How to Use Canada Post Mail Forwarding Effortlessly
Need to forward your mail with Canada Post Mail Forwarding? Whether you’re moving to a new home, relocating for work, or temporarily away due to travel or renovations, ensuring your mail reaches you without interruption is crucial.
Canada Post Mail Forwarding is designed to make this process simple and reliable, giving you peace of mind during times of change. This article walks you through the entire setup process, costs, and essential details you need to know. By understanding how to use this service effectively, you can avoid missing critical documents, bills, and personal correspondence.
Key Takeaways
- Canada Post’s Mail Forwarding service ensures uninterrupted delivery of mail during relocations, safeguarding important documents and enhancing mail management.
- Setting up the service is straightforward, requiring an online Canada Post account or in-person verification, and accommodates both permanent and temporary relocations.
- Costs for the service vary based on location and duration, with clear options for both personal and business needs, while certain items and mail types are excluded from forwarding.
- The service allows purchasing mail forwarding on behalf of another person or business, with appropriate identification and authorization.
- Changes to the mail forwarding service can be made easily online through a Canada Post account or in person at a post office, providing flexibility to adapt to your needs.
Understanding Canada Post Mail Forwarding
The Canada Post Mail Forwarding service is designed to facilitate the seamless delivery of mail and parcels during relocations. Whether you’re moving permanently or temporarily, this service ensures that your mail reaches your new address without a hitch.
The primary purpose of this service is to help you stay connected by simplifying mail organization and increasing security.
Using the mail forwarding service offers numerous benefits. It provides access to your mail from anywhere, protects your privacy, and improves overall mail management efficiency. Canada Post offers mail forwarding for both permanent and temporary relocations, making it a versatile solution for various situations.
The reassurance that essential documents and personal correspondence will not be lost during a move is invaluable. Canada Post’s mail forwarding service ensures your mail reaches your new address, avoiding potential disruptions and stresses associated with moving.
Steps to Set Up Canada Post Mail Forwarding
Setting up the Canada Post Mail Forwarding service is a straightforward process, whether you choose to do it online or at the post office. If you prefer the convenience of the internet, a Canada Post account is necessary. This account will allow you to manage and purchase the mail forwarding service from the comfort of your home.
When you buy the service online, follow these steps:
- Provide identification.
- If online verification fails, verify your identity at a post office.
- Complete the necessary forms at home or print and fill out the Mail Forwarding form before visiting the post office to expedite the process.
Once everything is set up, Canada Post will begin forwarding your mail to your new address, ensuring you continue receiving mail without interruption. This service is a great way to maintain continuity and avoid missing important documents during your relocation.
💡Also Read: What is Canada Mail Forwarding Service?
Cost of Canada Post Mail Forwarding Service
The cost of the Canada Post Mail Forwarding service varies based on several factors, including the type of relocation and the destination. For residential mail forwarding within the same province for a 12-month period, the cost is CAD 98.00. This fee ensures that all your important documents and correspondence are forwarded seamlessly to your new address.
If you’re relocating to the U.S., the cost for a 12-month mail forwarding service is CAD 283.50. For temporary relocations, the cost is CAD 60.00 for three months within the same province. Additionally, there is an extra fee of CAD 5.00 per name for including more than four residents in the residential mail forwarding service.
For businesses, the cost structure varies based on the volume of mail being forwarded and the duration of the service. The minimum service duration for business mail forwarding is one month. Forwarding up to 1000 pieces within the same province for 12 months costs CAD 302.75.
Canada Post Mail Forwarding Service Pricing Table
| Service Type | Duration | Location | Cost (CAD) | Additional Fees |
| Residential Forwarding | 12 months | Same Province | 98.00 | $5.00 per name for over 4 residents |
| Residential Forwarding | 3 months | Same Province (Temporary) | 60.00 | $5.00 per name for over 4 residents |
| Residential Forwarding | 12 months | United States | 283.50 | $5.00 per name for over 4 residents |
| Business Forwarding | 12 months | Same Province (up to 1000 pieces) | 302.75 | Minimum 1 month service duration |
Businesses anticipating a high volume of mail can opt for specialized forwarding services to manage their communications effectively. Planning for these costs can help you budget for the mail forwarding service, ensuring uninterrupted receipt of important mail.
Duration Options for Mail Forwarding
When it comes to the duration of mail forwarding, Canada Post offers flexible options to suit different needs. For those undergoing a permanent move, a 12-month mail forwarding period is recommended to ensure that you don’t miss any important mail during the transition. This duration provides ample time to update your address with various institutions and contacts.
For temporary relocation, the mail forwarding service can be set for any duration up to 12 months. During a temporary job assignment, extended vacation, or home renovations, choose the length of service that fits your needs. A four-month option is also available for short-term protection against mail delivered to an old address.
If you need to extend your mail forwarding service early, you can do so before the initial service period expires. Additionally, you can change the start date of your service before it begins, though extending it will incur additional fees. These flexible options ensure that you can tailor the service to your specific situation.
💡Also Read: Canada Post Address Change: What You Need to Know
Items Not Forwarded by Canada Post
While Canada Post’s mail forwarding service is comprehensive, there are certain items that it does not forward. For instance, parcels sent via services like Priority™, Xpresspost™, or Expedited Parcel™ are excluded from mail forwarding. Prepaid envelopes and newspapers delivered by outside sources also fall into this category.
Mail forwarding rules include:
- Mail addressed to business or institutional addresses, such as hotels or hospitals, is not forwarded.
- Mail sent through a privately managed mailbox service is not eligible for forwarding.
- If a mail item is marked with a ‘Do not forward’ label, it will be returned to the sender.
Notify mail senders of your new address if you expect deliveries while using the mail forwarding service. Please note that by keeping these limitations in mind, you can better manage your expectations and ensure that important items reach you without any issues.
💡Also Read: Canada Post Hold Mail: What Is It & How Much It Cost?
Purchasing Mail Forwarding for Someone Else
Purchasing mail forwarding for someone else is entirely possible and can be done either online or at a post office. When buying the service online, you must fill out a form specifying the mail to be forwarded and present a legal document that allows you to act on behalf of another person. This ensures that you have the authority to manage their mail.
At the post office, show your government-issued photo ID and documentation proving your permission to act on their behalf to purchase mail forwarding for someone else. This ensures the mail reaches the intended recipient without legal complications.
Modifying Your Mail Forwarding Service
There may be times when you need to modify your mail forwarding service. Canada Post provides two main methods to make such changes: online and in-person.
The flexibility to adjust your service ensures your mail continues to reach you without interruption.
Online Changes
To modify your mail forwarding service online:
- Log into your Canada Post account.
- Navigate to the ‘Manage Mail Forwarding’ section.
- View all your orders.
- Make the necessary changes to your service.
This convenient method allows you to manage your mail forwarding details from anywhere.
In-Person Changes
If you prefer to make changes in person, visit your nearest post office with your government-issued photo ID and reference number to sign. The staff will assist you in modifying your personal mail forwarding service to meet your current needs.
This ensures your request changes are processed accurately and promptly.
Handling Delays and Strikes
During rotating strikes, Canada Post will still process and deliver in unaffected areas mail in areas not affected by the strikes, but customers should anticipate delays. These strikes can cause longer processing times for mail and parcels trapped in the network, leading to disruptions in service.
Rotating strikes and targeted attacks affect specific locations for defined periods, creating uncertainty in mail delivery. Customers will experience delays and are advised to plan accordingly and stay informed about the latest information, including areas affected by Canada Post, to mitigate the impact of these disruptions.
💡Also Read: How to Send Important Documents By Mail Securely
Special Considerations for Businesses
Businesses have unique needs when it comes to mail forwarding. Set up mail forwarding well in advance of a move to avoid disruptions in receiving critical communications. Informing Canada Post of your new address ensures that all mail is redirected correctly during the transition period.
Additionally, businesses should maintain updated contact information with clients and suppliers to minimize confusion while mail is being forwarded. This approach helps manage expectations and maintain continuity in business moving operations.
How Can PostGrid's Print & Mail API Help to Manage Mail Remotely?
Canada Post’s mail forwarding service offers a reliable and efficient way to manage your mail during relocations. To further streamline mail management, PostGrid’s Print & Mail API can be a valuable tool. This API automates the printing and mailing process, allowing businesses and individuals to send physical mail seamlessly without manual intervention. By integrating our API, you can ensure the timely dispatch of essential documents and correspondence directly to your or your customers’ current address, reducing reliance on traditional forwarding delays.
Whether you’re moving permanently, temporarily, or managing mail for others, combining Canada Post’s mail forwarding service with PostGrid’s API provides enhanced flexibility, security, and efficiency. Embrace this modern solution to simplify your mail handling and make your next move or mail management experience as smooth and seamless as possible.
Sign up now to automate your mailings.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Set up Canada Post Mail Forwarding Online?
To set up Canada Post Mail Forwarding online, you must first log in to your Canada Post account, then navigate to ‘Manage Mail Forwarding’ and follow the prompts to finalize your purchase.
What Items Are Not Forwarded by Canada Post?
Canada Post does not forward parcels sent via Priority™, Xpresspost™, or Expedited Parcel™, as well as prepaid envelopes, outside-source newspapers, and mail addressed to businesses or institutions.
Can I Purchase Mail Forwarding for Someone Else?
Yes, you can purchase mail forwarding for someone else, but you must provide a government-issued photo ID and documentation demonstrating your authority to act on their behalf.
How Can I Modify My Mail Forwarding Service?
You can easily modify your mail forwarding service online via your Canada Post account or by visiting a post office with your reference number and identification. This ensures that your mail forwarding preferences are updated efficiently.
What Should I Do During Postal Strikes?
During postal strikes, it is advisable to stay informed about the latest updates from Canada Post and to plan accordingly to mitigate any disruptions in mail processing and delivery. This proactive approach will help you manage your postal needs effectively.
