International Mail Backlog in Canada

Dateline: 10/19/04

There is a long delay in the delivery of international mail in Canada due to a backlog in clearing Canada Customs in Vancouver, according to Canada Post. Parcels are currently taking about five weeks to get through Customs.

The Customs centre in Vancouver has more than 150,000 packages waiting to be processed. The backlog is putting a strain on equipment, tying up warehouse space, and generating about 160 complaint calls a day to Canada Post.

The Vancouver Customs clearing centre has been experiencing backlogs since August 2002.

There used to be five Customs clearing centres for mail coming into Canada - in Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto and Montreal. Early in 2004 the U.S. Postal Service stopped shipping to the Calgary and Winnipeg Customs centres because of a difficulty with flights. The Canada Border Services Agency closed the Winnipeg and Calgary Customs centres this spring, leaving only three Customs clearing centres.

The Canada Border Services Agency has told Canada Post that the backlog will be cleared in a month.

Questions about the late delivery of international mail should be directed to your local Canada Borders Services Agency office.