Publications Mail qualifications

Check if your mail piece qualifies for Publications Mail™ postage rates.

What items qualify as Publications Mail?

To qualify as Publications Mail, your publication must meet all of the following requirements:

  • Be in the format of a newspaper, magazine (including magalogues) or newsletter
  • Consist of a single publication or a bundle of the same publication destined to a single address
  • Addressed to a subscriber, non-subscriber or news dealer
  • Published with a regular frequency and at least twice a year (newly launched publications may qualify as Publications Mail even though the frequency of publication is undetermined)
  • Contain news and information intended for public dissemination
  • Contain a maximum of 70% advertising content in more than half of the issues in a 12-month period
  • Be deposited in Canada and addressed to Canadian addresses

What items do not qualify as Publications Mail?

  • Handbooks and manuals, including their amendments
  • Street, telephone or other directories – with some exceptions
  • Catalogues
  • Annual reports

Learn more about Publications Mail or read the Commercial Mail customer guide.

Check mailing qualifications before printing

Avoid higher mailing costs – check to see if your mail piece content qualifies for Publications Mail postage rates.

Submit a sample of your mail piece for review before printing or sending (PDF preferred) by opening a support ticket below.

Open a support ticket