Drop your mail off at your local post office or in the large red street receptacles but not at the community mailbox where you pick up mail.

The community mailbox is designed for “standard” lettermail, not “large/oversize” envelope. The red metal rain guard is intentionally designed on an angle to deter large items and this leads to some confusion. The box is not too big, it is where you are trying to mail it.

Know that the “20mm” size requirement is for the processing of mail at the CP facilities, not for the receptacles where you drop your mail off.

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1) Google the address to confirm if address is a house or condo. A missing unit number is usually why mail is returned to sender.If google shows you an apartment building, reach out to your customer and ask for a unit number.

2) Take a photo with the postage and address on the envelope. This will be very helpful in the event there is an issue with delivery.

3) Ensure your return address is in top left hand corner when sending. In the event the mail is undeliverable, Canada Post will return it back to you free of charge.

If you require tracking here are 3 good options for mailing the SLOTBOX with tracking within Canada.

1) “Registered Mail” Canada Post. This is add-on option. There is the added bonus of proof of delivery with signature and $100 insurance. Often a cheaper option than regular or Expedited parcel. For mailing within Canada only. You don’t need to sign up with an account and is available to anyone. Must be done in person at the post office.

It is an additional $13.15 on top of your Oversize lettermail postage. Under 20mm / Max weight 500g.

2) “SATCHEL” with Sendle. It requires you to sign up but the standard account is free and you don’t have to be a business. Mail with Sendle almost anywhere in Canada. Rates vary on destination, but a great option usually under $16 ($24 remote). Satchel Max Weight 500g within Canada / but can be over 20mm thick.

3) Chit Chat “Slims” offers tracking until it reaches the city of delivery. Then it is handed over to Canada Post for the final leg of delivery. For mailing within Canada only. This service is for Business Accounts with Chit Chats so will not work for those who are not a small business. Rates vary based on destination, but usually under $13. Max weight 283g / under 20mm.

There is no tracking with Lettermail, but it is very rare for mail to not reach its destination. In the event it cannot be delivered, Canada Post will “Return To Sender” Lettermail back to you Free of Charge. Just make sure your return address is clearly labeled in top left hand corner of envelope.

A requirement for Canada Post machinable mail is the box is to be enclosed in an envelope - for ease of box into / protect the mail processing machinery.

This being said, Canada Post has been known to accept a box not in an envelope if it meets all the size requirements and is taped securely closed. Mailing the box not in an envelope is entirely at the discretion of Canada Post. If you wish to mail without an envelope, have a CP associate accept it into their system.

The Slotbox always recommends the use an envelope. This way you can skip the post office line-up and drop off in a street receptacle and your customer will have a nice little gift box to reuse!