NOTICE TO ALL INTERNATIONAL (NON-CANADIAN) TRADERS:
From The Toronto Star, October 22, 2004
A birthday card addressed simply to "Grandma" won't make it across the border
now that Canada Post is enforcing stringent new rules on incoming international
mail.
From now on, her full name and address must be clearly spelled out and printed
in ink.
Citing security concerns, Canada Post is insisting that all mail from abroad must bear the complete name and address of both sender and recipient or it won't
be allowed in Canada.
Canada Post spokesperson John Caines said the postal service has increased its
vigilance in screening incoming mail to enforce rules adopted by Canada Customs
since June.
The U.S. postal service is telling its clerks that new addressing requirements
on all mail to Canada must be met.
U.S. postal service spokesperson Gerry McKiernan said, "Some of these
requirements include filling in the complete name of sender, including a middle
initial. ... Mail addressed to `Grandma' and `Aunt June' for instance will
probably be returned."