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Guidelines for mailing by Canada Post

CF family members and friends sending letters or packages to deployed CF Members

Sending letters and packages can be a wonderful way to keep in touch with loved ones and friends serving overseas. The following guidelines are offered to assist in properly preparing your letter or parcel:

• Plan in advance for special occasions. Once an item is mailed, it could take up to three weeks for the mail to be delivered to the addressee in theatre. If an individual in theatre is consistently experiencing more than three weeks for mail to arrive, it is recommended that the indivdiual discuss the matter with their serving Canadian Forces postal support personnel in theatre
• Parcels must be clearly addressed. 
  Operational addresses can be found at the following link:
  http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/Community/Messageboard/addresses_e.asp
  
• Clearly write the sender's address in the top left corner.
• If mailing by Canada Post, any postal services costing $5 or more is GST exempt.
• Ensure that the parcel is wrapped properly and securely and use packing tape. Do not use string to bind the parcel.
• The following are specific guidelines for this service (Note: Oversize and overweight parcels will not be accepted):
1. Weight: Maximum 20 Kg.
   
2. Size: Two conditions must be met regarding size: a. maximum length is one metre; and b. the maximum length plus girth is two meters (the definition of girth = width + height + width + height). In the following illustration, the parcel has the following dimensions: length = 1.0 m, width = 0.3 m, and height = 0.15 m. The parcel just meets the maximum size by the following calculation: 1.0 + 0.3 + 0.15 + 0.3 + 0.15 = 1.9 m.
   
• When mailing by Canada Post, a Canada Customs declaration form is required with every parcel departing or entering Canada signed by the sender of the parcel. Customs authorities of the destination country may examine all mail and may confiscate any prohibited item. Such items may lead to criminal charges being laid against the sender.

Mail Regulations
No article may be sent by mail if their nature or packaging may expose postal employees to hazards, or damage other items of mail. Mailing the following items is strictly prohibited:

• alcohol, beer and wine;
• weapons, including replicas
• explosives, radioactive materials or ammunition;
• matches;
• flammable liquids or solids;
• compressed gas;
• propane cigarette lighters;
• corrosive fluids
• obscene magazines or pictures;
• drugs; and
• perishable items.