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Delivery Standards
1 | What Are Delivery Standards? | ![to top of page](/web/20171211180909im_/https://www.canadapost.ca/tools/pg/images/blue-back-bullet-up.gif) |
Delivery standards represent the expected transit time in business days from the day of deposit (day 0) to delivery for items deposited before the local cut-off time. A business day is a day other than Saturday, Sunday, a statutory holiday and any day observed as a holiday by Canada Post. For all services, deposits on days other than business days are considered as being accepted on the next business day. Items deposited after the last collection time specified on the street letter box or after the cut-off time of the deposit location approved by Canada Post are considered as being deposited on the next business day. Visit canadapost.ca/cutofftimes for the list of deposit location cut-off times.
The delivery standards do not applies to items that are return to sender or forwarded.
Delivery standards are based on available transportation and, therefore, are subject to change without notice.
- Local – Where the destination city/town is the same as the originating city/town.
- Provincial – Where the destination city/town is in the same province as the originating city/town.
- Regional – Where the destination city/town is in the same region as the originating city/town. Canadian regions are grouped according to Table 1.
Table 1: Canadian regions
- National – Where the destination city/town is in a different province as the originating city/town.
- FSA (Forward Sortation Area) is the first 3 characters of the Postal Code. The FSA identifies the major geographic area in an urban or rural location.
- LDU (Local Delivery Unit) is the last 3 characters of the Postal Code. The LDU identifies the smallest delivery unit within the FSA.
- Processing facility - a facility at which parcels and mail are separated, sorted and transported to destination facilities for further processing or delivery. See Table 8 for DM/TM and Table 11 for Parcels.
- Major urban centre - a location with a processing facility for sorting, processing and distributing parcels and mail. Delivery standards to and from major urban centres are shortest because parcels and mail do not need to be transported to or from a processing facility before they are delivered. See Table 8 for DM/TM and Table 11 for Parcels.
- Non-major urban centre - a location without a processing facility. Delivery standards to or from non-major urban centres are longer because non-local parcels and mail need to be transported to or from a processing facility before they can be delivered. See Table 8 for DM/TM and Table 11 for Parcels.
- Northern regions and remote areas – a location that is far removed from major urban centres or that receives infrequent service. All remote areas are listed in Table 9.
2 | Direct Marketing and Transaction Mail | ![to top of page](/web/20171211180909im_/https://www.canadapost.ca/tools/pg/images/blue-back-bullet-up.gif) |
The following table provides an overview of the applicable delivery standards. Delivery standards are not guaranteed.
Table 2: Delivery standards for Direct Marketing and Transaction Mail (domestic)
L = Local, P = Provincial, N = National
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Subtract 1 day for time-committed Publications Mail.
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**
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For Neighbourhood Mail only, please refer to Table 7 (delivery cycle) to determine the delivery standard applicable to your mailing and add it to the transportation time above.
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NOTE:
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Table 8 or Table 9 will identify the processing facility and the classification (i.e. whether it is located in a major urban centre, non-major urban centre or remote area) of the FSA where your mailing will be deposited or delivered.
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2.1 | Personalized Mail™ and Postal Code Targeting (Machineable standard) |
In order to calculate the estimated delivery standard for these services, follow the steps below:
- Using Table 8, determine the FSA where your mailing will be deposited to find the associated processing facility;
- Using Table 8, determine the FSA where your mailing will be delivered to find the associated processing facility;
- Using Table 3, calculate the delivery standard by using the applicable processing facilities identified above.
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Table 3: Personalized Mail and Postal Code Targeting (Machineable standard) Magnify + ![](/web/20171211180909im_/https://www.canadapost.ca/tools/pg/manual/images/Magnifying_Glass.gif) ![](/web/20171211180909im_/https://www.canadapost.ca/tools/pg/manual/images/PGdeliverystds-e.10.1.1.jpg)
Exceptions:
- If the FSA where your mailing will be deposited or delivered is located in a non-major urban centre, add 1 day.
- If the FSA where your mailing will be deposited or delivered is in a remote area, add up to 9 days. See Table 9 to determine if your FSA is in a remote area.
2.2 | Personalized Mail™ (Special Handling and Machineable Oversize) and Publications Mail™ |
In order to calculate the estimated delivery standard for these services, follow the steps below:
- Using Table 8, determine the FSA where your mailing will be deposited to find the associated processing facility;
- Using Table 8, determine the FSA where your mailing will be delivered to find the associated processing facility;
- Using Table 4, calculate the delivery standard by using the applicable processing facilities identified above.
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Table 4: Personalized Mail™ (Special Handling and Machineable Oversize) and Publications Mail Magnify + ![](/web/20171211180909im_/https://www.canadapost.ca/tools/pg/manual/images/Magnifying_Glass.gif) ![](/web/20171211180909im_/https://www.canadapost.ca/tools/pg/manual/images/PGdeliverystds-e.10.1.2.jpg)
Exceptions:
- If the FSA where your mailing will be deposited or delivered is located in a non-major urban centre, add 1 day.
- Add 1 day for Dimensional Personalized Mail.
- Subtract 1 day for time-committed Publications Mail.
- If the FSA where your mailing will be deposited or delivered is in a remote area, add up to 9 days. See Table 9 to determine if your FSA is in a remote area.
2.3 | Lettermail™ (Incentive Lettermail™ and Registered Mail™) and Business Reply Mail™ |
In order to calculate the estimated delivery standard for these services, follow the steps below:
- Using Table 8, determine the FSA where your mailing will be deposited to find the associated processing facility;
- Using Table 8, determine the FSA where your mailing will be delivered to find the associated processing facility;
- Using Table 5, calculate the delivery standard by using the applicable processing facilities identified above.
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Table 5: Lettermail (Incentive Lettermail and Registered Mail) and Business Reply Mail™ Magnify + ![](/web/20171211180909im_/https://www.canadapost.ca/tools/pg/manual/images/Magnifying_Glass.gif) ![](/web/20171211180909im_/https://www.canadapost.ca/tools/pg/manual/images/PGdeliverystds-e.10.1.3.jpg)
Exception: If the FSA where your mailing will be deposited or delivered is in a remote area, add up to 9 days. See Table 9 to determine if your FSA is in a remote area.
In order to calculate the estimated delivery standard for this service, simply add the transportation time and the delivery cycle by following these steps:
- Using Table 8, determine the FSA where your mailing will be deposited to find the associated processing facility;
- Using Table 8, determine the FSA where your mailing will be delivered to find the associated processing facility;
- Using Table 6, calculate the transportation time by using the applicable processing facilities identified above;
- Using Table 7, determine the delivery cycle applicable to your mailing and add it to the transportation time.
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Table 6: Neighbourhood Mail™ transportation time Magnify + ![](/web/20171211180909im_/https://www.canadapost.ca/tools/pg/manual/images/Magnifying_Glass.gif) ![](/web/20171211180909im_/https://www.canadapost.ca/tools/pg/manual/images/PGdeliverystds-e.10.1.4.jpg)
Exceptions:
- If the FSA where your mailing will be deposited or delivered is located in a non-major urban centre, add 1 day.
- If the FSA where your mailing will be deposited or delivered is in a remote area, add up to 9 days. See Table 9 to determine if your FSA is in a remote area.
Table 7: Neighbourhood Mail delivery cycle
2.5 | Processing Facilities and Remote Areas for Direct Marketing and Transaction Mail |
There are 18 Canada Post processing facilities where we process Direct Marketing and Transaction Mail. Use the following tables to identify the processing facility and the classification (i.e. whether it is located in a major urban centre, non-major urban centre or remote area) of the FSA where your mailing will be deposited or delivered.
NOTE:
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Postal Code / FSAs that are not included in this table are considered remote/northern areas (see Table 9 for details).
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Table 8: Processing facilities for Direct Marketing and Transaction Mail
Exceptions:
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For A0P, A0R and A2V (transported to the processing facility in Québec QC), add 6 business days to the delivery standard.
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Exceptions apply, some Postal Codes within this FSA are considered as remote/northern area, see Table 9 for a complete list.
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***
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Both above exceptions apply.
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NOTE:
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Pallets and/or monotainers of brick-piled mail destined to a major urban centre FSA are considered “LOCAL” only when they are deposited at the associated processing facility. All other destinations are considered to be “FORWARD”.
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The following table indicates the processing facilities associated with the postal code located in remote areas.
Table 9: Postal codes of remote areas
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Only for Expedited Parcel, Regular Parcel, Publications Mail, Personalized Mail and Postal Code Targeting.
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3 | Transaction Mail (U.S.A and International) | ![to top of page](/web/20171211180909im_/https://www.canadapost.ca/tools/pg/images/blue-back-bullet-up.gif) |
Delivery standards for U.S. and International Transaction Mail are estimates of how long it will take for a mail deposit to be delivered. These delivery standards are not guaranteed. All international mailings will be delivered by and in accordance with the requirements of the destination country.
3.1 | Letter-post (U.S.A. and International) |
The estimated delivery standards for Letter-post (U.S.A. and International) are:
3.2 | International Incentive Letter-post™ |
The estimated delivery standards for International Incentive Letter-post are:
U.S.A. Premium Incentive and U.S.A. Per Item Incentive
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International Premium Incentive/ International Per Item Incentive
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U.S.A. Standard Incentive
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International Standard Incentive
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4 | Parcel Services (Domestic) | ![to top of page](/web/20171211180909im_/https://www.canadapost.ca/tools/pg/images/blue-back-bullet-up.gif) |
Delivery standards for domestic parcels are estimated in Table 10.
Table 10: General delivery standards for domestic Parcel services
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Business days. Some exceptions apply.
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Priority, Xpresspost and Expedited Parcel offer the On-time Delivery Guarantee feature (some exceptions apply, please refer to the General Terms and Conditions for more information). Delivery standards for Regular Parcel are not guaranteed.
Visit Canada Post’s online Canadian Delivery Standard tool at canadapost.ca/deliverytool to find the specific delivery standard from your postal code.
NOTE:
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Expedited Parcel is only available to contract customers.
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There are 21 Canada Post processing facilities across Canada that have been designated to receive and distribute domestic parcels. Table 11 shows to which processing facility all deposits are forwarded.
Table 11: FSAs and their designated processing facilities for domestic Parcel services
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Add 1 day for National Priority service mailings from and to Major Urban Centres.
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For A0P, A0R and A2V (transported to the processing facility in Québec QC for Expedited Parcel and Regular Parcel), add 6 business days to the delivery standard.
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**
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These FSAs are considered non-major urban centres for the Expedited Parcel service.
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For P0T-P0X and P7A-P9N, items can be transported to either the Toronto or Winnipeg processing facilities for the purposes of calculating the most advantageous delivery standard possible.
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In order to calculate the guaranteed delivery standard for Priority™, follow these steps:
- Using Section 1.1 Important definitions, determine whether the item is being sent locally, regionally or nationally.
- Using Table 11, determine whether the item is originating from a major or non-major urban centre and retain the name of the designated processing facility.
- Using Table 11, determine whether the item is addressed to a major or non-major urban centre and retain the name of the designated processing facility.
- Using Table 12: Priority™ delivery standards grid, determine the delivery standard using the nearest point of origin and destination obtained in steps 2 and 3. Adjust the delivery standard as follows:
- If the item is originating from or is addressed to a non-major urban centre (as it was determined in steps 2 or 3) and is a regional or national shipment: add 1 day.
- If the processing facilities identified in steps 2 or 3 are the same and the shipment is not a local shipment: add 1 day.
- If either the originating or destination FSA is non-major, use Table 9: Postal codes of remote areas to determine if either Postal Code is also remote. If the originating or destination Postal Code is remote: add up to 6 days.
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Table 12: Priority™ delivery standards grid Magnify + ![](/web/20171211180909im_/https://www.canadapost.ca/tools/pg/manual/images/Magnifying_Glass.gif) ![](/web/20171211180909im_/https://www.canadapost.ca/tools/pg/manual/images/PGdeliverystds-e.10.1.5.jpg)
4.2 | Xpresspost™ and Xpresspost™ Certified |
In order to calculate the guaranteed delivery standard for Xpresspost or Xpresspost Certified, follow these steps:
- Using Section 1.1 Important definitions, determine whether the item is being sent locally, regionally or nationally.
- Using Table 11, determine whether the item is originating from a major or non-major urban centre and retain the name of the designated processing facility.
- Using Table 11, determine whether the item is addressed to a major or non-major urban centre and retain the name of the designated processing facility.
- Using Table 13: Xpresspost and Xpresspost Certified delivery standards grid, determine the delivery standard using the names of the processing facilities obtained in steps 2 and 3. Adjust the delivery standard as follows:
- If the item is originating from or is addressed to a non-major urban centre (as it was determined in steps 2 or 3) and is a regional or national shipment: add 1 day.
- If the processing facilities identified in steps 2 or 3 are the same and the shipment is not a local shipment: add 1 day.
- If either the originating or destination FSA is non-major, use Table 9: Postal codes of remote areas to determine if either Postal Code is also remote. If the originating or destination Postal Code is remote: add up to 5 days.
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Table 13: Xpresspost and Xpresspost Certified delivery standards grid Magnify + ![](/web/20171211180909im_/https://www.canadapost.ca/tools/pg/manual/images/Magnifying_Glass.gif) ![](/web/20171211180909im_/https://www.canadapost.ca/tools/pg/manual/images/PGdeliverystds-e.10.1.6.jpg)
In order to calculate the guaranteed delivery standard for Expedited Parcel, follow these steps:
- Using Section 1.1 Important definitions, determine whether the item is being sent locally, regionally or nationally.
- Using Table 11, determine whether the item is originating from a major or non-major urban centre and retain the name of the designated processing facility.
- Using Table 11, determine whether the item is addressed to a major or non-major urban centre and retain the name of the designated processing facility.
- Using Table 14: Expedited Parcel delivery standards grid, determine the delivery standard using names of the processing facilities obtained in steps 2 and 3. Adjust the delivery standard as follows:
- If the item is originating from or is addressed to a non-major urban centre (as it was determined in steps 2 or 3) and is a regional or national shipment: add 1 day.
- If the processing facilities identified in steps 2 or 3 are the same and the shipment is not a local shipment: add 1 day.
- If either the originating or destination FSA is non-major, use Table 9: Postal codes of remote areas to determine if either Postal Code is also remote. If the originating or destination Postal Code is remote: add up to 6 days.
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Table 14: Expedited Parcel delivery standards grid Magnify + ![](/web/20171211180909im_/https://www.canadapost.ca/tools/pg/manual/images/Magnifying_Glass.gif) ![](/web/20171211180909im_/https://www.canadapost.ca/tools/pg/manual/images/PGdeliverystds-e.10.1.7.jpg)
In order to calculate the estimated delivery standard for Regular Parcel, follow these steps:
- Using Section 1.1 Important definitions, determine whether the item is being sent locally, regionally or nationally.
- Using Table 11, determine whether the item is originating from a major or non-major urban centre and retain the name of the designated processing facility.
- Using Table 11, determine whether the item is addressed to a major or non-major urban centre and retain the name of the designated processing facility.
- Using Table 15: Regular Parcel delivery standards grid, determine the delivery standard using the names of the processing facilities obtained in steps 2 and 3. Adjust the delivery standard as follows:
- If the item is originating from or is addressed to a non-major urban centre (as it was determined in steps 2 or 3) and is a regional or national shipment: add 1 day.
- If the processing facilities identified in steps 2 or 3 are the same and the shipment is not a local shipment: add 1 day.
- If either the originating or destination FSA is non-major, use Table 9: Postal codes of remote areas to determine if either Postal Code is also remote. If the originating or destination Postal Code is remote: add up to 5 days.
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Table 15: Regular Parcel delivery standards grid Magnify + ![](/web/20171211180909im_/https://www.canadapost.ca/tools/pg/manual/images/Magnifying_Glass.gif) ![](/web/20171211180909im_/https://www.canadapost.ca/tools/pg/manual/images/PGdeliverystds-e.10.1.8.jpg)
5 | Parcel Services (U.S.A. and International) | ![to top of page](/web/20171211180909im_/https://www.canadapost.ca/tools/pg/images/blue-back-bullet-up.gif) |
Delivery standards for the International and U.S. Parcel services are estimates of how long it will take for an item to be delivered.
Delivery standards to the U.S.A.
Delivery standards are only available on the Canada Post website at canadapost.ca/tools/pg/manual/PGservstdsp1-e.asp or by calling Canada Post Customer Service at 1-888-550-6333.
In order to calculate the guaranteed delivery standard for Xpresspost - USA, follow these steps:
- Use Table 16: Transit time - Xpresspost – USA to determine to which of the four processing facilities the shipment will be forwarded based on your originating FSA. Retain the number of additional business days to add to the delivery standard.
- Determine the applicable delivery standard, considering the processing facility determined in step 1, using one of the following tables:
- Add the number of additional business days retained in step 1 to the delivery standard.
NOTE:
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The On-time Delivery Guarantee does not apply to:
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- post office box addresses;
- food items;
- items mailed to U.S. territories and possessions (American Samoa 96799; Wake Island 96898; Guam , Palau, Micronesia, Mariana Islands and Marshall Islands 969);
- United States Army Post Offices (APO's) or military installations (U.S. Military Zips 090-098, 962-966, 340).
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Table 16: Transit time - Xpresspost – USA
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Please verify that your complete postal code does not appear elsewhere in the Transit Time table.
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Table 17: Xpresspost – USA delivery standards to Major U.S. Urban Centres
Table 18: Xpresspost – USA delivery standard to U.S. states
5.3 | Expedited Parcel™ – USA |
In order to calculate the delivery standard for Expedited Parcel - USA, follow these steps:
- Use Table 19: Transit time - Expedited Parcel – USA to determine to which of the three processing facilities the shipment will be forwarded based on your originating FSA. Retain the number of additional business days to add to the delivery standard.
- Determine the applicable delivery standard, considering the processing facility determined in step 1, using one of the following: tables:
- Add the number of additional business days retained in step 1 to the delivery standard.
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Table 19: Transit time - Expedited Parcel – USA
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Please verify that your complete postal code does not appear elsewhere in the Transit Time table.
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Table 20: Expedited Parcel – USA delivery standards to Major U.S. Urban Centres
Table 21: Expedited Parcel – USA delivery standards to U.S. states
Please note that delivery standards for Tracked Packet – USA are expected delivery times and are not guaranteed.
In order to calculate the expected delivery time for Tracked Packet – USA, follow these steps:
- Use Table 22: Transit time - Tracked Packet – USA to determine to which of the four processing facilities you item will be forwarded to based on your originating FSA. Retain the number of additional business days to add to the delivery standard.
- Determine the applicable delivery standard, considering the processing facility determined in step 1, using one of the following:
- Add the number of additional business days retained in step 1 to the delivery standard in step 2.
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Table 22: Transit time - Tracked Packet – USA
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Please verify that your complete postal code does not appear elsewhere in the Transit Time table.
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Table 23: Tracked Packet – USA delivery standards to Major U.S. Urban Centres
Table 24: Tracked Packet – USA delivery standards to U.S. states
The estimated delivery standards to U.S. destinations are:
Delivery standards to an international destination
Delivery standards are only available on the Canada Post website at canadapost.ca/tools/pg/manual/PGservstdsp1-e.asp or by calling Canada Post Customer Service at 1-888-550-6333.
5.7 | Xpresspost™ – International |
In order to calculate the guaranteed delivery standard for Xpresspost-International, follow these steps:
- Use Table 25: Transit time - Xpresspost – International to determine to which of the three processing facilities you item will be forwarded to based on your originating FSA. Retain the number of additional business days to add to the delivery standard. If your FSA* is in the range of P0V-T9X, X0B-X0G and Y0A-Y0B you will need to use the instructions in Section 4.2 to determine the domestic Xpresspost standard between your FSA and the Forward Processing Facility identified. Retain the number of additional business days to add to the delivery standard.
- Determine the applicable delivery standard, considering the processing facility determined in step 1, using Table 26: Xpresspost – International delivery standards to select destinations.
- Add the number of additional business days retained in step 1 to the delivery standard in step 2.
NOTE:
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The On-time Delivery Guarantee applies to all destinations.
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Table 25: Transit time - Xpresspost – International
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Please verify that your complete postal code does not appear elsewhere in the Transit Time table.
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Table 26: Xpresspost – International delivery standards to select destinations
5.8 | Tracked Packet™ – International |
In order to calculate the expected delivery time for Tracked Packet – International, follow these steps:
- Use Table 27: Transit time - Tracked Packet – International to determine to which of the three processing facilities you item will be forwarded to based on your originating FSA. Retain the number of additional business days to add to the delivery standard. If your FSA* is in the range of P0V-T9X, X0B-X0G and Y0A-Y0B you will need to use the instructions in Section 4.2 to determine the domestic Xpresspost standard between your FSA and the Forward Processing Facility identified. Retain the number of additional business days to add to the delivery standard.
- Determine the applicable delivery standard, considering the processing facility determined in step 1, using Table 28: Tracked Packet – International delivery standards.
- Add the number of additional business days retained in step 1 to the delivery standard in step 2.
NOTE:
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Delivery standards for Tracked Packet – International are not guaranteed.
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Table 27: Transit time - Tracked Packet – International
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Please verify that your complete postal code does not appear elsewhere in the Transit Time table.
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Table 28: Tracked Packet – International delivery standards
The estimated delivery standards for International Parcel are:
- International Parcel - Air
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- International Parcel - Surface
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The estimated delivery standard to international destinations are:
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