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Hold Mail

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Last updated: 2008-04-14

1

What’s In This Chapter

The following sections are covered in this chapter:

2

What Is Hold Mail?

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Hold Mail is a service which enables Customers to have their mail held by Canada Post because they are going on an extended holiday or will be away from their home or their business for a period of time. The service is accessible at  www.canadapost.ca or at any post office.

3

Pricing Information

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To obtain information on pricing:

4

Payment Options

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4.1

Proofs of Payment

Table 1 lists the acceptable proofs of payment for Hold Mail service only if payment is made in an non-automated office.

Table 1: Hold Mail Proofs of Payment
Commercial Customer
Consumer Customer
  • meter impression
  • postage stamp

4.2

Methods of Payment

Table 2 lists the acceptable methods of payment for Change of Address Service. Some restrictions or conditions may apply.

Table 2: Hold Mail Methods of Payment
Commercial Customer
Consumer Customer
  • business cheque
  • cash
  • credit card (where available)
  • Debit card (where available)
  • money order
  • cash
  • certified cheque
  • credit card (where available)
  • debit card (where available)
  • money order
NOTE :
If the Customer buys the Hold Mail service via the Internet, payment must be made by credit card.

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

5

Request to Hold Mail Form

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Customers must complete a Request to Hold Mail form which can be obtained from any post office. Current, valid, original personal Customer identification issued by a government department or other reputable source which has the Customers photograph must be provided to purchase a Hold Mail service. For example, Customers can use identification such as their driver’s license, passport, record of landing, permanent resident card, certificate of Canadian Citizenship, or a certificate of Indian status, if the personal identification does not have the applicable address, additional identification/documentation is required.

The Customer can also purchase Hold Mail service at www.canadapost.ca and will receive confirmation of his request by email.

A maximum of four (4) individuals, four (4) families, or two (2) businesses (or a combination of two (2) family names and two (2) businesses) can use this form. When a business and individual or family share the same form, the business fee applies.

NOTE :
"Family" is to be used when all individuals are moving to the new address. Up to four family names can be identified on the same Change of Address Notification form. "Individual" is to be used only when some individuals at the old address are moving to the new address. The first name and family name of each individual moving to the new address (max. of four individual names) must be identified on the form.

6

Service Features

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The service is available for various periods of time depending on the type of Customer (residential, business, or school). The minimum fee for residential Customers is the 10 business days price and the minimum fee for businesses is the 5 business days price. However, Hold Mail service can be requested for a shorter period of time. The service can be renewed, providing the renewal is requested before the expiry date of the service. The renewal fee will be based on the current service fee at the time of renewal.

Interim pick-up during Hold Mail Period: For interim mail pick-up during the Hold Mail period, proper identification is required (e.g. government issued photo ID). If acting on behalf of another person (organization), proof of authorization is also required.

Schools may combine Hold Mail service with Change of Address Service. Service to schools is based on an annual fee.

6.1

Expiry or Cancellation

A Customer can renew, amend or cancel the Hold Mail service at any time by presenting the receipt at any post office. However, no refund will be granted once the service has commenced.

When the Hold Mail service expires or is cancelled, normal mail delivery resumes and the held mail is delivered to the Customer’s address. If the volume of held mail is too great to be placed in the mail receptacle, a Delivery Notice card is left and the Customer is required to pick up the mail at the post office.

6.2

Restrictions

A Hold Mail request cannot be accepted if the Customer receives mail through, or in care of, an institution such as a business, hotel, motel, rooming house, nursing home, hospital, school or similar institution, through a privately managed postal box, or if the Customer shares a postal address (where several businesses share a common postal address).

In cases of dissolved partnerships, marriages, etc., if there is a dispute over who should receive the mail, a joint written agreement, signed by both parties, will be required.

Parcels (e.g., Priority Courier™, Xpresspost™, Expedited Parcel™ and Regular Parcel™) may be delivered and/or carded during the “Hold” period. Customers expecting any parcel deliveries should advise the sender(s) to delay shipping until their return.

6.3

Right of Refusal

Canada Post reserves the right to refuse to hold mail and to end the arrangement at any time.

6.4

Privacy Act

The use of Customer information gathered by Canada Post is governed by the Privacy Act.

7

Enquiries

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General enquiries concerning the Hold Mail service should be directed to the Customer Relationship Support group at www.canadapost.ca/contactus or by phone at 1-800-267-1177.

8

Addressing

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The request must be supported by a Request to Hold Mail form that includes a legible and complete address with the correct postal code. See the chapter “Addressing Guidelines” for more information.




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