I have looked everywhere but I can't seem to find an answer to this..
If I wanted to mail, say some potato chips ( in a parcel ), from
Canada to the United States. Is this allowed??
All the US Postal and Customs sites do not have any information on
this.
Thank you in advance.

---

Clarification of Question by steph53-ga on 04 Mar 2003 03:00 PST

Thanks to all for your help.

I did call Canada Post and spoke to a real live person and yes it is
legal.
Hummer, you seemed to hit the nail on the head ( or chip ...lol ) so
please post your comment as an answer !!! Thanks..

Take care,

Steph53

Hi again steph53, 

Glad to hear all went well with your person in blue and that your
chips will soon be enjoying warmer temperatures. I've never shipped
chips but they will be a bit tricky - make sure they have lots of
cushioning!

Here is my answer - thank you for asking for it.

Sincerely,
hummer
----------------
 
You have asked two questions, 1) Is it acceptable to mail food using
Canada Post? and 2) Can food be legally exported to the US?  The
answer to both of your questions is "yes" with certain exceptions. I
have a business account with Canada Post and can say without a doubt
that it is permissible to mail food, especially dry goods. Liquids and
perishable goods require special preparation and anything with an
offensive odor will not be accepted, but canned foods, baked goods,
candy, etc. are all acceptable.
 
US Customs doesn't have any problem with food either as long as you
clearly mark on the package what is inside and its value. You'll be
given a little green sticker to fill out asking for the "Detailed
description of Contents", if it's a "Gift or Sample of Merchandise"
and the "Value" (in Canadian funds). It's up to you to pack the item
well so your chips or cookies don't arrive as crumbs, but other than
that, you'll be fine. Both Canadians and Americans cross-border shop
all the time and groceries are a favorite item. Whether sent by mail
or brought over the border by car, the same rules apply.
 
Try to keep your package under 1kg because then it can go as a "Small
Packet" which is the least cost shipping to any State - anything over
1kg and the price rises quickly. Right now a 1kg small packet parcel
to the States costs $7.40 surface and $9.90 for airmail (500g is $4.25
& $5.60). They do measure the parcels and if it's too large relative
to its weight, they'll bump the weight up. For example, your bag of
chips may only weigh 500g but if the box is 30cm x 20cm x 10cm , they
would charge you for 1kg. Just something to keep in mind when you are
wrapping it up, and remember, there is no such thing as overwrapping!
 
As far as getting in touch with Canada Post, I would suggest phoning
your local post office rather than emailing - it would be much
quicker!
 
Sincerely, 
hummer

Thanks hummer!!!!!!!

Steph,

Sorry I can't give you a definite' thumbs-up' or 'thumbs-down'. All I
have to offer is a 'thumbs maybe.'

I found this under "Non-mailable Matter" in the Canada Postal Guide:

Perishable Items
Fish, game, meat, fruit, vegetables, perishable biological substances
or other perishable items must be properly prepared and meet
applicable requirements for mailing.

Liquids, Liquefiable Substances and Powders
Liquids, liquefiable substances, fatty substances and powders,
provided they are otherwise mailable substances, must be properly
prepared and meet applicable requirements for mailing.

http://www.canadapost.ca/tools/pg/manual/b07-E.asp

Food items cannot be sent as 'Lettermail':

http://www.canadapost.ca/personal/offerings/lettermail/can/about_faqs-e.asp#4

I know that it is possible to mail food from Canada to the US, since I
am a regular customer of E.D. Foods, a Canadian supplier of the
world's most delectable dried soups (shameless plug.)

I suggest that you contact Canada Post by phone or email to discuss
precisely what kind of food you want to mail, and what sort of
packaging is required in order for it to be considered 'properly
prepared' by their standards.

http://www.canadapost.ca/personal/corporate/about/contact_us/customer-e.asp

~pinkfreud

Thanks Pinkfreud...

I have sent an e-mail to Canada Post.....hopefully they will reply ...
LOL
( mail is slow up here so responses probably are too )
I'll keep you posted and if I get my answer from them you can post
your comment as an answer as I never thought to contact them. I
thought it was a US concern.

Thanks!!!

Hi steph53,

You have asked two questions, 1) Is it acceptable to mail food using
Canada Post? and 2) Can food be legally exported to the US?  The
answer to both of your questions is "yes" with certain exceptions. I
have a business account with Canada Post and can say without a doubt
that it is permissible to mail food, especially dry goods. Liquids and
perishable goods require special preparation and anything with an
offensive odor will not be accepted, but canned foods, baked goods,
candy, etc. are all acceptable.

US Customs doesn't have any problem with food either as long as you
clearly mark on the package what is inside and its value. You'll be
given a little green sticker to fill out asking for the "Detailed
description of Contents", if it's a "Gift or Sample of Merchandise"
and the "Value" (in Canadian funds). It's up to you to pack the item
well so your chips or cookies don't arrive as crumbs, but other than
that, you'll be fine. Both Canadians and Americans cross-border shop
all the time and groceries are a favorite item. Whether sent by mail
or brought over the border by car, the same rules apply.

Try to keep your package under 1kg because then it can go as a "Small
Packet" which is the least cost shipping to any State - anything over
1kg and the price rises quickly. Right now a 1kg small packet parcel
to the States costs $7.40 surface and $9.90 for airmail (500g is $4.25
& $5.60). They do measure the parcels and if it's too large relative
to its weight, they'll bump the weight up. For example, your bag of
chips may only weigh 500g but if the box is 30cm x 20cm x 10cm , they
would charge you for 1kg. Just something to keep in mind when you are
wrapping it up, and remember, there is no such thing as overwrapping!

As far as getting in touch with Canada Post, I would suggest phoning
your local post office rather than emailing - it would be much
quicker!

Sincerely,
hummer

Thanks Hummer...

I just got an automated e-mail back from Canada Post..." due to the
large
e-mail requests.....blah blah blah....."
I will use the good old fashioned telephone tomorrow to ask......that
is if they don't put me on " sit and rot "..........LOL

U would get a beeter reply from UPS or fedex and i believe the same
rules should apply to canadapost as well