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    Overview of changes

    Details on service and price changes for Direct Marketing and Transaction Mail services

    This page provides detailed information about service and price changes that came into effect Jan. 11, 2016. It also provides a recent history of service and price changes, enhancements and other important reminders.

    The information in this "Overview of Changes" is for information purposes only and should not be regarded or relied upon as legal advice or opinion.

    While no substantial changes other than those noted in this Overview of Changes are anticipated, we continue to review and update the Customer Guides.

    Direct Marketing and Transaction Mail Services

    Price and service changes are summarized for the following. Select the service name for details:

    Customer Guides Summary of Changes

    Newly redesigned Customer Guides came into effect January 11, 2016 for Transaction Mail and Direct Marketing services.

    These will make it easier for you to understand and use our services. The content, presented in modules, takes you through the steps required to prepare your mailings: Service Overview, Pricing, Designing (previously Postal Standards Guide), Preparing (previously Mail Preparation and Presortation Guide), Creating an Order, Depositing, and Paying & Terms. You will be able to view and print any module or the entire guide for easy reference.

    Changes to Mail Preparation and Presortation Guides, Postal Standards Guides and General Terms and Conditions

    Mail Preparation and Presortation Guides

    All Mail Preparation and Presortation Guides have been amalgamated into the "Preparing" module of each respective 2016 Customer Guide.

    Postal Standards Guides

    All Postal Standards Guides have been amalgamated into the “Designing” module of each respective 2016 Customer Guide.

    General Terms and Conditions

    Customers mailing with Canada Post must refer to the applicable General Terms and Conditions:

    • For Customers without a Canada Post Standing Offer Agreement, or
    • For Customers with a Canada Post Standing Offer Agreement

    Transaction Mail Services

    Lettermail

    Effective January 11, 2016 – 2016 Lettermail Price Sheet

    Increases previously announced did not proceed pending a Government of Canada review of Canada Post.

    As a result, the 2015 rates for Domestic Lettermail and Domestic Registered Mail will remain in effect for 2016.

    Commercial rates (meter and postal indicia) for Lettermail items weighing over 30 g up to 50 g increased by one cent versus what was previously communicated.

    Refer to the revised 2016 Lettermail Price Sheet for details.

    Lettermail Summary of Changes

    Reminder - Machineable Mail Specifications and Testing

    To meet your delivery expectations, it is important that your items meet our Machineable Mail requirements before depositing your mail.

    While mail creativity is important, certain design elements can affect the machineability and processing of your mail. For instance, if using paper stock that is too thin or using tabs that break, your mailing could be placed on hold at the time of deposit, surcharges may apply or items could be damaged during mail processing. To avoid this issue, we strongly recommend you have your items reviewed or tested prior to deposit.

    You can access our Machineable Mail Self-Assessment Tool online by clicking on the quick links at the bottom of the service you have chosen to use. To access these services go to canadapost.ca/customerguides.

    The self-assessment tool will help you visually determine whether a mail item meets the minimum requirements. While this self-assessment tool can help guide you with your mail design, it does not test the physical elements of your mail (e.g. paper weight, sealing, etc.). To test these elements, we strongly recommend you have your mail tested prior to deposit by contacting our Commercial Service Network at 1-866-757-5480.

     

    Incentive Lettermail

    Effective January 11, 2016 – 2016 Incentive Lettermail Price Sheet

    Since 2010, Lettermail Presort volumes have declined and many customers are shifting from Lettermail Presort to Machineable Lettermail to take advantage of the fewer mail preparation requirements (no sorting or edgemarking needed).

    The Lettermail Presort prices have been aligned to Machineable Lettermail. In January 2017, Lettermail Presort will be discontinued altogether. This change will be applied to both Standard and Oversize categories. Lettermail Presort items already meet Machineable requirements and therefore deposit locations that currently accept your Lettermail Presort mailings will accept your Machineable Lettermail.

    Refer to the 2016 Incentive Lettermail Price Sheet for details.

    Effective January 11, 2016 – 2016 Incentive Lettermail Customer Guide

    Our Guides have been redesigned to make it easier for you to understand and use our services. The content, presented in modules, takes you through the steps required to prepare your mailings: Service Overview, Pricing, Designing (previously Postal Standards Guide), Preparing (previously Mail Preparation and Presortation Guide), Creating an Order, Depositing, and Paying & Terms. You will be able to view and print any module or the entire guide for easy reference.

    The redesigned 2016 version of the Incentive Lettermail Customer Guide was posted here on November 20, 2015.

    Incentive Lettermail Summary of Changes

    Reminder - Machineable Mail Specifications and Testing

    To meet your delivery expectations, it is important that your items meet our Machineable Mail requirements before depositing your mail.

    While mail creativity is important, certain design elements can affect the machineability and processing of your mail. For instance, if using paper stock that is too thin or using tabs that break, your mailing could be placed on hold at the time of deposit, surcharges may apply or items could be damaged during mail processing. To avoid this issue, we strongly recommend you have your items reviewed or tested prior to deposit.

    You can access our Machineable Mail Self-Assessment Tool online by clicking on the quick links at the bottom of the service you have chosen to use. To access these services go to canadapost.ca/customerguides.

    The self-assessment tool will help you visually determine whether a mail item meets the minimum requirements. While this self-assessment tool can help guide you with your mail design, it does not test the physical elements of your mail (e.g. paper weight, sealing, etc.). To test these elements, we strongly recommend you have your mail tested prior to deposit by contacting our Commercial Service Network at 1-866-757-5480.

    Reminder - New option for applying tab/clip seals to Machineable Mail

    Based on customer feedback and after extensive testing, a new tab/clip sealing option is available for Standard Machineable Mail. This new option provides greater flexibility and efficiency. Refer to the tab placement option on self-mailers in the Designing module of the Customer Guide.

    U.S.A. and International Letter-post

    Effective January 11, 2016 – 2016 USA and International Letter-post Price Sheet

    Increases previously announced did not proceed pending a Government of Canada review of Canada Post.

    As a result, the 2015 rates for U.S.A. and International Letter-post items (letters, cards and postcards destined for the United States and other international destinations) remain in effect for 2016.

    Commercial rates (meter and postal indicia) for U.S.A. Letter-post items weighing up to 30 g increased by one cent versus what was previously communicated.

    Refer to the revised 2016 USA and International Letter-post Price Sheet for details.

    Effective January 11, 2016 – 2016 International Incentive Letter-post Customer Guide

    Our Guides have been redesigned to make it easier for you to understand and use our services. The content, presented in modules, takes you through the steps required to prepare your mailings: Service Overview, Pricing, Designing (previously Postal Standards Guide), Preparing (previously Mail Preparation and Presortation Guide), Creating an Order, Depositing, and Paying & Terms. You will be able to view and print any module or the entire guide for easy reference.

    The redesigned 2016 version of the International Incentive Letter-post Customer Guide was posted here on November 20, 2015.

    Direct Marketing Services

    Smartmail Marketing™ and new marketing mail names

    What motivates everyday customer behavior is something marketers are eager to learn, but habits and preferences are changing faster than ever due to a rapidly evolving marketplace. That’s why Canada Post is evolving too, innovating to meet today’s marketing challenges.

    In September 2015 we introduced Smartmail Marketing™, a more intelligent approach to direct mail that brings together three important elements to get your brand into your customer’s hands: physicality, data and connectivity.

    Smartmail Marketing embodies uniquely effective elements in an intelligent approach:

    • Physical mail’s ability to place your brand directly into a consumer’s hands, where it stimulates memory, emotion, and action – as proven by scientific research.
    • Data-driven targeting to make campaigns cost-effective, relevant and meaningful.
    • Connectivity and compatibility with other media, to drive action across touch points.

    In keeping with our renewed commitment to our marketing customers:

    Unaddressed Admail became Neighbourhood Mail™ because it allows marketers to target, reach and activate groups of consumers based on where they live.

    Addressed Admail became Personalized Mail™ to better reflect that the mail piece is meant specifically for the individual.

    These changes are reflected on canadapost.ca, on the Smartmail Marketing landing page, documents such as Customer Guides, Price Sheets, Electronic Shipping Tools, Precision Targeter, invoices, Online Business Centre, etc.

    Personalized Mail

    Effective January 11, 2016 – 2016 Canada Post Personalized Mail (formerly Addressed Admail) Price Sheet

    Price changes were introduced on January 11, 2016.

    Refer to the published 2016 Canada Post Personalized Mail (formerly Addressed Admail) Price Sheet.

    Effective January 11, 2016 – 2016 Canada Post Personalized Mail (formerly Addressed Admail) Customer Guide

    Our Guides have been redesigned to make it easier for you to understand and use our services. The content, presented in modules, takes you through the steps required to prepare your mailings: Service Overview, Pricing, Designing (previously Postal Standards Guide), Preparing (previously Mail Preparation and Presortation Guide), Creating an Order, Depositing, and Paying & Terms. You will be able to view and print any module or the entire guide for easy reference.

    The redesigned 2016 version of the Canada Post Personalized Mail (formerly Addressed Admail) Customer Guide was posted here on November 20, 2015.

    Personalized Mail (formerly Addressed Admail) Summary of Changes

    Reminder - Personalized Mail Indicia Templates

    Personalized Mail indicia templates will be available at canadapost.ca/indicia in early 2016. The new indicia will include a 2D static/generic barcode to help improve the processing of your mail items in our network. As indicated in September, customers will have one year from the date the new indicia are posted online to convert and deplete their old stock.

    When you convert to the new customized indicia you won’t have to resubmit customized indicia artwork that was previously approved.

    Reminder - Machineable Mail Specifications and Testing

    To meet your delivery expectations, it is important that your items meet our Machineable Mail requirements before depositing your mail.

    While mail creativity is important, certain design elements can affect the machineability and processing of your mail. For instance, if using paper stock that is too thin or using tabs that break, your mailing could be placed on hold at the time of deposit, surcharges may apply or items could be damaged during mail processing. To avoid this issue, we strongly recommend you have your items reviewed or tested prior to deposit.

    You can access our Machineable Mail Self-Assessment Tool online by clicking on the quick links at the bottom of the service you have chosen to use. To access these services go to http://www.canadapost.ca/customerguides.

    The self-assessment tool will help you visually determine whether a mail item meets the minimum requirements. While this self-assessment tool can help guide you with your mail design, it does not test the physical elements of your mail (e.g. paper weight, sealing, etc.). To test these elements, we strongly recommend you have your mail tested prior to deposit by contacting our Commercial Service Network at 1-866-757-5480.

    Reminder - New option for applying tab/clip seals to Machineable Mail

    Based on customer feedback and after extensive testing, a new tab/clip sealing option is available for Standard Machineable Mail. This new option provides greater flexibility and efficiency. Refer to the tab placement option on self-mailers in the Designing module of the Customer Guide.

    Reminder - When to Say YES! – That’s Personalized Mail™ (Addressed Admail™) guide

    An updated and refreshed When to say YES! – That’s Personalized Mail™ (Addressed Admail™) guide is available to help you ensure your campaign meets Personalized Mail content qualifications.

    The refreshed guide:

    • Is easier to use thanks to a new format.
    • Offers more guidance to help you determine if a mailing is promotional or non-promotional.
    • Describes more mailing scenarios, including complex categories, with clear rationales.

    Reminder – New Names

    The new names, Smartmail Marketing (formerly Direct Mail) and Personalized Mail (formerly Addressed Admail), will be reflected on canadapost.ca, on the Smartmail Marketing landing page, in documents such as Customer Guides, Price Sheets, Electronic Shipping Tools, invoices, Online Business Centre, etc.

    Neighbourhood Mail (formerly Unaddressed Admail)

    Effective January 11, 2016 – 2016 Canada Post Neighbourhood Mail (formerly Unaddressed Admail) Price Sheet

    The prices for Neighbourhood Mail (formerly Unaddressed Admail) did not increase in 2016 to help this service remain competitive in a demanding advertising market. This will help you achieve a better return on investment from your marketing campaigns.

    For details refer to the published 2016 Canada Post Neighbourhood Mail (formerly Unaddressed Admail) Price Sheet.

    Qualifying customers may have access to lower prices by signing a Standing Offer Agreement. To obtain further details, contact the Commercial Service Network at 1 866 757 5480.

    Effective January 11, 2016 – 2016 Canada Post Neighbourhood Mail (formerly Unaddressed Admail) Customer Guide

    Our Guides have been redesigned to make it easier for you to understand and use our services. The content, presented in modules, takes you through the steps required to prepare your mailings: Service Overview, Pricing, Designing (previously Postal Standards Guide), Preparing (previously Mail Preparation and Presortation Guide), Creating an Order, Depositing, and Paying & Terms. You will be able to view and print any module or the entire guide for easy reference.

    The redesigned 2016 version of the Canada Post Neighbourhood Mail (formerly Unaddressed Admail) Customer Guide was posted here on November 20, 2015.

    Neighbourhood Mail (Unaddressed Admail) Summary of Changes

    Effective January 11, 2016 – Precision Targeter webinars

    Precision Targeter is a free online tool to help you plan and target the best delivery routes to maximize the effectiveness of your campaign. The tool offers a unique combination of householder data and interactive maps to help you get your flyers, postcards or other Neighbourhood Mail items to the right customer.

    FREE Precision Targeter webinars are provided every third Wednesday of the month. Learn from the experts on how to benefit from this tool - register for your webinar session today at canadapost.ca/precisiontargeter. You will receive a confirmation by email with more instructions on how to join the webinar.

    Coming Soon - Discontinuation of Lettertainers as a container option for Neighbourhood Mail

    In 2010, Canada Post introduced Letterflatainers (LFTs) as a new container option. When compared to Lettertainers, they require less space to store, more of them can be placed in a monotainer or pallet and they require less handling given that lids are not required.

    Effective January 11, 2016, LFTs are acceptable containers for Neighbourhood Mail service (subject to availability). Brick-piling and customer supplied containers are still accepted. As we transition to these new containers and deplete our old stock, you may still receive Lettertainers. These containers will be discontinued as of December 31, 2016.

    Reminder - New Names

    The new names, Smartmail Marketing™ and Neighbourhood Mail™, will be reflected on canadapost.ca, on the Smartmail Marketing landing page, in documents such as Customer Guides, Price Sheets, Electronic Shipping Tools, Precision Targeter™, invoices, Online Business Centre, etc.

    Reminder – Partial Mailings instructions

    Neighbourhood Mail™ (Unaddressed Admail™) step-by-step instructions for the preparation of Partial Mailings when using EST online or when using EST 2.0

    Business Reply Mail / International Business Reply Mail

    Effective January 11, 2016 – 2016 Business Reply Mail Price Sheet

    There were price increases to Business Reply Mail™ and International Business Reply Mail effective January 11, 2016, however there was no price increase to the respective annual fees.

    For details refer to the 2016 Business Reply Mail Price Sheet.

    Effective January 11, 2016 – 2016 Business Reply Mail Customer Guide

    Our Guides have been redesigned to make it easier for you to understand and use our services. The content, presented in modules, takes you through the steps required to prepare your mailings: Service Overview, Pricing, Designing (previously Postal Standards Guide), Preparing (previously Mail Preparation and Presortation Guide), Creating an Order, Depositing, and Paying & Terms. You will be able to view and print any module or the entire guide for easy reference.

    The redesigned 2016 version of the Business Reply Mail Customer Guide was posted here on November 20, 2015.

    Publications Mail

    Effective January 11, 2016 – Publications Mail Price Sheet

    Planning and budgeting your Publications Mail will be much easier with only eight price points, reduced from 46 (excluding options). Special Handling (LCP) pricing was consolidated to a single price point. Three weight bands have been amalgamated into one while maintaining flat rates for Special Handling (LCP) items weighing up to 200 g and for Delivery Facility (NDG) Presort items weighing up to 100 g.

    Refer to the 2016 Publications Mail Price Sheet for details.

    Effective January 11, 2016 – 2016 Publications Mail Customer Guide

    Customer guides and other online documents were redesigned so it’s easier to understand and use our services. The content, presented in modules, will take you through the steps required to prepare your mailing. These modules are: Service Overview, Pricing, Designing, Preparing, Creating an Order, Depositing, and Paying & Terms.

    The redesigned 2016 version of the 2016 Publications Mail Customer Guide was posted here on November 20, 2015.

    Publications Mail Summary of Changes

    Effective January 11, 2016

    A new lower $0.10 price point for Samples

    In response to industry feedback on the importance of advertising, we introduced a single and lower price point of $0.10 per sample enclosed in a publication. The weight of the sample must be added to the overall weight of the Publications Mail item when creating your Order. We have also removed the size and weight restrictions on samples enclosed with a publication.

    A 29% price reduction on Standard Machineable Publications Mail

    The Machineable Standard (Short and Long) price was reduced to provide a more cost-effective option.

    Improving Undeliverable Publications Mail (uPM)

    There are many reasons why a Publications Mail item is deemed undeliverable for many reasons. While Canada Post does its best to deliver every item as addressed, it is possible some items may be undeliverable even when the address is valid. The Undeliverable Publications Mail (uPM) fee will no longer be charged on items with a valid address that includes all of the following:

    • Postal CodeOM in the correct format
    • Valid province for the Postal Code
    • Valid address for the Postal Code
    • Valid suite number for the address

    All uPM items will continue to be shown on the uPM customer reports with invalid addresses identified.

    Simplified Delivery Facility (NDG) Presort Regional Rural qualification

    The Delivery Facility (NDG) Presort qualification for Regional Rural was simplified by removing the requirement that at least 50% of the total addressed copies must be either regional or a combination of Local Rural and Regional Rural.

    Changing maximum thickness to 55 mm

    For more effective delivery to apartments and community mailboxes, the maximum thickness has been adjusted to 55 mm for Special Handling (LCP) and Delivery Facility (NDG) Presort Publications Mail items.

    Co-mingling of Publications Mail items

    Different publications are accepted within a mailing, provided the items originate from the same mail owner. The items can differ in size, weight and thickness as long as the largest item is within the size and weight maximums for Publications Mail. Publications from different mail owners can be co-mingled as a co packaged item but must be paid for on a separate Statement of Mailing (SOM).

    Simpler definitions and requirements for enclosures

    Enclosure guidelines will be easier to use with simpler definitions and clear guidance. For example, the cost of enclosures affixed to a publication are included in the item price by simply paying for the incremental weight. Personalized Mail (Addressed Admail) and Lettermail enclosures are accepted and must follow the current co-packaged requirements.

    Reduced minimum volume requirement for Machineable

    The minimum volume required to access Machineable Publications Mail Standard (Short and Long) and Oversize is 500 items, reduced from 1,000.

    Name changes for service categories

    The following mail preparation categories have been renamed:

    • NDG Presort becomes Delivery Facility Presort; NDG Regional is called Regional Rural. There was no change to the mail preparation requirements, but customers using Delivery Facility Presort must ensure container/pallet labels reflect the new name by March 31, 2016.
    • Letter Carrier Presort (LCP) was renamed Special Handling. SERP software was updated to ensure container/pallet labels reflect the new name.
    • Short and Long (S/L) was renamed Standard.

    Statements of Mailing and invoices will reflect these name changes.

    Reminder - Machineable Mail Specifications and Testing

    To meet your delivery expectations, it is important that your items meet our Machineable Mail requirements before depositing your mail.

    While mail creativity is important, certain design elements can affect the machineability and processing of your mail. For instance, if using paper stock that is too thin or using tabs that break, your mailing could be placed on hold at the time of deposit, surcharges may apply or items could be damaged during mail processing. To avoid this issue, we strongly recommend you have your items reviewed or tested prior to deposit.

    You can access our Machineable Mail Self-Assessment Tool online by clicking on the quick links at the bottom of the service you have chosen to use. To access these services go to canadapost.ca/customerguides.

    The self-assessment tool will help you visually determine whether a mail item meets the minimum requirements. While this self-assessment tool can help guide you with your mail design, it does not test the physical elements of your mail (e.g. paper weight, sealing, etc.). To test these elements, we strongly recommend you have your mail tested prior to deposit by contacting our Commercial Service Network at 1-866-757-5480.

    Reminder - New option for applying tab/clip seals to Machineable Mail

    Based on customer feedback and after extensive testing, a new tab/clip sealing option is available for Standard Machineable Mail. This new option provides greater flexibility and efficiency. Refer to the tab placement option on self-mailers in the Designing module of the Customer Guide.

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