Illegal mail

It’s an offence if you use the mail for the delivery of:

• Articles that are obscene, indecent, immoral, or scurrilous
• Information relating to bookmaking, pool-setting, betting, or wagering
• Articles relating to unlawful lottery schemes
• Articles relating to schemes to deceive or defraud the public
• Articles or special messages sent to any person intending to obtain money under false pretenses

It’s also an offence to make false representations on any customs document.

Solicitations by mail

Solicitations that have the general appearance of a bill, invoice, or statement of account must clearly indicate that there’s no obligation to make a payment in relation to the solicitation unless expressly agreed to by the recipient in exchange for clearly specified goods or services. Specific wording and format requirements are detailed in the Solicitations by Mail RegulationsOpens in new tab made under the Canada Post Corporation Act and Regulations.

For convenience, we summarize those requirements below. But you must make sure that you’re complying with the most current requirements by checking the Department of Justice Canada websiteOpens in new tab.

Where a letter or other mailable matter that’s not a bill, invoice or statement of account due is in such a form that it has the general appearance of a bill, invoice or statement of account due, it will have endorsed on its face the following notice:

“THIS IS A SOLICITATION FOR THE ORDER OF GOODS AND/OR SERVICES AND NOT A BILL, INVOICE OR STATEMENT OF ACCOUNT DUE. YOU ARE UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO MAKE ANY PAYMENTS ON ACCOUNT OF THIS OFFER UNLESS YOU ACCEPT THIS OFFER.”

You'll print the notice referred to above in boldface capital letters in such a manner that:

• The print of such notice is no less conspicuous than the print of any other word on the letter or other mailable matter
• The size of the print of such notice isn’t smaller than the larger of the print of any other word on the letter or other mailable matter or 12-point type.

There must be a clear space of not less than 6 mm immediately surrounding the notice referred to above that’s printed on a letter or other mailable matter.

You must print the notice referred to above on a letter or other mailable matter in such a manner that the contrast between the background and the print of that notice isn’t less than the contrast between the background and the print of any other word on the face of the letter or other mailable matter.

No letter or other mailable matter referred to above will state that Canada Post has approved it or that it conforms to any federal statute or regulation.

Controlled items

You can generally mail controlled items, but you must:

• Prepare them properly
• Abide by government regulations
• Meet applicable requirements for mailing

Prohibited items overview

Prohibited items include packages whose contents are:

Flammable & Explosive Materials

• Fireworks
• Lighter fuel / Butane gas
• Gas canisters
• Liquids exceeding regulated alcohol concentration limits
• Flammable nail polish, paint, and similar products

Compressed Gas

• Aerosol sprays (including certain cosmetic products)
• Inflatable gas cartridges
• CO₂ cylinders

Batteries (High Risk)

• Standalone lithium batteries (not installed in equipment)
• Damaged or defective batteries
• Oversized batteries not certified under UN38.3
• ⚠ Lithium battery shipments from Japan to North America are subject to strict aviation inspection.

Corrosive Substances

• Strong acids
• Strong alkalis
• Industrial chemicals

Dangerous goods overview

Dangerous goods, as defined by the Transportation of Dangerous Goods RegulationsOpens in new tab (TDGR), are non-mailable matter. We won’t accept packages that contain dangerous goods or that display dangerous goods symbols, except for lithium batteries described in ABCs of mailing. If any evidence of former hazardous material contents is visible, we can’t accept the package. But in any case, it’s your responsibility to ensure that all markings and labels on a package identify the actual contents.

You can reuse boxes for mail shipments if you’ve removed or completely obliterated all former package markings and labels. Crossing out a label and marking or writing the current contents on a box or package isn’t enough to allow for mailing. You must mark out the former markings and labels completely, even if you wrap the parcel in paper. If the wrapping becomes damaged during shipment, these markings will be visible and we won’t deliver the package.

You can find dangerous goods in everyday items or commodities. See our Transportation of dangerous goods classes and index for details.

If you’re a contract customer or Solutions for Small Business (SfSB) cardholder, an expanded acceptance program is available for:

• Limited quantities
• Excepted quantities
• Lithium batteries

Canada Customs Declaration Requirements

• 01 Accurate Product Description

  All shipments must include a clear and specific product description.

  • ❌ Not acceptable:
    • Gift
    • Sample
    • Accessories
    • Parts
    • General goods
  • ✔ Acceptable examples:
    • Bluetooth wireless earphones
    • 100% cotton men’s T-shirt
    • Plastic phone case
    • Lithium-ion power bank 10000mAh
  • Descriptions must specify:
    • Material
    • Intended use
    • Whether batteries are included
    • Brand name (if applicable)
  • Regulated by Canada Border Services Agency
• 02 True Declared Value

  Declared value must reflect the actual transaction price.

  • Prohibited practices:
    • Under-declaration
    • Artificially splitting shipments
    • Misrepresentation of sales value
  • Non-compliance may result in:
    • Reassessment of duties
    • Additional taxes
    • Administrative penalties
    • Increased inspection risk
• 03 Brand & Intellectual Property

  Brand name must be declared accurately.

  Counterfeit or unauthorized branded goods are strictly prohibited.

  • Enforced by Canada Border Services Agency
  • Violations may result in seizure or destruction of goods.
• 04 Documentation Consistency

  All documents must be consistent:

  • Invoice
  • Shipping label
  • System declaration

  Inconsistent information is a primary cause of inspection.

• ---

  Compliance Notice
  • Canada customs clearance is risk-based and data-driven.
  • Accurate and truthful declaration is mandatory.

U.S. Customs Import Declaration Requirements

• Japan → United States Air Shipment
• 01 Accurate Product Description
  • All shipments entering the United States must include a clear and specific product description.
  • ❌ Not acceptable:
    • Gift
    • Sample
    • Accessories
    • Parts
    • General merchandise
  • ✔ Acceptable examples:
    • Bluetooth wireless earphones
    • 100% cotton men’s T-shirt
    • Plastic mobile phone case
    • Lithium-ion power bank 10000mAh
  • Descriptions must include:
    • Material
    • Intended use
    • Battery presence (if applicable)
    • Brand name (if applicable)
  • Regulated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection
• 02 True Declared Value
  • The declared value must reflect the actual transaction price.
  • Prohibited practices:
    • Under-declaration
    • Artificially lowering value
    • Shipment splitting to avoid duties
  • Non-compliance may result in:
    • Duty reassessment
    • Monetary penalties
    • Cargo hold
    • Increased inspection frequency
  • U.S. customs uses data-driven risk systems.
• 03 FDA / Regulated Products (If Applicable)
  • Certain products require additional compliance:
  • Food & Beverage
    • Regulated by U.S. Food and Drug Administration
  • Cosmetics
    • May require ingredient compliance
  • Medical Devices / Supplements
    • Subject to FDA requirements
• 04 Intellectual Property & Brand Protection
  • The U.S. strictly enforces intellectual property laws.
  • Counterfeit or unauthorized branded goods are prohibited.
  • Enforced by U.S. Customs and Border Protection
  • Violations may lead to seizure and destruction.
• 07 Documentation Consistency
  • All documentation must match:
  • Commercial invoice
  • Shipping label
  • System declaration
  • Inconsistencies increase inspection probability.
• Compliance Notice
  • U.S. customs clearance is risk-based and electronically monitored.
  • Accurate and truthful declaration is mandatory for smooth clearance.