Collect on Delivery (C.O.D.)

1	What’s In This Chapter

The following sections are covered in this chapter:

2

What Is Collect on Delivery (C.O.D.)?

to top of page

Collect on Delivery (domestic) is an option available with the following services:

• Priority Courier
• Xpresspost
• Expedited Parcel
• Regular Parcel.

Collect on Delivery is a domestic service by which an amount due to the sender is collected by Canada Post upon delivery, on behalf of the sender. The amount and method of payment must be specified by the sender.

Before the item is handed over to the addressee or his representative, the addressee or his representative must pay the Collect on Delivery amount as specified by the sender on the Collect on Delivery form. The sender may include in the amount of Collect on Delivery charges:

• the value of the item
• service charges in the case of repairs
• sales taxes
• postage
• Collect on Delivery fee and special service fees, when applicable.

When the addressee of the package pays with cash, Canada Post will collect up to a maximum of $1,000 and will send a Money Order to the sender.

When the addressee of the package pays by cheque, post-dated cheque, traveller’s cheque or Money Order, Canada Post will collect up to a maximum of $25,000. The amount collected is then forwarded to the sender. Cheques, traveller’s cheques and Money Orders must be payable to the sender.

3

Unacceptable Items

to top of page

Items not ordered or requested by the addressee are considered unacceptable items.

Collect on Delivery service must not be used to collect an amount owed on a previous transaction.

4

Size and Weight

to top of page

Size and weight is governed by the service to which Collect on Delivery is applied.

5

Pricing Information

to top of page

To obtain information on pricing:

• see Canada Post Prices
• see Small Business Prices.

6

Payment Options

to top of page

6.1	Proofs of Payment

Table 1 lists the acceptable proofs of payment for purchasing Collect on Delivery only if payment is made in an non-automated office.

6.2	Methods of Payment

Table 2 lists the acceptable methods of payment for purchasing Collect on Delivery. Some restrictions or conditions may apply.

Collect on Delivery items over $500 must be picked up by the addressee, unless they are payable by cheque.

For more information, see section 4.6 “Pay for the Item” of the “ABCs of Mailing” chapter.

7

Service Standards at a Glance

to top of page

Service standards are governed by the service to which Collect on Delivery is applied.

8

Features

to top of page

A feature is something that is provided as part of the basic service. The available features are described below.

8.1	Delivery Confirmation (Tracking)

This feature provides positive confirmation that the C.O.D. item and remittance arrived at their destination. Upon delivery, or attempted delivery the item ID (identification) number is scanned and the date captured. This information should be available by noon the next business day following delivery via an automated phone response system by calling 1-888-550-6333 and via the Internet.

8.2	Coverage for Loss or Damage

Coverage of up to $100 is included in the fee for Collect on Delivery items. Certain items are excluded. The value of the item must be declared on the shipping documentation. See General Terms and Conditions at www.canadapost.ca/generalterms for more information.

9

Options

to top of page

An option is a service enhancement which is not included automatically as part of the basic service. The Customer must select the option by checking a box or affixing an additional label or sticker. Most options are available for an additional fee. The available options are described below.

9.1

Signature

Provided the Signature option was purchased at the time of shipping, delivery information will be available at no additional charge, usually by noon on the business day following delivery. This delivery information can be obtained on Canada Post’s website, from the Customer Relationship Support group at 1-888-550-6333 or via the Electronic Shipping Tools (EST) software. Some exceptions apply in smaller centres.

If the addressee or his/her representative refuses to sign for the item, Canada Post will ask the addressee to print his name in block letters. If the addressee refuses, Canada Post will deliver the item and indicate “SIGNATURE REFUSED” in the Signature box.

9.2	Signature Copy

If the Signature option was purchased at the time of shipping and if a signature was captured at the time of delivery, a secured signature image will be available, at no additional charge, on Canada Post’s website. A hard copy of the signature is also available, for a fee, by calling the Customer Relationship Support group at 1-888-550-6333. The Signature Copy will be sent to the Customer via Lettermail or by facsimile within three (3) business days of the Customer’s request.

9.3	Additional Coverage

Additional Coverage is available up to $5,000 for Collect on Delivery items. Certain exceptions apply. The value of the item must be declared on the shipping documentation. See General Terms and Conditions at www.canadapost.ca/generalterms for more information.

10

Labels and Documentation Required

to top of page

Every item must bear a Collect On Delivery label.

The C.O.D. label (33-086-397) can be used as both a commercial and counter label when shipping Regular Parcel items. It can be over-labelled with a service sticker when Priority Courier, Xpresspost or Expedited Parcel service is used. This 3-part label contains a bar-coded remittance label, a record of delivery copy and a customer receipt along with the shipping label.

The C.O.D. label (33-086-414) is for Commercial Customers only. This label is pre-printed with the Expedited Parcel service indicator but can also be over-labelled with service stickers. This 2-part label contains a bar-coded remittance label and a record of delivery copy.

All Commercial Customers must complete a Bulk Manifest (33-086-565) in conjunction with the applicable C.O.D. label and the shipper’s signature is required on the hard copy Manifest, where specified. The completed Manifest must be given to the authorized postal employee at the time of mailing for verification and distribution of the various copies.

The automated thermal C.O.D. label can be used by Commercial Customers who ship using Electronic Shipping Tools. It is only available to Customers who ship using a thermal label printer. This 3-part label contains a C.O.D. address label, a record of delivery and a remittance label.

11

Format

to top of page

No wording indicating that the item can be examined before acceptance by the addressee may appear on the Collect on Delivery item. The addressee may, however, be informed of the sender’s name.

12

Addressing

to top of page

All Collect on Delivery items must bear a complete address including a correct postal code. See the chapter “Addressing Guidelines” for more information.

All Collect on Delivery items must bear a Canadian return address.

13

Deposit of Collect on Delivery Items

to top of page

The Customer can deposit Collect on Delivery items at any of the following locations:

• at a post office
• at a processing plant.

14

Delivery of Collect on Delivery Items

to top of page

To the door (some exceptions apply).

14.1	Hold Period for Collect on Delivery Items

The hold period for Collect on Delivery items is 15 days (30 days for northern addresses). Once the holding period has expired, unclaimed Collect on Delivery items are deemed undeliverable and returned to the sender.