U.S. to Enforce Rules for Mail to Canada (Why that birthday card from Grandma is a tool of Al-Qaeda)

Associated Press ^ | October 20, 2004

[Dont Mention the War]

Posted on Wed, Oct. 20, 2004

U.S. to Enforce Rules for Mail to Canada

WASHINGTON (AP) - Most mail to Canada must bear the complete name and address of both sender and recipient or it won't be allowed into the country, the U.S. Postal Service said Wednesday. The tighter addressing requirements are in response to increased security.

Even such sender or recipient identifications as "Grandma" or "Aunt Ruth" can result in mail being rejected, the agency said.

All mail, except post cards, that does not show the complete name and address of sender and recipient - in Roman letters and Arabic numerals - is being denied entry.

Canada Post spokesman John Caines said that Canadian customs officials have become increasingly vigilant about enforcing the requirement that all international mail have a complete address for both the sender and recipient.

U.S. postal officials said addresses on mail to Canada should be printed in ink or typewritten in capital letters, and the last line of the address must show only the country name, written in full, and in capital letters. When a Canadian postal delivery zone number is included in the address, mailing requirements allow that number to appear as the last line of the address.

Mailers must also fill out necessary customs forms specifying the contents of parcels. General descriptions such as "gift" or "present" are not acceptable.

U.S. officials said Canadian Customs offices are reporting a backlog of incoming postal items with incomplete or inaccurate information. Canadian officials say these items will be returned to their points of origin as soon as practical.

Mail enters Canada at three points, Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver. Caines said the Vancouver office is experiencing a backlog of parcels which have been help up because of staffing problems.

[Dont Mention the War]

Just to make it clear: This stupid rule is from Canada, not the USPS.

[Dont Mention the War]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Media Relations 202-268-2155
October 20, 2004
News Release No. 04-069
www.usps.com

Marking it 'Not Admitted':
CANADIAN OFFICIALS STRICTLY ENFORCE CUSTOMS, ADDRESSING REQUIREMENTS FOR INBOUND INTERNATIONAL MAIL

WASHINGTON, DC -- The U.S. Postal Service is alerting customers mailing items to Canada they must comply with strict Canadian Customs and postal administration addressing requirements.

All postal items (except postcards) that do not display the complete name and address of both the sender and the recipient -- in roman letters (A, B, C) and Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3) -- are being denied entry into Canada. Sender or recipient identification such as "Grandma" or "Aunt Ruth" are not acceptable and are among the causes of mail being returned.

According to Canadian officials, this action is pursuant to the Canada Customs Act and reflects heightened security measures.

Accordingly, addresses to recipients in Canada should be printed in ink or typewritten in capital letters, and the last line of the address must show only the country name, written in full, and in capital letters. When a Canadian postal delivery zone number is included in the address, mailing requirements allow that number to appear as the last line of the address.

Customers also are reminded that complete and legible customs declarations -- along with required import documentation -- must be provided to specifically identify the contents of any package. General descriptions such as "gift" or "present" are not acceptable.

Canadian Customs offices report a backlog of incoming postal items containing incomplete or inaccurate information. According to Canadian officials, these items eventually will be returned to their points of origin for correction by the sender as soon as practical.

[confused1]

Great Example of not to send anything to Canada. I sent my son a package two weeks in advance of his birthday. The box was clearly marked "gift," "happy birthday," and the USPS label clearly was marked "gift." It arrived a week late and he was required to pay GST, PST, Excise, Transport, and Import fees to pick it up. The fees were more than the total cost of the gift! He was told he could apply for a refund if the Customs guys made a mistake. What a screwed up country! Bunch of hosers, eh?!

[frankenMonkey]

guess that also rules out:

Santa Claus
North Pole