PrintFOR 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.