Priority™ Worldwide
The following sections are covered in this chapter:
2 | What Is Priority Worldwide? |  |
Priority Worldwide is an international express service offered by Canada Post, as an agent for FedEx. This service offers an On-time Money-Back Guarantee and delivery by noon the next business day to most U.S.A. destinations and in two (2) or three (3) business days to most international destinations.
The service also includes these features at no additional cost:
- recipient’s name and signature
- electronic customs clearance
- detailed tracking information, and
- up to $100 declared value for carriage*.
3 | Unacceptable Items | |
The following items are not acceptable for carriage to any international destination (additional restrictions may apply depending on the destination):
- foodstuffs and beverages (perishable or non-perishable)
- live insects, animals, birds, reptiles and plants, including cut flowers
- dead animals or animals that have been mounted
- live fish/seafood
- C.O.D. shipments
- human corpses, human organs or body parts, cremated or disinterred human remains
- drugs, prescriptions, except to certain countries
- explosives
- firearms, weaponry and parts thereof
- money (including coins, cash, currency or paper money)
- collectable coins and stamps
- negotiable stocks, bonds, bank drafts, cash letters, and other negotiable instruments equivalent to cash
- gambling devices
- lottery tickets
- liquor and alcoholic beverages except between licensed distributors (advance arrangements are required)
- tobacco, in certain countries only
- pornography
- furs and fur clothing
- hazardous waste, including, but not limited to, used hypodermic needles or syringes, or other medical waste
- personal effects where the importer is claiming duty-free entry
- shipments moving under a carnet (allows temporary import for display, etc. without duties)
- drawback claims (request for refund of import duties at time of export)
- shipments requiring Temporary Importation Bonds (TIBs allow temporary import for repairs, etc.)
- wet or dry ice
- any shipment which, in our judgement, could cause damage to, or delay of, equipment, personnel or other shipments
- any shipment which may require Canada Post/Fedex to obtain a license or permit for its transportation, importation or exportation
- any item whose carriage is prohibited by any applicable international treaty, law, government regulation, order or requirement of the country of origin or destination, or of any country through which the shipment may transit
- shipments that are wet, leaking or emit a foul odour
- fragile articles/orientation. Canada Post/FedEx assumes no liability for shipments of fragile articles (including, but not limited to, electronic and electrical devices and scientific testing equipment). Canada Post/FedEx does not provide special handling for packaging bearing “FRAGILE”, “REFRIGERATION REQUIRED” or orientation markings.
- blood, urine and other liquid diagnostic specimens
- perishables
- all IATA (International Air Transportation Association) classes of dangerous goods.
Canada Post and FedEx will not be liable for any loss, damage, delay, mis-delivery, non-delivery, misinformation or any failure to provide information due to or in respect of any shipment containing a prohibited item.
Pharmaceutical shipments will only be accepted when tendered in accordance with applicable local, provincial and international laws. The shipper is responsible for compliance with applicable laws. The shipper can either contact the recipient to determine entry requirements or refer to “Part H: International Destination Listing”.
4 | Size and Weight | |
Each Priority Worldwide item must meet the size and weight specifications shown in Table 1.
Table 1: Priority Worldwide Size and Weight
5 | Pricing Information | |
To obtain information on pricing*:
6 | Payment Options | |
Table 2 lists the acceptable proofs of payment for Priority Worldwide items.
Table 2: Priority Worldwide Proofs of Payment
Table 3 lists the acceptable methods of payment for Priority Worldwide items. Some restrictions or conditions may apply.
Table 3: Priority Worldwide Methods of Payment
- At a post office only.
- Certified cheque for non-contract Customers.
- Conditions apply.
- Subject to approval by Canada Post.
- Where available; conditions apply.
- Small Businesses (and depending on credit history some contract Customers) are required to pay by pre-authorized bank payment or pre-authorized credit card payment if account is elected as the method of payment.
For more information, see section 4.6 “Pay for the Item” of the “ABCs of Mailing” chapter.
7 | Service Standards At A Glance | |
For items being mailed to the U.S.A., see the “Service Standards” chapter. For items being mailed to international destinations, see “Part H: International Destination Listing”.
8 | Features | |
A feature is something that is provided as part of the basic service. The available features are described below.
8.1 | On-time Money-Back Guarantee |
For U.S. and Canada-based payors, Canada Post will, at its option and upon request, either refund or credit to the applicable invoice only the Customer’s transportation charges, if the Customer’s Priority Worldwide shipment is delivered more than 60 seconds after the applicable delivery commitment time. See the Priority Worldwide Terms and Conditions at www.canadapost.ca/generalterms for details regarding the Priority Worldwide On-time Money-Back Guarantee.
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An incomplete or illegible shipping label will void the On-time Money-Back Guarantee.
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This feature provides confirmation that the item arrived at its destination. Upon delivery, or attempted delivery, the item ID (identification) number is scanned and the date captured. The information is usually available by noon the next business day following delivery via the Internet at www.canadapost.ca or via automated phone response system by calling 1 888 550-6333, or through the Electronic Shipping Tools (EST) software.
This feature allows Customers to get detailed tracking of their item by visiting www.canadapost.ca or by calling 1 888 550-6333.
8.4 | Declared Value and Limits of Liability |
Priority Worldwide service includes up to $100 Declared Value for Carriage for loss or damage. If the Customer declares a value for carriage higher than $100, an additional charge will be assessed for each $100 (or fraction thereof) by which the declared value for carriage exceeds $100 or the Convention liability limit, whichever is applicable, up to the maximum amounts specified in the Priority Worldwide Terms and Conditions. Refer to the Priority Worldwide Terms and Conditions at www.canadapost.ca/generalterms.
Following delivery, the name of the person who signed for the item and an image of the signature will be available on Canada Post's “Track a Package” webpage, usually by noon the next business day.
Priority Worldwide items are generally not returned to the sender without the sender’s prior approval. FedEx may apply surcharges for returning the item to the sender.
This service is available free of charge for business contract Customers only. Customers may arrange for pick-up by calling 1 888 550-6333.
This option is available to Customers using “Account” as a method of payment for Parcel Services. Scheduled Pick-up is provided on business days only according to a mutually agreed-to schedule. To set up Scheduled Pick-up, the shipper must contact a Canada Post representative or call Customer Service at 1 888 550-6333. Customers may visit www.canadapost.ca/pick-up for a list of areas where Canada Post offers Scheduled Pick-up.
This option is available for a fee based on total volume shipped each week. It is offered at no additional charge for Customers who ship more than 120 items per week. The weekly volume of U.S.A. and International Parcel Services can be consolidated with the weekly volume of Domestic Parcel Services and counted towards the pick-up fee threshold.
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Regardless of whether account Customers have On-demand Pick-up or Scheduled Pick-up, they must call the Canada Post On-demand network at 1 888 550-6333 to advise that they have a Priority Worldwide shipment. The Customer Service representative will confirm if special arrangements are required to meet the Priority Worldwide cut-off times. Failure to advise Canada Post prior to pick-up may void the On-time Money-back Guarantee.
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8.9 | Electronic Customs Clearance |
Customers’ items may be cleared through Customs while in transit.
9 | Options | |
An option is a service enhancement which is not included automatically as part of the basic service. Most options are available for an additional fee. The available options are described below.
Delivery Updates is a free option that allows customers to request to receive email notifications whenever scan events occur on their barcoded items. Customers must select this option, enter a valid email address and select the event type in order to receive email notifications. This option is available to all customers using the following:
- www.canadapost.ca web page under “Track a Package”
- Electronic Shipping Tools (EST) - VCD desktop or online
- Third Party Shipping Systems
- Customer Developed Shipping Systems.
9.2 | Additional Declared Value for Carriage |
The maximum permitted Declared Value for Carriage:
- for a Priority Worldwide envelope or Pak is $100.
- for items of extraordinary value (e.g. jewellery, antiques, etc.) is $500
- for all other shipments is $1,000.
The maximum Declared Value for Carriage may also be further limited by regulatory limitations of the destination country. If the Customer declares a value for carriage higher than $100, an additional charge will be assessed for each $100 (or fraction thereof) by which the Declared Value for Carriage exceeds $100 or the Convention liability limit, whichever is applicable, up to the maximum amounts specified in the Priority Worldwide Terms and Conditions. Refer to the Priority Worldwide Terms and Conditions at www.canadapost.ca/generalterms for specific details.
A hard copy signature of the person who signed for the delivered item is available. This option is for the Customer who requires a hard copy of the name and signature of the person who signed for the item. Exceptions and conditions apply.
10 | Labels and Documentation Required | |
All items must bear a Priority Worldwide shipping label (completed in English or with an English translation). It is the shipper's sole responsibility to complete all sections of the Priority Worldwide shipping label.
All items must have the weight recorded on the Priority Worldwide shipping label. All shipments are subject to reweighing when processed. If the weight is not recorded on the documentation, then the weight recorded when the item is reweighed at processing will be applied, and rates adjusted if applicable.
10.1 | Non-document Requirements |
All non-document shipments must have a properly completed Invoice Declaration\Commercial Invoice. Commercial shippers (business customers) may submit a Commercial Invoice Declaration on their company letterhead with three (3) copies attached. Depending upon the contents, certain shipments may require additional customs documentation.
Documentation for non-document shipments must have the total value of the shipment in (Canadian) dollars for Customs purposes and the total declared value for carriage in (Canadian) dollars. The total declared value for carriage must not exceed the customs declared value.
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Canada Post employees are prohibited from signing the Priority Worldwide shipping label, Invoice Declaration/Commercial Invoice on behalf of the Customer.
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Contract Customers must submit a Manifest. For more details, contact a Canada Post Sales Representative at 1 888 550-6333.
FedEx or Customs authorities may open and inspect any shipment and its contents at any time.
Customers are responsible for obtaining and properly completing all required customs documentation and attaching to the shipment.
Clearance through Customs is executed by FedEx and requires the presentation of the shipment and accompanying paperwork to customs inspectors in the foreign destination. Delivery of a shipment is subject to the Customs regulations of the destination country.
Various regulatory clearances in addition to Customs clearance may be required for certain commodities and may extend the transit time for final delivery.
All items entering a foreign country are subject to Customs inspection and the assessment of duties and taxes in accordance with that country's national laws. Customs duties and taxes are assessed, generally, if the merchandise is dutiable and the value of the item is above the threshold set by the country's laws. If duties and taxes are assessed on an item shipped via Priority Worldwide service, they may be collected from the recipient prior to, or upon, delivery.
In order to complete clearance of certain items through Customs, FedEx may be required to pay certain duties and taxes assessed by customs officials in advance. FedEx may contact the recipient before clearance is complete to confirm the arrangements for reimbursement. In addition, for some countries, there may be an administrative fee that is collected from the recipient to cover the costs of clearing the item through customs and collecting duties and taxes.
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Shipments may be delayed if FedEx is not able to reach the recipient to confirm that FedEx will be reimbursed for any amounts advanced. If a recipient refuses to pay the duties and taxes, the sender may be contacted to make alternative arrangements.
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11 | Packaging | |
Priority Worldwide items must be securely wrapped with sufficient cushioning and reinforcing material to prevent loss of or damage to the contents and injury to persons handling the items.
All Priority Worldwide items must be completely sealed. FedEx has the right to open and inspect any shipment to ensure it does not contain prohibited or dangerous goods.
Sturdy outside packaging constructed of corrugated fibreboard, wood, metal or plastic must be used. The outside packaging should be large enough to accommodate the shipping label within the plastic pouch affixed to the item.
12 | Addressing | |
The address information on the Priority Worldwide shipping label must have all fields completed in English or have an English translation. The Priority Worldwide On-time Money-Back Guarantee does not apply to shipments not properly addressed or that do not have a valid sender and recipient telephone number.
The item must meet the applicable requirements for addressing for U.S.A. and International destinations as specified in the “Addressing Guidelines” chapter. If the item does not meet the requirements, the shipment will be held and may be returned to the sender.
The following international destinations require a complete Postal Code. Failure to provide a complete address may void the On-time Money-Back Guarantee.
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- United Kingdom (Great Britain)
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13 | Deposit of Priority Worldwide Items | |
Customers can deposit Priority Worldwide items at any one of the following locations:
- Post Office: during advertised hours of acceptance.
- Canada Post Processing Facility: Items may be dropped off during normal business hours. Priority Worldwide items must be deposited with an authorized employee at a Receipt Verification Unit (where they exist). In certain remote communities/areas, a business shipper may be required to deposit Priority Worldwide items at a specific post office, if requested by Canada Post.
It is unacceptable to deposit Priority Worldwide items in street letter boxes, Fedex deposit boxes, parcel receptacles or other such mail receptacles. The on-time delivery guarantee shall not apply to Priority Worldwide items that are deposited in such receptacles and the item may be returned to sender.
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Customers depositing large volumes of Priority Worldwide items into any mail processing plant must contact their local sales representative beforehand to schedule such deposits.
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14 | Claims for Loss, Damage or Service Failure | |
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