NAMMU MEDIA GROUP
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 2, 2004

BACKGROUND
On August 27th, all NAMMU members were provided a copy of the announcement with the ruling made in favor of Canada Post Corporation, asserting the Corporation’s Exclusive Privilege extends to all Canadian originating letters weighing up to 500g, whether destined for delivery in Canada or outside of Canada. We asked for an impact assessment: if you use International mail services other than Canada Post for letters, or provide them, comments/issues/concerns should be conveyed to executive@nammu.org (Click here to review that announcement)

In 2003, Canada Post Corporation warned both letter consolidators as well as any users of these services that could be identified, of the infringement on the Exclusive Privilege, the consequences of the cost to Canada Post and in many cases to the mailer, and the risks Canada Post identified in terms of service. Generally, three types of International re-mail activity are identified: (Note: International destinations include the United States)

A-B-A Remail: Letters originating in Canada that (re)enter Canada with foreign postage, destined for a Canadian recipient. An obvious example is a financial institution in Ontario using the postage of a foreign administration on Lettermail items for delivery to Ontario customers, with a Canadian return address.
Canada Post has the right to refuse delivery of this mail until Canadian domestic postage is paid in full. These items do not meet the acceptance criteria of UPU (Universal Postal Union) regulations for inbound International mail.

A-B-C Remail: Letters originating in Canada, shipped to a second country (or just using) that postal administration’s postage, destined for a third country.

A-B Remail: Letters originating in Canada and inducted directly into the destination postal administration, using foreign postage.

NEW
Given the recency of the judgement and confusion in the mailing community, NAMMU petitioned Canada Post and the Minister Responsible for Canada Post on September 1, to re-open the appeal period for the International rates and conditions, proposed in the Canada Gazette of June 26. The appeal period closed August 25. NAMMU has requested a 30 day extension since it is unlikely mailers currently using other services would have scrutinized the proposed rates.
To view the International proposals, click here for the Canada Gazette. Then click on PART 1, then PROPOSED REGULATIONS. Your comments/issues should quickly be addressed to the Regulatory Affairs designated respondent, and if you wish, copy NAMMU. The appeal period extension has not been confirmed, however, it seems a fair business practice given the conditions.

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Your comments/issues/concerns will form part of the impact assessment NAMMU is preparing on behalf of its members. Questions: executive@nammu.org