What are Controlled Items?

controlled items

Controlled items are products that are acceptable and can be mailed. They should be prepared appropriately, meet the pertinent requirements for mailing, and comply with government regulations.

Tobacco and Vaping Products

Tobacco and vaping products are non-mailable from one region or province to another. For more information, you can check the Tobacco and Vaping Products Act.

Firearms

A customer who wishes to ship firearms should contact the Canadian Firearms Center  to determine whether it is permissible to ship them or not. You can also call 1-800-731-4000.

Intoxicating Beverages

Customers can only ship intoxicating beverages within Canada through Solutions for Small Business Cardholders and Parcel Services contract customers. However, they must meet the following requirements:

The customer should use the Electronic Shipping Tools (EST) and choose the “PROOF OF AGE” (18-19) option. The legal age for certain products may vary by region or province. For further information, see the Importation of Intoxicating Liquors Act.

Drugs and Other Controlled Substances

Drugs, narcotics and other controlled substances are regulated by the Food and Drugs Act and Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

Information on Cannabis for medical purposes or Cannabis Act and Regulations can be accessed through the Department of Justice’s website.

Medical or Biological Materials

Customers must ensure that the medical or biological materials they wish to ship are not poisonous, infectious or prohibited under the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, Food and Drugs Act or any applicable law.

The products must meet all packaging and labeling requirements. For more information on biological or, medical materials see Section 2.2.5 Liquid and dry patient specimens (human or animal) of ABCs of Mailing.

Perishable Items

Perishable materials must be prepared appropriately to meet all requirements for mailing. For more information see Section 2.1 Suggestions for how to package and wrap items of ABCs of Mailing.

Liquids, Liquefiable Substances, and Powders

Liquids, fatty substances, liquefiable substances, and powders must be prepared appropriately and meet all requirements for mailing. For more information on wrapping products and packaging see Section 2.1 Suggestions for how to wrap and package items.

Animals

Customers wishing to ship live animals must meet certain conditions and enter a related agreement with Canada Post before mailing. For more information see see Section 2.2 Requirements for how to wrap and package specific items.

Plants

The movement of certain fruits, seeds, plant parts, bark, and the soil is regulated by the Convention on International Trade and The Plant Protection Act.

For more information contact the following:

• CANADIAN FOOD INSPECTION AGENCY
• CANADIAN WILDLIFE SERVICE
• PLANT HEALTH DIVISION
• ENVIRONMENT CANADA
• PERMIT OFFICE
• 59 CAMELOT DR
• 351 BOUL ST JOSEPH
• OTTAWA ON K1A 0Y9
• GATINEAU QC K1A 0H3

Prohibited Items

These are products that can never be mailed under any circumstances. The items include parcels whose contents are highly flammable, radioactive, explosive or dangerous. For further information, see Section 6.2 Other Miscellaneous Prohibited Items.

Replica or Inert Munitions

These items cannot be mailed under any circumstances. Whether they are for display purposes or not. They include replica and simulate munitions, explosive devices, military munitions, inert grenades, etc.

Dangerous Goods

Dangerous goods are non-mailable products. Canada Post does not accept packages that contain dangerous products, as defined by the Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDGR). For more information on whether an item is a dangerous product.