1. technology and computing
2. software

Mail Preparation and
Presortation Guide
LETTER CARRIER PRESORT
•
Addressed Admail™:
Ì
•
Short and Long (S/L), Oversize (O/S) and Dimensional (Small and Large)
Publications Mail™:
Ì
Short and Long (S/L) and Oversize (O/S)
Effective January 13, 2014
™
Trade-mark of Canada Post Corporation.
canadapost.ca/mailpreparation
OM
Official mark of Canada Post Corporation.
T455426
Mail Preparation and Presortation Guide – Letter Carrier Presort
IMPORTANT UPDATES
Any description of change is provided for reference and convenience purposes only. The
description of change does not form part of the Agreement between the Customer and Canada
Post.
Customers should ensure they are using the most current version of the Mail Preparation and Presortation Guide,
including all amendments and other applicable documents, which are posted on the Canada Post website. See in
particular, canadapost.ca/postalservices for key documents.
Important Updates:
DESCRIPTION OF CHANGE
Revision v1.1
LOCATION
Posted on February 24, 2014
Addition of CDC Level 3 to deposit location types.
Amendment v1.0
Effective on February 24, 2014
Section 4.1 “Deposit location types”
Posted on November 15, 2013
Introduced a non-transmitted Order surcharge.
Effective on January 13, 2014
Section 2.3 “Creating Orders (Statements of Mailing)”
Eliminated the requirement to include the word Forward (FWD) on Throughout document.
Residue bundle, container and shipping unit labels.
Reminder of 2013 Updates:
DESCRIPTION OF CHANGE
Revision v1.2
LOCATION
Posted on April 10, 2013
Effective on June 14, 2013
The 2D barcode label is now available through your SERP
recognized presortation software.
Throughout document.
Introduced Letterflatainer (LFT) as an acceptable container.
Section 2.2.1.1
Section 5.1
NOTE:
This amendment updates the June 14, 2013 version 1.2 guide.
When there is an amendment or a revision to the document, the version number will be modified as follows:
•
an amendment increases the first digit in the version (e.g., version 2.0, 3.0)
•
a revision increases the second digit in the version (e.g., version 1.1, 1.2)
•
the version number restarts at 1.0 every January of a given year.
January 13, 2014
Version 1.1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Letter Carrier Presort . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.1
Who should use this Guide? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.2
What is Letter Carrier Presort (LCP)? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.3
Key requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1
1
1
1
2
Before You Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.1
Presort elements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.1.1 Software Evaluation Recognition Program (SERP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.1.2 Postal Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.1.3 Delivery Mode Code (DMC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.1.3.1
Placement of Delivery Mode Code (DMC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.1.4 National Presortation Schematic (NPS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.2
Containerization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.2.1 Acceptable containers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.2.1.1
Acceptable Canada Post-supplied containers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.2.1.2
Acceptable customer-supplied cardboard containers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.2.2 Acceptable shipping units (monotainers and pallets) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.3
Creating Orders (Statements of Mailing) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2
2
2
2
3
3
4
5
5
5
6
7
8
3
Mail Preparation and Presortation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3.1
Grouping mail items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
3.1.1 Levels of groupings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
3.1.2 Separating groupings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
3.1.3 Identifying DCF, FCP and Residue groupings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
3.2
Placing groupings in containers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
3.2.1 Levels of containers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
3.2.2 Filling containers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
3.2.3 Preserving integrity of mail preparation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
3.2.4 Labelling containers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
3.2.4.1
Labelling containers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
3.3
Placing containers into shipping units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
3.3.1 Levels of shipping units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
3.3.2 Filling shipping units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
3.3.3 Securing pallets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
3.3.4 Labelling shipping units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
3.4
Summary of mail preparation and presortation process. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
4
Deposit Sites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
4.1
Deposit location types. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
4.2
Maximum volume acceptable per day, by deposit location type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
5
Additional Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
5.1
Do-it-yourself checklist for preparing Letter Carrier Presort (LCP) mailings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
5.2
Other Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Mail Preparation and Presortation Guide
Version 1.1 Page i
January 13, 2014
LETTER CARRIER PRESORT
1
OVERVIEW
1.1
Who should use this Guide?
This guide explains how to prepare Letter Carrier Presort (LCP) mailings using presortation software for the
following services:
•
Addressed Admail™: Short and Long (S/L), Oversize (O/S) and Dimensional (Small and Large)
•
Publications Mail™: Short and Long (S/L) and Oversize (O/S)
Please ensure you are using the most recent version of this guide and other support documents that detail our
requirements, qualifications, terms and conditions, and pricing. These documents are available online at
canadapost.ca/postalservices.
It is your obligation to meet all the requirements outlined in your Customer Agreement.
NOTE 1: Some words and expressions used in this document have a specific meaning. Please refer to Section 1
"Definitions" of the General Terms and Conditions for the definition of specific terms referenced
throughout this document and the Agreement.
2: The figures in this document are used for illustration only.
3: If developers of presortation software find any discrepancy between this guide and the Presortation
Technical Specifications (PTS), the information in the PTS takes precedence.
1.2
What is Letter Carrier Presort (LCP)?
Letter Carrier Presort (LCP) is a mail preparation and presortation option that allows mailers to sort their mail
items to specific letter carrier walks (or other delivery routes) using presortation software recognized by Canada
Post. When you prepare and presort mail to meet our specifications, your mail will bypass various processing
steps and mail distribution facilities within our network.
1.3
Key requirements
To qualify for the Letter Carrier Presort (LCP) option, your mailings must:
•
consist of items that meet the requirements specified in the applicable Canada Post's Non-machineable
Postal Standards guide
•
be presorted using presortation software recognized by Canada Post
•
be accompanied by Orders (Statements of Mailing) prepared, transmitted electronically and submitted using
Canada Post's Electronic Shipping Tools (EST)
•
consist of at least 1,000 items* per Order (Statement of Mailing)
•
be deposited in Canada for delivery in Canada
•
meet all requirements and qualifications specified in your Customer Agreement and the applicable Customer
Guide.
*
You may deposit less than the minimum volume provided you pay the applicable phantom price. The phantom price is only
available for single deposits - it is not available on partial mailings.
Mail Preparation and Presortation Guide
Version 1.1 Page 1
January 13, 2014
Mail Preparation and Presortation Guide – Letter Carrier Presort
2
BEFORE YOU START
As the name suggests, Letter Carrier Presort (LCP) mail must be presorted to specific letter carrier walks (or other
delivery routes). Here's what that means:
2.1
Presort elements
Mail Presortation is the process of sorting and grouping mail items bound for a common destination. Mail
presortation is based on the National Presortation Schematic (NPS) and is performed using presortation software
recognized by Canada Post. The software does the following:
•
•
sorts mail items:
Ì
by their Postal CodeOM, and
Ì
according to the delivery route identified by the Delivery Mode Code (DMC)
groups mail items by a common destination according to the NPS.
Mail Preparation is the process of preparing containers and shipping units for a common destination. It involves
labelling groupings, containers and shipping units in such a way that Canada Post can bypass various processing
steps and facilities within its mail distribution network.
2.1.1
SOFTWARE EVALUATION RECOGNITION PROGRAM (SERP)
Our Software Evaluation and Recognition Program (SERP) exists to evaluate the accuracy of presortation software
programs. Those we recognize as acceptable appear on our website in a regularly updated list. SERP is open to all
in-house or commercial software developers who would like their software to be recognized by Canada Post.
For more information, or to have your software evaluated by Canada Post, please visit
canadapost.ca/presortationsoftware.
2.1.2
POSTAL CODE
The presortation software will sort mail items by Postal Code. The Postal Code is a six-character alphanumeric
code in the form of ANA NAN, in which "A" represents a letter of the alphabet, and "N" represents a number. It
is an integral part of every postal address in Canada, and was designed to help sort mail, both mechanically and
manually.
The Postal Code is made up of two segments, as shown in Figure 1:
1. The first three characters (ANA) represent the Forward Sortation Area (FSA), a geographical region, and
2. The last three characters (NAN) represent the Local Delivery Unit (LDU), a specific city block or rural
community.
NOTE:
Rural areas are identified by a zero in the FSA (e.g., M0L 3K2).
Figure 1: Postal Code segments
FSA
LDU
For more detailed information, please visit Section 5 of Addressing Guidelines in the Canada Postal Guide.
January 13, 2014
Version 1.1
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Mail Preparation and Presortation Guide – Letter Carrier Presort
2.1.3
DELIVERY MODE CODE (DMC)
The presortation software also sorts mail items according to specific letter carrier routes or other delivery routes.
These are known as modes. The delivery route for an individual address is identified by a specific Delivery Mode
Code (DMC).
The DMC must be printed in the address block of every mail item in a Letter Carrier Presort (LCP) mailing (see
Figure 2). The DMC consists of two parts, a Delivery Mode Audit Code (DMAC) and a Delivery Mode Detail
(DMD).
The Delivery Mode Audit Code (DMAC), a single letter in parentheses, identifies which version of the NPS and
Delivery Mode Data Product was used to prepare a mailing. This Audit Code must appear on every mail item,
regardless of its destination.
The Delivery Mode Detail (DMD), a string of alphanumeric characters, identifies the letter carrier route or
delivery mode as well as the letter carrier responsible for delivery of the mail item or group of items. This
information must appear on every mail item with an urban Postal Code.
Figure 2: Delivery Mode Code (DMC)
Delivery Mode Code
ABC COMPANY
H 12(M)
317 BLACKACRES BLVD W
LONDON ON N6G 3R7
H 12(M)
Delivery Mode Audit Code
Delivery Mode Detail
2.1.3.1 Placement of Delivery Mode Code (DMC)
The DMC may appear on any non-address line in or above the address block, that is, on any line that does not
contain delivery information (see Figure 3, Figure 4 and Figure 5).
Figure 3: DMC placement on addresses with three or more lines
3 to 4 blank spaces to the right
of the non-address line
ABC COMPANY
H 12(M)
317 BLACKACRES BLVD W
LONDON ON N6G 3R7
Lines containing
delivery information
Figure 4: DMC placement on addresses with four or more lines
3 to 4 blank spaces to the right
of the longest non-address line
ABC COMPANY
(M)
ATTN: AL MARTINEAU
H12
317 BLACKACRES BLVD W
LONDON ON N6G 3R7
January 13, 2014
Audit Code and
DMD are vertically aligned
Lines containing
delivery information
Version 1.1
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Mail Preparation and Presortation Guide – Letter Carrier Presort
Figure 5: DMC placement above the address block
Up to 2 lines above the address block,
3 to 4 blank spaces to the right
of the non-address line
H 12(M)
ABC COMPANY
317 BLACKACRES BLVD W
LONDON ON N6G 3R7
2.1.4
NATIONAL PRESORTATION SCHEMATIC (NPS)
The National Presortation Schematic (NPS) indicates how mail in Canada is distributed through specific Canada
Post facilities. It lists all Forward Sortation Areas (FSAs) and shows how to consolidate mail into groupings and
containers.
The four NPS levels of consolidation are (as shown in Figure 6):
NPS Level 1 - Delivery Facility (DF)
NPS Level 2 - City
NPS Level 3 - Distribution Centre Facility (DCF)
NPS Level 4 - Forward Consolidation Point (FCP).
Any mail items that cannot be consolidated to one of these four levels will be consolidated as Residue.
Figure 6: Illustration of the NPS
FSA
K2S
LEVEL 1
DELIVERY FACILITY
(DF)
LEVEL 2
CITY
K2S 1A0
STITTSVILLE ON
LEVEL 3
DISTRIBUTION CENTRE
FACILITY
(DCF)
LEVEL 4
FORWARD
CONSOLIDATION POINT
(FCP)
K0A 9ZO
OTTAWA ON
DCF
K0A
K7K
K7L
K7M
K7N
K7P
K7L 1X0
KINGSTON ON
STN MAIN
K7M 5E0
KINGSTON ON
STN A
K7L 1X0
KINGSTON ON
K0H 9ZO
KINGSTON ON
DCF
K0A 9ZO
OTTAWA ON
FWD
K0H
K1P
K1R
K2P
K1G 2C0
OTTAWA ON
LCD CENTRETOWN
K1L
K1M
K1N
K1L 5A0
OTTAWA ON
STN VANIER
K1G 0A0
OTTAWA ON
Canada Post updates the NPS monthly to reflect the changing inventory of Canadian addresses. These monthly
updates also appear in presortation software recognized by Canada Post. In order to receive optimal service and
avoid surcharges, you must ensure that you are using the most current version of both the Delivery Mode Data
and the recognized presortation software.
January 13, 2014
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Mail Preparation and Presortation Guide – Letter Carrier Presort
2.2
Containerization
Containerization is the process of packaging the mail for shipment. Mail items are placed into containers suitable
for handling through Canada Post's processes. These containers are then placed into shipping units (pallets or
monotainers) suitable for handling through our transportation network.
You may enquire about or order our equipment by contacting the National Equipment Container Facility (NECF)
order desk, by telephone at 905-565-0480, by fax at 905-564-6830, by email at necfteo@canadapost.ca or
through a Regional Equipment Coordinator. Find a list of Regional Equipment Coordinators at
canadapost.ca/mailpreparation.
Please note that Canada Post's equipment may only be used when using Canada Post's products or services. It
remains our exclusive property. Personal use is not permitted. You are responsible for ensuring that the
equipment remains in good condition, reasonable wear-and-tear accepted.
NOTE 1: The minimum ordering quantity for plastic pallets is 40 units.
2: Effective January 16, 2012, Canada Post no longer accepts Addressed Admail and Publications Mail
mailings inducted in bags.
2.2.1
ACCEPTABLE
CONTAINERS
The acceptable containers for Letter Carrier Presort (LCP) are Canada Post-supplied containers (lettertainers,
letterflatainers (LFT’s) and flats tubs).
Alternative acceptable container options for Letter Carrier Presort (LCP) are customer-supplied cardboard
containers (see Section 2.2.1.2).
NOTE:
Customers may use cardboard containers in conjunction with Canada Post-supplied lettertainers or flats
tubs, provided the same type of container is used for each destination facility.
2.2.1.1 Acceptable Canada Post-supplied containers
The acceptable containers for Letter Carrier Presort (LCP) are lettertainers, letterflatainers (LFTs) and flats tubs.
Lettertainers (see Figure 7) and letterflatainers (LFTs) (see Figure 8) are used for:
•
Short and Long (S/L) Addressed Admail and Publications Mail items
•
Small Dimensional Addressed Admail items (lettertainers only).
Figure 7: Lettertainer
Figure 8: Letterflatainer (LFT)
Flats tubs (see Figure 9) are used for:
•
Oversize (O/S) Addressed Admail and Publications Mail items
January 13, 2014
Version 1.1
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Mail Preparation and Presortation Guide – Letter Carrier Presort
•
Large Dimensional Addressed Admail items.
Figure 9: Flats tub
All containers must be deposited with lids, unless other arrangements have been made with a Canada Post
representative. Letterflatainers (LFTs) do not require lids. Please refer to Table 1 for container specifications.
NOTE:
Containers prepared in a Level 1 (DF) monotainer (see Section 3.3.1 "Levels of shipping units") may be
nested and deposited without lids. In such case, we recommend covering monotainers with cardboard
to protect the load.
Table 1: Container specifications
TYPE OF
CONTAINER
CATEGORY CONTAINER WEIGHT
(INCLUDING LID)
LENGTH
WIDTH
HEIGHT
MAXIMUM WEIGHT
(INCLUDING MAIL,
CONTAINER AND LID)
Lettertainer
Short &
Long (S/L)
Flats Tub
Oversize
(O/S)
TYPE OF
CONTAINER
1.8 kg
(4 lbs)
535 mm
(21.1 in)
251 mm
(9.8 in)
156 mm
(6.1 in)
22.7 kg
(50 lbs)
1.7 kg
(3.7 lbs)
405 mm
(15.9 in)
240 mm
(9.4 in)
303 mm
(11.9 in)
22.7 kg
(50 lbs)
LENGTH
WIDTH
HEIGHT
MAXIMUM WEIGHT
(INCLUDING MAIL,
394 mm
(15.6 in)
244 mm
(9.6 in)
150 mm
(5.9 in)
CATEGORY CONTAINER WEIGHT
(WITHOUT LID)
CONTAINER AND LID)
Letterflatainer (LFT) Short &
Long (S/L)
NOTE:
0.995 kg
(2.2 lbs)
22.7 kg
(50 lbs)
Container dimensions in Table 1 are the measurements inside the container.
2.2.1.2 Acceptable customer-supplied cardboard containers
Customer-supplied cardboard lettertainers are acceptable for:
•
Short and Long (S/L) Addressed Admail and Publications Mail items
•
Small Dimensional Addressed Admail items.
Customer-supplied cardboard boxes are acceptable for:
•
Short and Long (S/L) and Oversize (O/S) Addressed Admail and Publications Mail items
•
Small and Large Dimensional Addressed Admail items.
Customer-supplied cardboard containers must:
•
meet the requirements outlined in this guide
•
have lids and be sturdy to withstand handling during processing
•
meet the dimensions outlined in Table 1 in order to be compatible with the presortation software results.
Customers may produce their own cardboard containers using the manufacturing specifications posted online at
canadapost.ca/mailpreparation.
January 13, 2014
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Mail Preparation and Presortation Guide – Letter Carrier Presort
2.2.2
ACCEPTABLE
SHIPPING UNITS (MONOTAINERS AND PALLETS)
Monotainers and pallets (also referred to as skids) are acceptable shipping units for containers (see Table 2 and
Table 3).
Use of monotainers or pallets is mandatory for Dimensional Addressed Admail, and it is optional for
Short and Long (S/L) and Oversize (O/S) Publications Mail and Addressed Admail mailings.
Shipping units are used to group containers intended for one Order (Statement of Mailing) or bound for the same
destination (e.g., all mail items for Vancouver arrive on one pallet). This reduces the handling and helps ensure
timely delivery.
Table 2: Acceptable shipping units
CANADA POST-SUPPLIED
MONOTAINER
CUSTOMER-SUPPLIED
PLASTIC PALLET
WOODEN PALLET
Table 3: Shipping unit specifications
TYPE OF
SHIPPING UNIT
WEIGHT
LENGTH
WIDTH
Monotainer
97 kg
(213.8 lbs)
1.322 m
(52 in)
1.067 m
(42 in)
1.115 m
(43.8 in)
900 kg
(1,984.2 lbs)
Pallet
9 kg*
(19.8 lbs)
1.22 m
(48 in)
1.02 m
(40 in)
1.5 m
(59 in)
900 kg
(1,984.2 lbs)
*
MAXIMUM HEIGHT MAXIMUM WEIGHT
(INCLUDING MAIL & (INCLUDING MAIL &
SHIPPING UNIT)
SHIPPING UNIT)
9 kg (19.8 lbs) is the weight of a plastic pallet supplied by Canada Post.
If you are supplying your own wooden pallets, we recommend the bloc design to be used (as shown in Table 2).
In addition, the following requirements must be met:
•
pallets must not have critical defects (i.e. exposed nails, significant splits, missing wood, decay or damaged/
jagged parts)
•
the top surface of the pallet must be flat and stable, allowing for safe loading and unloading of mail without
tipping or sliding
•
pallets must be able to withstand temperatures of -40°C to 40°C, and severe weather conditions such as
rain, snow, ice and humidity
•
pallets must be built so their bottom deck boards do not obstruct entry by a forklift. Pallets should be
accessible by a forklift on all four sides and by a hand jack on two sides
•
openings for forks must be:
Ì
at least 102 mm (4") in height on the sides of the pallet without bottom deck boards; and
Ì
at least 89 mm (3.5") in height on the sides with bottom deck boards
•
metal strapping is not permitted
•
pallets must conform to:
January 13, 2014
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Mail Preparation and Presortation Guide – Letter Carrier Presort
Ì
ASTM - D1185 - Standard Test Methods for Pallets and related Structures Employed in Materials Handling
and Shipping
Ì
ISO-8611 - Pallets for Materials Handling - Flat Pallets - Part 3: Maximum Working Loads
Ì
Uniform Standard for Wood Pallets by National Wooden Pallet & Container Association (USA).
2.3
Creating Orders (Statements of Mailing)
In order to access Letter Carrier Presort (LCP) prices, you must prepare, transmit electronically and submit your
Orders (Statements of Mailing) using Canada Post's Electronic Shipping Tools (EST). Non-transmitted Orders
(Statements of Mailing) may be subject to a surcharge. Visit canadapost.ca/surcharges for additional information.
When completing Orders (Statements of Mailing), you must use the Presort Mailing Plan Import Program or
surcharges will be applied. This program will enable you to import the Mailing Plans developed by the
presortation software directly into the EST, reducing the amount of data you need to enter.
The EST software is free of charge and can be accessed through the Business segment of the Canada Post
website at canadapost.ca/newuser. Customers must register once in the Business segment of the website to
access the EST. For technical enquiries, customers can call the Technical Help Line at 1-866-511-0546.
3
MAIL PREPARATION AND PRESORTATION
The mail preparation and presortation process requires (as shown in Figure 10):
•
grouping mail items for a common destination and placing them in a specific (address-based) order
•
placing groupings with a common destination into containers in a specific order, and
•
placing containers with a common destination into shipping units (monotainers or pallets).
Figure 10: Mail preparation and presortation process
Mail items
Section 2
• Meet non-machineable specifications
• Contain Delivery Mode Code
Items must be
grouped together
(GROUPINGS)
Section 3.1
• Minimum number of items per grouping
• Levels of groupings
• Separating groupings
• Identifying DCF, FCP and Residue groupings
Groupings must
be placed into
CONTAINERS
Section 3.2
• Maximum weight of a filled container
• Levels of containers
• Filling containers
• Labelling containers
Containers are
placed into
SHIPPING UNITS*
Section 3.3
• Levels of shipping units
• Filling shipping units
• Securing pallets
• Labelling shipping units
*Use of monos/pallets is mandatory for Dimensional Addressed Admail and optional for S/L and O/S Addressed Admail and Publications Mail
When you prepare your mail, you must use presortation software recognized by Canada Post. This software
evaluates information from input files (such as mailing lists) to determine the groupings, containers and shipping
units that can be created from them while meeting all our specifications for the service. The software also
determines the appropriate sequence of mail items so you can arrange all groupings and mail items in them
accordingly.
The following section provides an overview of some of our key mail preparation and presortation requirements.
NOTE:
Software developers may obtain more detailed information about our requirements by consulting our
Presortation Technical Specifications (PTS).
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3.1
Grouping mail items
All items in a mailing must be part of a grouping. All groupings (except Residue) must have a minimum of eight
items for Addressed Admail mailings or a minimum of six items for Publications Mail mailings. If this minimum
requirement is not met, the items are consolidated to the next level (see Section 3.1.1 "Levels of groupings").
Grouped mail items must meet the consolidation requirements set out in Canada Post's Delivery Mode Data
Product and National Presortation Schematic (NPS). These requirements are updated monthly in presortation
software recognized by Canada Post.
3.1.1
LEVELS
OF GROUPINGS
The presortation software will determine which groupings are possible for a given mailing.
There are five allowable types of groupings:
1. Delivery Mode Direct (DMD)
2. NPS Level 1 - Delivery Facility (DF)
3. NPS Level 3 - Distribution Centre Facility (DCF)
4. NPS Level 4 - Forward Consolidation Point (FCP)
5. Residue.
The presortation software will group together mail items that have a common destination and/or sortation.
For example, it will:
•
group all items delivered by the same letter carrier (a DMD grouping)
•
group all items delivered from the same postal station or letter carrier depot (a DF grouping)
•
group all items delivered in the same area, such as a city and surrounding area (a DCF grouping)
•
group all items delivered in the same province (an FCP grouping)
•
place all remaining items into a Residue grouping.
The software begins by creating all possible DMD groupings. Then:
•
if not enough items remain to create a DMD grouping, it will create all possible DF groupings
•
if not enough items remain to create a DF grouping, it will create all possible DCF groupings
•
if not enough items remain to create a DCF grouping, it will create all possible FCP groupings
•
for all items that cannot be grouped at any other level, it will create Residue groupings.
For each grouping it creates, the software also determines the sequence of the mail items within the grouping.
3.1.2
SEPARATING
GROUPINGS
Once your mail has been presorted, make sure it can withstand handling. Preserve the integrity of your groupings
by separating them in their containers, using one of the following acceptable methods:
a) bundling
b) separator cards
c) edgemarking.
Mail items within groupings must all face the same direction.
A) Bundling
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A bundle is a group of mail items secured together by strapping (e.g., elastic bands, string, or plastic straps) or by
shrink-wrapping. Please refer to Table 4 for bundling requirements.
Table 4: Bundling requirements
TYPE OF MAILING
MAXIMUM BUNDLE THICKNESS
MINIMUM NUMBER OF ITEMS*
PER BUNDLE
• Short and Long (S/L) Addressed Admail
and Publications Mail
• Small Dimensional Addressed Admail
100 mm
(4 in)
six for Publications Mail
eight for Addressed Admail and
Dimensional Addressed Admail
• Oversize (O/S) Addressed Admail and
Publications Mail
• Large Dimensional Addressed Admail
200 mm
(8 in)
*
The maximum thickness takes precedence over the minimum number of items. The last Residue bundle has no minimum
number of items, although it still must follow the specifications for maximum thickness per bundle.
NOTE 1: When a bundle exceeds the maximum thickness and there are sufficient items to create a full second
bundle, it is preferable to split the total number of items into two equal bundles, rather than create one
full bundle and one very small bundle. For example, if there is a Short and Long (S/L) bundle of 52 items
with a thickness of 125 mm, make two bundles of 26 items.
2: When bundles of Oversize (O/S) and Dimensional Addressed Admail items exceed the maximum
thickness of 200 mm, it is preferable to make two evenly divided bundles.
Strapping must be strong and tight enough to hold the bundle together, without the contents sliding, when
held vertically.
Please refer to Table 5 for strapping requirements.
Table 5: Strapping requirements for containers
TYPE OF MAILING
STRAPPING REQUIREMENT
• Short and Long (S/L) Addressed Admail and Publications Mail
• Small Dimensional Addressed Admail
• Oversize (O/S) Addressed Admail and Publications Mail [only
for bundles placed in Level 1 (DF) containers]
Single strapping
• Oversize (O/S) Addressed Admail and Publications Mail
[except for bundles placed in Level 1 (DF) containers]
• Large Dimensional Addressed Admail
Double strapping
Shrink-wrapping is an acceptable method of bundling for Oversize (O/S) Addressed Admail and Publications
Mail items and for Large Dimensional Addressed Admail items. The plastic used for shrink-wrapping must be
strong enough to ensure the bundles remain secured during handling.
NOTE:
If your mail items are bound using spines, to create an even bundle, you may place the bottom half of
the bundle with its spines facing the opposite way than the top half of the bundle (see Figure 11).
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Figure 11: Bundling items with spines
Acceptable
Preferred
B) Separator cards
Separator cards may also be used to indicate breaks between groupings (as shown in Figure 12). Separator cards
must:
•
be made of thin, rigid cardboard (a weight of 120 to 160 grams per square metre is normally adequate)
•
extend at least 20 mm above the mail items
•
be at least 155 mm wide
•
be placed in front of the first mail item in each grouping. Please note that if a grouping is too large to fit into
one container, a second separator card is required at the front of the second container.
Figure 12: Separator cards
20 mm min.
155 mm min.
NOTE:
Separator cards can be any colour.
When separator cards are used, the minimum number of items per grouping is six for Publications Mail and eight
for Addressed Admail. There is no maximum number of items per grouping. Only one separator card is required
to identify the start of each grouping, regardless of its size.
C) Edgemarking
Edgemarking means applying ink or paint to the top edge of a mail item. This is another acceptable way of
separating groupings within a container (see Figure 13). Edgemarks are only applied to the first item in each
grouping.
Edgemarks must meet the following requirements:
•
their colour must significantly contrast with that of the mail item
•
the same colour must be used for edgemarking the entire mailing
•
they must begin approximately 40 mm from the upper-right edge of the mail item
•
they should be approximately 20 mm long, separated by a gap of approximately 25 mm:
Ì
the marking nearest the upper-right edge indicates a Delivery Mode Direct (DMD) grouping
Ì
the additional markings indicate Delivery Facility (DF), Distribution Centre Facility (DCF) and Forward
Consolidation Point (FCP) groupings.
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Figure 13: Edgemarking
First
marking
indicates
DMD
grouping
Second
marking
indicates
DF
grouping
20 mm
NOTE:
25 mm
Edgemarks
20 mm
40 mm
It is acceptable for DCF and FCP groupings to have only two marks, but the marks must be in the DMD
and DF locations.
When edgemarks are used, the minimum number of items per grouping is six for Publications Mail and eight for
Addressed Admail. There is no maximum number of items per grouping. Only one edgemark is required to
identify the start of the grouping, regardless of its size.
3.1.3
IDENTIFYING DCF, FCP
AND
RESIDUE
GROUPINGS
All DCF, FCP and Residue groupings must be identified.
When using bundling as a separation method, DCF, FCP and Residue bundles must be identified with a bundle
label (also called a facing slip). DMD and DF bundles do not require labels.
Bundle labels must be securely fastened to the bundle. They must be white in colour, measure 86 mm high by
95 mm wide, and include the routing information as specified in Table 6.
Table 6: Routing information on DCF, FCP and Residue bundle labels
DCF
• Postal Code of the DCF, as per the NPS
(e.g. K0K 9Z0)
• name of the DCF (e.g., BELLEVILLE ON
DCF)
• the service option (LCP)
EXAMPLES OF BUNDLE LABEL
86 mm
GROUPING ROUTING INFORMATION ON BUNDLE LABELS
K0K 9Z0
BELLEVILLE ON DCF
LCP
Postal Code
Name of the DCF
Service Option
FCP
• Postal Code of the FCP, as per the NPS
(e.g., K0A 9Z0)
• name of the FCP with the forward
abbreviation FWD (e.g., OTTAWA ON
FWD)
• the service option (LCP)
86 mm
95 mm
K0A 9Z0
OTTAWA ON FWD
LCP
Postal Code
Name of the FCP with the FWD
Service Option
95 mm
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GROUPING ROUTING INFORMATION ON BUNDLE LABELS
• name of the deposit facility
(e.g., OTTAWA ON)
• the word “RESIDUE”
• the service option (LCP)
86 mm
Residue
EXAMPLES OF BUNDLE LABEL
OTTAWA ON
RESIDUE
LCP
Name of Deposit Facility
Word “Residue”
Service Option
95 mm
Additional information may appear above or below the routing information as long as the routing information is
more prominent.
Instead of attaching bundle labels, you may choose to print an Optional Endorsement Line (OEL) on the first
mail item in each bundle. OELs can be generated by the presortation software and printed directly onto the mail
item or its address label as the top line in the address block (or the top line within the window) as shown in
Figure 14.
Figure 14: Optional endorsement line (OEL)
K0A 9Z0 OTTAWA ON DCF
C. SMITH
H15(C)
362 KELLY LANE
CUMBERLAND ON K4C 1A7
Optional Endorsement Line (OEL) on DCF bundles
K0A 9Z0 OTTAWA ON FWD
T. CHARLES
H5(C)
423 SARAH STREET
HAWKESBURY ON K6A 2A5
Optional Endorsement Line (OEL) on FCP bundles
OTTAWA ON
RESIDUE
T. CHARLES
XX12(C)
123 MAIN STREET
CORNWALL ON K6B 1B5
Optional Endorsement Line (OEL) on Residue bundles
OELs must meet the following specifications:
•
consolidation information must be printed on the top line of the address block or label
•
font type and size must be identical to that of the address (an UPPERCASE font is recommended), and
•
if positioned within a window, the OEL must be visible.
When using separator cards as a separation method, each DCF, FCP and Residue grouping must be identified
on the part of the separator card visible above the mail items. The following information must be provided:
For DCF groupings:
•
Postal Code of the DCF, as per the NPS (e.g., K0K 9Z0)
•
name of the DCF (e.g., BELLEVILLE ON DCF), and
•
the service option (LCP).
For FCP groupings:
•
Postal Code of the FCP, as per the NPS (e.g., K0A 9Z0)
•
name of the FCP with the forward abbreviation FWD (e.g., OTTAWA ON FWD)
•
the service option (LCP).
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For Residue groupings:
•
name of the deposit facility(e.g., OTTAWA ON)
•
the word "Residue"
•
the service option (LCP).
3.2
Placing groupings in containers
Letter Carrier Presort (LCP) groupings must be deposited in containers. The maximum weight of a filled container,
including its lid, is 22.7 kg (50 lbs). Containers must be deposited with lids, unless other arrangements have been
made with a Canada Post representative. Letterflatainers (LFTs) do not require lids.
NOTE:
An exception is made for containers prepared in a Level 1 (DF) monotainer (see Section 3.3.1 "Levels of
shipping units"). These containers may be nested and deposited without lids. We recommend covering
monotainers with cardboard to protect the load.
Groupings in containers must all face the same direction (see Figure 15).
Figure 15: Groupings facing the same direction
3.2.1
LEVELS
OF CONTAINERS
The presortation software will determine which container levels are possible for a given mailing.
The acceptable levels of containers (also referred to as consolidation levels) are:
1. NPS Level 1 - Delivery Facility (DF)
2. NPS Level 2 - City
3. NPS Level 3 - Distribution Centre Facility (DCF)
4. NPS Level 4 - Forward Consolidation Point (FCP)
5. Residue.
Containers are created by putting together groupings that have a common destination and/or sortation level
within Canada Post's network of mail processing and delivery facilities. For example, a container may consist of:
•
groupings to be delivered on routes in the same letter carrier depot (a DF container)
•
groupings to be delivered in the same area, such as a city and surrounding area (a City container or DCF
container)
•
groupings to be delivered in the same province (an FCP container)
•
remaining groupings (a Residue container).
When you prepare a container for its destination, it must be adequately filled to meet our minimum requirements
(see Section 3.2.2 "Filling containers").
The presortation software will determine which consolidation levels are possible for a given mailing. Groupings
placed in containers must meet the consolidation requirements set out in the National Presortation Schematic
(NPS). The level of consolidation will vary depending on the mail volume.
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Groupings inside containers must be physically separated by one of the three acceptable methods - bundling,
separator cards, or edgemarking.
The software begins by creating all possible DF containers. Then:
•
if not enough groupings remain to create a DF container, it will create all possible City or DCF containers
•
if not enough groupings remain to create City or DCF containers, it will create all possible FCP containers
•
for groupings that cannot be containerized at any other level, it will create Residue containers.
The software will also determine the appropriate order of groupings within each container.
3.2.2
FILLING
CONTAINERS
Containers must be sufficiently filled to meet our minimum requirements, as shown in Table 7.
Table 7: Minimum requirements for filling containers
CONSOLIDATION LEVEL
IF ONLY 1 CONTAINER TO A
DESTINATION, FILL TO A
CAPACITY OF:
IF MULTIPLE CONTAINERS TO A DESTINATION
ALL CONTAINERS EXCEPT THE LAST,
FILL TO A CAPACITY OF:
LAST CONTAINER,
FILL TO A CAPACITY OF:
Level 1 - DF
50%
95%
No Minimum
Level 2 - City
70%
95%
No Minimum
Level 3 - DCF
70%
95%
No Minimum
Level 4 - FCP
50%
95%
No Minimum
No Minimum
95%
No Minimum
Residue
NOTE 1: To assess how full your container is, tip it on its short end at a 45-90° angle (as shown in Figure 16).
Once its contents have been compressed by their own weight, measure the length of space occupied
against the total length of the container. Express this ratio as a percentage, then compare it with our
minimum requirements for that type of container.
2: No container may exceed 22.7 kg (50 lbs) in weight.
Figure 16: Assessing container Fill
45 - 90°
3.2.3
PRESERVING
INTEGRITY OF MAIL PREPARATION
When using separator cards or edgemarking as a separation method, for any container less than full (less than
95% of capacity), you must ensure the integrity of your mail preparation by using packing, as shown in
Figure 17.
If you use bundle strapping as a separation method, for any container less than full (less than 95% capacity), we
recommend adding packing in the container to ensure the integrity of your mail preparation.
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Figure 17: Less than full container
Packing
3.2.4
LABELLING
CONTAINERS
All containers must be labelled with their destination details using routing information from the National
Presortation Schematic (NPS). Correctly labelling your containers will ensure your mail is directed to the
appropriate work centre within a Canada Post facility.
The use of 2D barcoded container labels for LCP mailings is mandatory. The presortation software will provide the
information you need to print on container labels. These labels must be bilingual and must include the following
details (see Figure 18):
•
the service name (e.g., Addressed Admail/Médiaposte avec adresse)
•
the service option (LCP/TPIF)
•
the following NPS routing information (on all but Residue containers):
Ì
the facility Postal Code (e.g., K1G 2C0)
Ì
the facility name (e.g., OTTAWA)
Ì
the province, in abbreviated form (e.g., ON), and
Ì
the routing destination (e.g., LCD Centretown).
Ensure that the content of the label matches that of the container.
Figure 18: 2D Barcoded container label
NOTE:
Labels for Residue containers must contain the facility name and the word "Residue."
Visit canadapost.ca/labels to view label specifications.
3.2.4.1 Labelling containers
If you are using Canada Post-supplied containers, insert container labels into the label holder prior to depositing
your mailing to a Canada Post facility (see Figure 19).
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Figure 19: Placement of label on a container
NOTE:
3.3
If you are using customer-supplied cardboard containers, affix a container label on the side of each
container. You can order self-adhesive labels online at canadapost.ca/obc under form number
33-086-732 or by contacting the Canada Post Customer Relationship Network by telephone at
1-888-550-6333.
Placing containers into shipping units
Use of monotainers or pallets is mandatory for Dimensional Addressed Admail, and it is optional for
Short and Long (S/L) and Oversize (O/S) Publications Mail and Addressed Admail mailings.
3.3.1
LEVELS
OF SHIPPING UNITS
Canada Post encourages the consolidation of containers to monotainers or pallets, as per the National
Presortation Schematic (NPS).
The following are the acceptable levels of consolidation:
1. NPS Level 1 - Delivery Facility (DF)
2. NPS Level 2 - City
3. NPS Level 3 - Distribution Centre Facility (DCF)
4. NPS Level 4 - Forward Consolidation Point (FCP)
5. Residue.
The presortation software will determine the consolidation levels that can be created for a given mailing, based
on the number of containers. Containers in shipping units must meet the consolidation requirements set out in
the National Presortation Schematic (NPS). The level of consolidation will vary depending on the destination of
the container.
The software begins by creating all possible DF shipping units. Then:
•
if not enough containers remain to create a full DF shipping unit, it will create all possible City or DCF
shipping units
•
if not enough containers remain to create City or DCF shipping units, it will create all possible FCP shipping
units
•
for all remaining containers that cannot be consolidated to any NPS level, it will create Residue shipping units.
If containers are not consolidated within the shipping units as per the NPS, then the shipping unit label must be
identified as Residue (see Section 3.3.4 "Labelling shipping units").
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3.3.2
FILLING
SHIPPING UNITS
Monotainers and pallets must be filled to meet our requirements, as shown in Table 8.
Table 8: Fill requirements for shipping units
FILL
REQUIREMENT
PALLET
MONOTAINER
WITH MAIL DESTINED WITHIN
THE PROVINCE OF DEPOSIT
WITH MAIL DESTINED OUTSIDE
THE PROVINCE OF DEPOSIT
Min.
18 lettertainers or 18 letterflatainers
(LFTs) or 12 flats tubs or 500 mm
(excluding height of the pallet)
18 lettertainers or
27 lettertainers or
18 letterflatainers (LFTs) or 12 flats 27 letterflatainers (LFTs) or 18
tubs
flats tubs
Max.
48 lettertainers or 48 letterflatainers
36 lettertainers or 48 letterflatainers (LFTs) (40 letterflatainers with
(LFTs) or 32 flats tubs or 1.5 m (including lids) or 24 flats tubs or contents may be piled up to 25 mm below the
height of the pallet)
top of the monotainer
NOTE 1: Fill requirements outlined in Table 7 are also applicable if you are using customer-supplied containers.
2: Pallets or monotainers may not exceed 900 kg (1984.2 lbs) in weight.
3.3.3
SECURING
PALLETS
All pallets must be securely fastened and structurally sound. To preserve the integrity of your mailing, ensure that:
•
three layers of stretch-wrapping are applied around the pallet and its load, or
•
cross-strapping is applied (as shown in Figure 20).
NOTE 1: If using plastic pallets, it is recommended to apply four cross straps encompassing both the pallet
bottom and the containers.
2: Metal strapping is not permitted.
Figure 20: Stretch-wrapped and cross-strapped pallet
3.3.4
LABELLING
SHIPPING UNITS
All pallets and monotainers must be labelled. SERP generated labels may contain an optional 2D barcode. This
will ensure that your mail is directed to the appropriate facility within Canada Post's network.
Labels must be white and meet the following requirements:
•
measure 216 mm high by 279 mm wide (8.5 in x 11 in) in letter landscape or letter portrait format. Labels
may also be prepared in legal portrait format 216 mm x 355 mm (8.5 x 14)
•
be printed in black in a font size large enough to occupy the entire label
•
prominently display the facility name (which must be visibly larger than all other information).
The information provided on the label must include the following (as shown in Figure 21):
•
the service name (Addressed Admail, Dimensional Addressed Admail, or Publications Mail)
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•
the service option (LCP)
•
the following National Presortation Schematic (NPS) routing information (on all but Residue monotainers or
pallets):
Ì
the Postal Code of the Canada Post deposit facility (e.g., K0A 9Z0)
Ì
the name of the facility (e.g., OTTAWA)
Ì
the province, in abbreviated form (e.g., ON), and
Ì
the routing designation (e.g., DCF).
Figure 21: SERP generated monotainer and pallet label
NOTE:
Labels for Residue monotainers or pallets and all labels generated without the use of SERP software
must display the name of the deposit facility and the word "Residue."
As shown in Figure 22:
•
each monotainer must have at least one label, although two are recommended
•
each pallet must have two labels.
Figure 22: Labels attached to monotainers and pallets
Labels
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3.4
Summary of mail preparation and presortation process
Figure 23 summarizes the results of each stage in the mail preparation and presortation process for Letter Carrier
Presort (LCP) mailings.
Figure 23: Results of mail preparation and presortation process
Groupings
Containers
NPS Level 4
NPS Level 3
NPS Level 2
NPS Level 1
Delivery
Mode Direct
(DMD)
N/A
DMD
Delivery
Facility
(DF)
N/A
N/A
DMD
DMD
DF
DF
DF
City
Shipping Units*
DMD
DMD
DMD
City
City
Residue
Distribution
Centre Facility
(DCF)
DCF
DMD
DMD
OR
DCF
DCF
FCP
Forward
Consolidation
Point (FCP)
DF
DCF DF
DMD
FCP
FCP
sidue FCP
DF
DCF
DMD
Re
Residue
Residue
Residue
Note: All containers must have lids except for containers in a Level 1 (DF) monotainer. Letterflatainers (LFTs) do not require lids.
*Use of monos/pallets is mandatory for Dimensional Addressed Admail and optional for S/L and O/S Addressed Admail and Publications Mail.
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4
DEPOSIT SITES
Canada Post facilities are designed to ensure that your mail is handled efficiently to avoid unnecessary delays.
All items must be deposited with an authorized representative at the deposit location selected on the Order
(Statement of Mailing). Items cannot be deposited into street letter boxes or other mail receptacles.
Daily maximum volumes of mail have been implemented for certain types of deposit locations.
A look-up tool called Find a Deposit Location is available at canadapost.ca/depositlocations to help you identify
the right deposit location for your mailing based on Postal CodeOM, mail type and quantity. In addition, this tool
will provide further information such as the deposit location address and hours of deposit.
NOTE:
4.1
Items deposited after the deposit location cut-off times are considered as being deposited on the next
business day. Visit canadapost.ca/cutofftimes for a list of select deposit location cut-off times.
Deposit location types
We have assessed the capabilities of our deposit locations to ensure they are properly equipped and capable of
handling your mail efficiently and on time. The type of mail and the volume which can be accepted in each of
these facilities have been defined into the following Deposit Location Types:
•
Receipt Verification Units (RVUs) accept all products and all volumes with the exception of machineable
mail (i.e.: mail prepared in accordance with the Machineable Mail Specifications). Not all RVUs are approved
to accept all types of Machineable Mail. This list of approved induction locations for Machineable Mail can be
found at canadapost.ca/cutofftimes.
•
Commercial Deposit Centres (CDCs) are facilities that are equipped to accept, verify, and process
commercial mailings. Commercial mailings deposited at a CDC will continue to be processed at a Canada
Post mail processing plant. These deposit locations can accept up to the equivalent of 2 shipping units
(monotainers/pallets) CDC Level 1, 3 shipping units (monotainers/pallets) CDC Level 2 or 7 shipping units
(monotainers/pallets) CDC Level 3 – of commercial mail per day per customer with the exception of
Machineable Mail (customers exceeding these volumes will be referred to the nearest RVU).
•
Corporate Post Offices accept all commercial products except Machineable Mail. These deposit locations
can accept up to the equivalent of five containers (Corporate Post Office Level 1) or 12 containers (Corporate
Post Office Level 2) – of commercial mail per day per customer with the exception of Machineable Mail
(customers exceeding these volumes will be referred to the nearest CDC or RVU).
•
Delivery Facilities that have not been designated as CDCs will not accept commercial mailings, except
Unaddressed Admail for local delivery (to a maximum of full coverage for that Delivery facility).
Refer to the Find a Deposit Location tool at canadapost.ca/depositlocations to identify the right deposit
location for your mailing based on mail type and quantity.
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Mail Preparation and Presortation Guide – Letter Carrier Presort
4.2
Maximum volume acceptable per day, by deposit location type
Table 9: Maximum volume acceptable per day, by deposit location type for Letter Carrier Presort (LCP)
Addressed Admail & Publications Mail
PRODUCT
RVU
CDC
LEVEL 1*
CDC
LEVEL 2*
CDC
LEVEL 3*
Addressed Admail
and Publications
Mail
Acceptable.
No maximum
volume
applicable
2 shipping
units**
(monotainers/
pallets)
3 shipping
units**
(monotainers/
pallets)
7 shipping
units**
(monotainers/
pallets)
CORPORATE CORPORATE
POST OFFICE POST OFFICE
LEVEL 1
LEVEL 2
DELIVERY
FACILITY*
5 containers 12 containers Not acceptable
***
***
Find a Deposit Location at canadapost.ca/depositlocations.
*
**
***
This location type is not equipped to process mail received in monotainers or pallets that are double-stacked.
A monotainer can accommodate approximately 36 Lettertainers, 48 letterflatainers (LFTs) (40 letterflatainers with lids) or 24
Flats tubs.
Containers include Canada Post-supplied containers and customer-supplied cardboard containers.
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5
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
5.1
Do-it-yourself checklist for preparing Letter Carrier Presort
(LCP) mailings
WHEN CREATING YOUR LCP MAILING, FOLLOW THESE STEPS ...
REFERENCE
Before you start, ensure that ...
Your mail items meet our requirements for non-machineable items.
Non-Machineable
Addressed Admail
Postal Standards
Non-Machineable
Publications Mail
Postal Standards
You are using a current version of the presortation software recognized by Canada Post to prepare the
mailing.
Section 2.1.1
Once your mailing has been presorted by the software, ensure that ...
Your mailing is separated into five allowable levels of groupings: DMD, DF, DCF, FCP and Residue.
Section 3.1.1
Each grouping has a minimum of eight Addressed Admail items, or a minimum of six Publications Mail
items.
Section 3.1
Mail items within groupings all face the same direction.
Section 3.1.2
All groupings are separated using one of the acceptable methods: bundling, separator cards, or
edgemarking.
Section 3.1.2
DCF, FCP and Residue groupings are identified:
• when using bundling as a separation method: with a bundle label (also called a facing slip) or with
the Optional Endorsement Line (OEL)
• when using separator cards as a separation method: with the routing information printed on the
separator cards.
Section 3.1.3
When placing groupings into containers, ensure that ...
All groupings are placed into acceptable containers:
• Short and Long (S/L) Addressed Admail and Publications Mail items are placed into lettertainers or
letterflatainers (LFTs)
• Oversize (O/S) Addressed Admail and Publications Mail items are placed into flats tubs
• Small Dimensional Addressed Admail items are placed into lettertainers
• Large Dimensional Addressed Admail items are placed into flats tubs.
NOTE: Customer-supplied cardboard containers are an acceptable alternative container option.
Section 2.2.1.1
Section 2.2.1.2
All containers are deposited with lids except for letterflatainers (LFTs) which do not require lids.
NOTE: Containers prepared in a Level 1 (DF) monotainer may be nested and deposited without lids.
Section 2.2.1.1
The weight of each filled container does not exceed 22.7 kg (50 lbs).
Section 3.2
Groupings in containers all face the same direction.
Section 3.2
Groupings are consolidated at the acceptable container levels: DF, City, DCF, FCP and Residue.
NOTE: Groupings inside containers are separated using bundling, separator cards, or edgemarking.
Section 3.2.1
All containers meet the minimum fill requirements:
If only one container to a destination:
• 50% for DF and FCP containers
• 70% for City and DCF containers
• no minimum requirement for a Residue container.
If multiple containers to a destination:
• 95% for all containers except the last
no minimum requirement for the last DF, City, DCF, FCP and Residue containers.
Section 3.2.2
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WHEN CREATING YOUR LCP MAILING, FOLLOW THESE STEPS ...
REFERENCE
For any less than full container, the integrity of your mail preparation is preserved by using packing.
Section 3.2.3
All containers are labelled using 2D barcoded container labels produced by the presortation software.
Section 3.2.4
The content of the label matches the content of the container.
Section 3.2.4
If using shipping units (monotainers or pallets), ensure that ...
Section 3.3.1
Containers are consolidated to acceptable shipping units (monotainers or pallets).
NOTE: Use of monotainers or pallets is mandatory for Dimensional Addressed Admail and it is optional
for Short and Long (S/L) and Oversize (O/S) Publications Mail and Addressed Admail mailings.
Containers are consolidated at the acceptable shipping unit levels: DF, City, DCF, FCP and Residue. If
containers are not consolidated within the shipping unit as per the NPS, then the shipping unit is
identified as Residue.
Section 3.3.1
Monotainers or pallets meet all fill requirements.
Section 3.3.2
Pallets are securely fastened using three layers of stretch-wrapping or cross-strapping.
Section 3.3.3
Monotainers or pallets are properly labelled.
Section 3.3.4
When completing your Order (Statement of Mailing), ensure that ...
Your Order (Statement of Mailing) is properly completed and electronically transmitted using the
Electronic Shipping Tools (EST).
Section 2.3
Mailing plans are imported into EST using the Presort Mailing Plan Import Program.
Section 2.3
When you are ready to deposit, ensure that ...
Your mailing will be deposited at the deposit location as selected when completing your Order (Statement Section 4
of Mailing) using the Electronic Shipping Tools (EST).
5.2
Other Resources
For more information on service qualifications and requirements for Canada Post’s services, please refer to:
•
Addressed Admail Customer Guide
•
Publications Mail Customer Guide.
For detailed information on how to create non-machineable mail items, please refer to:
•
Postal Standards Non-machineable Addressed Admail
•
Postal Standards Non-machineable Publications Mail.
For information and tools designed to assist you in preparing mailings for deposit to approved Canada Post
facilities, please refer to:
•
Address validation program for mailings greater than 5,000 items (Address Accuracy Program)
•
National Presortation Schematic (NPS) used for Presort mailings
•
Delivery Mode Data Product
•
Electronic Shipping Tools (EST)
•
Container label artwork.
For more information on surcharges applied by Canada Post for mailing anomalies, please refer to
•
Surcharge Details.
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