers can visit www.canadapost.ca/pick-up or contact the Customer Relationship Support group at 1-888-550-6333.

Labels and Documentation Required  to top of page

Every Commercial Expedited Parcel-USA item must:

• have the name and address of the addressee clearly printed on the item or on a label affixed to the item;
• have the appropriate U.S. return address clearly printed on the item or on a label affixed to the item;
• have proof of payment (postage stamps, account number, postal indicia or meter impression);
• have a Commercial Expedited Parcel-USA shipping label produced by the Electronic Shipping Tools or another approved shipping software, with the Customs Declaration portion completed;
• be accompanied by any document (licence, certificate, permit, etc.) required by United States Customs regulations.

Manifest (order)

Two paper copies of the electronic Order (Manifest), or the original hard copy Manifest, must be given at the time of mailing to an authorized Canada Post employee at the Receipt Verification Unit (RVU) or at the postal facility approved by Canada Post. For more information, Go to Section B – Chapter 5, Paying for a Mailing, Order (Manifests or Bills of Lading).

Packaging  to top of page

All items must be securely packaged with sufficient cushioning and reinforcing material to prevent loss of items or damage to mail items or postal equipment, or injury to persons handling the mail.

Addressing  to top of page

All items must bear a legible address including the correct zip code, and must include the shipper’s and addressee’s telephone numbers. Items must not be addressed to a post office box. Go to Section B – Chapter 3, Addressing.

Deposit of Commercial Expedited Parcel-USA  to top of page

Commercial Expedited Parcel-USA items may be dropped off during advertised hours of acceptance at a mail processing plant.

General Terms and Conditions  to top of page

Go to General Terms and Conditions.

Pricing Information  to top of page

For pricing information, contact a Canada Post Sales Representative.