CANADA POST CORPORATION ACTLetter Mail RegulationsRegulations Respecting Letter MailP.C.1988-169719888
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Whereas a copy of proposed Regulations respecting first class mail, substantially in the form annexed hereto, was published in the Canada Gazette Part I on May 14, 1988 and a reasonable opportunity was thereby afforded to interested persons to make representations to the Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs with respect thereto;Therefore, Her Excellency the Governor General in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs, pursuant to subsection 17(1) of the Canada Post Corporation Act*, is pleased hereby to approve the revocation of the Domestic First Class Mail Regulations, C.R.C., c. 1278, and to approve the annexed Regulations respecting first class mail, made by the Canada Post Corporation, effective January 1, 1989.S.C.1980-81-82-83, c. 54SHORT TITLEThese Regulations may be cited as the Letter Mail Regulations.
SOR/90-801, s. 2;
SOR/2003-382, s. 21(F).
INTERPRETATIONIn these Regulations,carbonizing[Repealed, SOR/91-625, s. 1]delivery mode[Repealed, SOR/90-13, s. 1]delivery mode scheme[Repealed, SOR/90-13, s. 1]domestic basic letter rate means the standard domestic letter rate available generally to the public for standard mail weighing up to 30 g; (tarif de base des lettres du régime intérieur)first class mail[Repealed, SOR/90-801, s. 3]foldover construction self-mailer[Repealed, SOR/91-625, s. 1]forward sortation area[Repealed, SOR/90-13, s. 1]frequent posting[Repealed, SOR/90-13, s. 1]identical items[Repealed, SOR/90-13, s. 1]infrequent posting[Repealed, SOR/90-13, s. 1]letter mail meansa letter, card, postcard or similar communication,a receipt, invoice or similar article of a financial nature, andany other article the sender chooses to post at a rate for letter mailthat is posted in Canada for delivery in Canada and meets the requirements of these Regulations; (envoi poste-lettres)local delivery unit[Repealed, SOR/90-13, s. 1]multi-web construction self-mailer[Repealed, SOR/91-625, s. 1]optical character reader or OCR[Repealed, SOR/90-13, s. 1]postal code[Repealed, SOR/90-13, s. 1]reduced consumer price index factor[Repealed, SOR/2009-286, s. 1]rural forward sortation area[Repealed, SOR/90-13, s. 1]self-mailer means any article, other than a card, postcard, magazine or catalogue, that does not have an outer cover, wrapping or envelope in addition to the paper or other material on which the written communication is placed; (envoi à découvert)single posting[Repealed, SOR/90-13, s. 1]urban forward sortation area[Repealed, SOR/90-13, s. 1]
SOR/88-613, s. 1;
SOR/90-13, s. 1;
SOR/90-801, s. 3;
SOR/91-625, s. 1;
SOR/96-448, s. 1;
SOR/2000-221, s. 1;
SOR/2003-382, ss. 19(E), 21(F);
SOR/2009-286, s. 1.
Previous VersionRATES OF POSTAGEThe rates set out in subitem 1(1) of the schedule apply to an item of letter mail that meets the applicable requirements for standard mail.[Repealed, SOR/2004-294, s. 1]The rates set out in item 2 of the schedule apply to an item of letter mail other than an item referred to in subsections (1) and (8).[Repealed, SOR/2009-286, s. 2]The rate set out in item 3 of the schedule applies to an item of letter mail other than an item referred to in subsections (1) and (3).
SOR/88-613, s. 2;
SOR/90-801, s. 4;
SOR/91-625, s. 2;
SOR/2000-221, s. 2;
SOR/2001-178, s. 1;
SOR/2001-443, s. 1;
SOR/2003-382, s. 21(F);
SOR/2004-294, s. 1;
SOR/2009-5, s. 1;
SOR/2009-141, s. 1;
SOR/2009-286, s. 2.
Previous Version[Repealed, SOR/91-636, s. 1]GENERAL CONDITIONSEvery item of letter mail shall be securely wrapped with sufficient cushioning and reinforcing material as required to prevent loss of or damage to the item, damage to postal equipment or other mail and injury to persons handling the item.Every envelope or self-mailer shall be sealed except an item referred to in item 2 of the schedule.
SOR/90-801, s. 5;
SOR/91-625, s. 3;
SOR/2003-382, s. 21(F).
Nothing shall appear on the right side of the face of a postcard exceptthe name and address of the addressee;the applicable postage stamp; andsuch postal endorsement or label as is necessary to facilitate delivery of the postcard.Every item of letter mail referred to in subsection 3(8) must meet the following conditions:it must be rectangular in shape and have a minimum length to width ratio of 1.4:1;the address of the addressee must appear on the front of the item and be locatednot less than 40 mm from the top edge,not less than 15 mm from the bottom edge,not less than 15 mm from the left and right edges, andnot more than 140 mm from the right edge;if the envelope of the item has an address window,the address window must be rectangular in shape and the greatest dimension of the window must be parallel to the length of the envelope,the address window must be covered with transparent material that is firmly glued down around the inside perimeter of the address window and that allows the address to be easily read by a person or an optical character reader,the address window must be located on the side of the envelope that does not have a closing flap,the address window must be located not less than 40 mm from the top edge and not less than 15 mm from the bottom, left and right edges,the complete address of the addressee must be clearly visible through the address window at all times, andthe address window must not be bordered by a coloured band or frame;the postage stamp must be located on the front of the item in the upper right corner not more than 40 mm from the top edge and not more than 74 mm from the right edge;if a return address, service indications or delivery instructions are marked on the item, they must be located on the front of the item in the upper left corner not less than 45 mm from the bottom edge; andany graphics or other printing must not be located below the address or address window or in the area to the left or right of the address or address window running from, as the case may be, the top of the address window or first line of the address to the bottom edge of the item.An item of letter mail referred to in subsection 3(8) must not be accepted for transmission by post ifit consists of a punched card, folded card or folded item that is not enclosed in an envelope;it is closed by means of staples, metal eyelets or hook fastenings; orit is enclosed in material other than paper.
SOR/2010-281, s. 1.
Previous VersionSTANDARD MAILThe following articles shall not be enclosed in an item of standard mail, namely,bottle caps;coins;foodstuffs;glass;jewellery;keys;liquids;pencils;pens;powders;seeds; andany other articles that are fragile or perishable, can soil or damage other mail or postal equipment or can cause injury to persons handling them.An item of mailable matter shall not be accepted for transmission by post as standard mail ifa staple is attached to the outer cover;it has a pin-feed hole strip attached thereto when in the form of a self-mailer; orit consists of a punched or perforated card that is not enclosed in an envelope.
SOR/90-13, s. 3(F);
SOR/2000-199, s. 28.
An item of standard mail shall be rectangular in shape and have a minimum length to width ratio of 1.3:1 and a maximum length to width ratio of 2.6:1.[Repealed, SOR/90-13, s. 4]
SOR/90-13, s. 4;
SOR/95-306, s. 1.
An item of standard mail, when supported by two level supports located 10 mm from the left and right edges of the item, shall not sag more than 22 mm from its horizontal plane.
SOR/2009-287, s. 1.
Previous VersionEvery item of standard mail bearing a postage meter impression or a postage-paid-in-cash impression shall bear the delivery address of the addressee, including the applicable postal code for that address.Subject to subsection (3), the address of the addressee shall appear on the front of every item of standard mail and be located not less than40 mm from the top edge;19 mm from the bottom edge; and15 mm from the left and right edges.Paragraph (2)(b) shall not apply in respect of an item of standard mail that bears a postage stamp other than a postage meter or postage-paid-in-cash impression.The postal code on an item referred to in subsection (1) shall be locatednot less than 19 mm from the bottom edge;not less than 40 mm from the top edge;not less than 15 mm from the left and right edges; andon the last line of the address, or shall follow all other address particulars on the last line of the address if the postal code is separated from those address particulars by at least two character spaces.[Repealed, SOR/90-801, s. 6]
SOR/90-801, s. 6;
SOR/91-625, s. 4;
SOR/2006-342, s. 1.
Previous VersionWhere the envelope of an item of standard mail has an address window, the address window shall berectangular in shape with the greatest dimension of the window parallel to the length of the envelope;covered with transparent material that allows the address to be easily read by a person or an optical character reader; and[Repealed, SOR/2009-287, s. 2]located not less than 40 mm from the top edge, 19 mm from the bottom edge and 15 mm from the left and right edges of the item.The complete address of the addressee shall be clearly visible through the address window of an item referred to in subsection (1).An auxiliary window on an envelope referred to in subsection (1) shall be covered with transparent material andwhere it is located on the front of the envelope, shall be located not less than 45 mm from the bottom edge and 15 mm from the left and right edges and shall be outside the area prescribed in section 13 for the postage meter or postage-paid-in-cash impression;where it is located on the back of the envelope, shall be located not less than 15 mm from the top and bottom edges and 15 mm from the left and right edges.No more than one auxiliary window may be located on the front or back of an envelope referred to in subsection (1).
SOR/2009-287, s. 2.
Previous VersionThe postage meter or postage-paid-in-cash impression on an item of standard mail shall be located on the front of the item in the upper right corner not more than 40 mm from the top edge and 74 mm from the right edge.Where a postage stamp other than one referred to in subsection (1) is affixed to an item of standard mail, it shall be located on the front of the item in the upper right corner.Where, on an item of standard mail that bears a postage meter or postage-paid-in-cash impression, a return address, service indications or delivery instructions are marked thereon, they shall be located on the front of the item in the upper left corner not less than 45 mm from the bottom edge.A form number may be printed on the front of an item of standard mail if it is located not more than 6 mm from the bottom.On an item of standard mail, graphics or other printing shall not bebelow and to the right of an address or address window;less than 19 mm from the bottom of the front of the item; andin the area prescribed by section 13 for the postage.
SOR/90-13, s. 5(F);
SOR/2009-287, s. 3.
Previous Version[Repealed, SOR/90-13, s. 6][Repealed, SOR/88-613, s. 4]SIZE AND WEIGHTNo item of letter mail shallexceed 380 mm in length, 270 mm in width or 20 mm in thickness; orbe less than 140 mm in length, 90 mm in width or 0.18 mm in thickness.No item of standard mail shall exceedin the case of a card or a postcard, 235 mm in length and 120 mm in width; orin any other case, 245 mm in length, 156 mm in width or 5 mm in thickness.[Repealed, SOR/90-13, s. 7]
SOR/88-613, s. 5;
SOR/90-13, s. 7;
SOR/90-801, s. 7;
SOR/96-448, s. 2;
SOR/2003-382, s. 20.
A card or postcard shall be made of cardboard or of any other material commonly used in printing that is of sufficient grammage to provide the stiffness necessary for the card or postcard to withstand processing without difficulty.
SOR/96-448, s. 3.
The maximum weight for an item of letter mail isin the case of an item of standard mail referred to in item 1 of the schedule, 50 g; andin any other case, 500 g.
SOR/88-613, s. 6;
SOR/90-13, s. 8;
SOR/90-801, s. 8;
SOR/91-625, s. 5;
SOR/2003-382, s. 21(F);
SOR/2004-294, s. 2.
The minimum weight for an item of standard mail in the form of a self-mailer is 3 g.
SOR/2009-287, s. 4.
Previous Version[Repealed, SOR/91-625, s. 6][Repealed, SOR/88-613, s. 7](Section 3)
RATES OF POSTAGE — LETTER MAIL
Column IColumn IIItemDescriptionRate1.Letter mail not more than 245 mm in length, 156 mm in width or 5 mm in thickness(1) Letter mail not more than 245 mm in length, 156 mm in width or 5 mm in thickness30 g or lessas of January 11, 2010, $0.57as of January 17, 2011, $0.59as of January 16, 2012, $0.61as of January 14, 2013, $0.63as of January 13, 2014, $0.65more than 30 g but not more than 50 g$1.10(2) [Repealed, SOR/2004-294, s. 3]2.Letter mail other than letter mail referred to in item 1 and item 3(1) 100 g or less$1.34(2) more than 100 g but not more than 200 g$2.20(3) more than 200 g but not more than 300 g$3.05(4) more than 300 g but not more than 400 g$3.50(5) more than 400 g but not more than 500 g$3.753.Letter mail referred to in subsection 3(8) of these Regulations that is not more than 235 mm in length, 165 mm in width or 5 mm in thickness(1) 20 g or less$1.10(2) more than 20 g but not more than 50 g$1.26
SOR/88-613, s. 8;
SOR/90-13, s. 9;
SOR/90-801, s. 9;
SOR/91-625, ss. 7, 8;
SOR/92-696, ss. 1, 2;
SOR/94-197, ss. 1, 2;
SOR/95-305, s. 1;
SOR/95-306, ss. 2, 3;
SOR/98-554, s. 1;
SOR/98-555, ss. 1, 2;
SOR/2000-221, s. 3;
SOR/2000-377, ss. 1, 2;
SOR/2001-444, ss. 1, 2;
SOR/2003-375, ss. 1, 2;
SOR/2003-382, ss. 21(F), 22;
SOR/2004-294, ss. 3, 4;
SOR/2005-358, ss. 1, 2;
SOR/2006-342, ss. 2, 3;
SOR/2007-295, ss. 1, 2;
SOR/2009-13, ss. 1, 2;
SOR/2009-141, ss. 2, 3;
SOR/2009-286, s. 3;
SOR/2009-287, ss. 5 to 7;
SOR/2009-335, s. 2(F);
SOR/2010-281, ss. 2 to 4;
SOR/2011-296, ss. 1 to 3;
SOR/2012-275, ss. 1 to 3.
Previous Version[Repealed, SOR/90-13, s. 9][Repealed, SOR/88-613, s. 9]