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. Mail to Canada must bear the complete name and address of both sender and recipient or it will not be allowed into the country. The tighter addressing requirements are in response to increased security. All mail, except post cards, that does not show the complete name and address of sender and recipient is being denied entry.
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.
Mail to France Being Delayed.
French postal workers have been on strike since mid February, 2004. French postal management say they have taken steps to ensure mail deliveries would not be halted; but University Mail Services has experienced some major delays of at least a month. For time sensitive material, consider international service with one of our express carriers (UPS, DHL, FedEx). Although more expensive, express service circumvents the French postal system and provides tracking and accountability.
Questions on any of these issues can be directed to mail services at X43523.
