Parcels to Canada?

Question

About a week or so ago I sent a parcel by airmail to an address in Ontario Canada. It had all the relevant documents attached i.e the recipients address, the Airmail sticker, the postage, the customs sticker and my return address, and this is the way I have always sent parcels not only to Canada but to many other countries and had no problems. However yesterday the parcel was returned to me with a pink sticker CN15 attached saying ' Not admitted to Canada & No sender name in Arabic Numerals and/or Roman letters'....What on earth is all that about???? I put a senders address (but no senders name) but even if I had put my name it wouldn't have been in Arabic Numerals or Roman letters!! Incidentally I also sent a parcel to another person in Canada around the same time using exactly the same format & that one has arrived. Anyone else had this problem..... & who pays for the postage to send it again??

Answer 1

It is clearly using the "or" portion of the "and/or" statement of a sticker they are using that lists out several types of similar issue to Customs. International package have to include and individual or business name. Probably a security thing, but more just related to helping to know who to charge if duty ends up being needed. Sure, probably no duty issues here, but they have set an international standard policy.

Sorry to say, Canada Post specifically says their Limit of Responsibility does not include if items are returned or seized by customs. I assume USPS would have a similar policy. That means you are stuck with the postage and will just have to chalk it up to experience.

Answer 2

If it's coming across the border it MUST have a sender's name on it. Again, if it gets stopped at customs (not all packages do) and it doesn't have a senders name, you'll get it back.

You'll have to put your name on it, put more postage on it yourself and send it back up.

Answer 3

Hand Deliver Man ! Get a donkey for the job!