posted on January 23, 2001 10:43:15 AM new
It is not shown on the website--and it is normally just offered to publishers---but it is available to anyone---so go harrass your local postal clerk
posted on January 23, 2001 02:50:51 PM new
Zazzie:
Sounds interesting but if it's not on the Canada Post web site, then where can I find out more info on this (rates, weights, cost, speed of shipping etc...)?
posted on January 23, 2001 04:13:35 PM new
I did check about M bags for an international order but the post office people ( who have been great and are a super bunch of people!) said it didn't exist!
posted on January 23, 2001 05:07:19 PM new
M-Bags doesn't stand for Mail Bag---the M stands for ''même destinaire.'--which means everything in the bag goes to the same address --so there is no sorting to be done.
--and it is in French because in 1875 when M-bags were invented by UPN--'Universal Postal Union'--the International language of business was French.
It does exist in Canada--you just have to convince your postal clerk of it.---I'm not making it up --REALLY!! So lets all play Sherlock and find some more info in this
You may have to have a business account with Canada Post to qualify.
Below is a copy of a letter I got from "Bookscanada" mailing list
"Perhaps Biblians will be interested in a little background on the M-Bags. They are a rate for 'printed papers: books, sheet music, newspapers, and periodicals' which was worked out by the oldest and (possibly) the most effective international organization in the world, the Universal Postal Union or UPU which was founded in
1875.
Their is a requirement, by international convention, to put a large letter 'M' on the stiff tag label (rigid canvas, strong cardboard, plastic material, or paper glued to wood) that is attached to the bag
through a strong eyelet. Why an 'M' you may well ask? Well, the language of international agreements in 1875 and for some time thereafter was French and M signifies 'même destinaire.' [If your
reader does not show the second letter, it is e-circumflex]. This means 'same addressee.'
The Canadian version of M-Bag is very similar to the American except that it is the same for every country outside of Canada, including USA, and the one rate is C$ 6.80 for the first kilogram (=U$ 4.53 for the first 2.2 lb at a conversion of 1.50) plus C$ 2.65 per kilo thereafter. There is no minimum, other than the initial 1 kg.
The 11 lb figure in the US rate is no mere coincidence, for it is an almost perfect equivalent to the UPU's 5 kg change point. Those intrepid booksellers who get their local postal clerks to believe this rate (be gentle) will rejoice to know that there are two even more beneficial rates (in Canada at least) and they are: books mailed by
public libraries, and literature for the blind the last one of which is rated as 'free' to any destination in the world. And, no. Large-print books need not apply."
posted on January 23, 2001 05:55:40 PM new
Thanks Zazzie
I've asked my local Post Office about a business account and they had no clue what I was talking about. I can find nothing on the web site regarding what is required to qualify for a business account. Can someone enlighten me please?
posted on January 23, 2001 07:26:14 PM new
If Eastwest is around ---he can fill you in on having a business account. I do know that your postage is a bit cheaper and you get an extra mailing rate within Canada called "Expediated Parcel"--which costs a little bit more than Regular Parcel but travels faster and has tracking and $100.00 insurance included.
You submit by manifest--you just drop your packages off at the post office--hand them your manifest where you have filled in the code for the weights (you need a scale) and then you get billed once a month.
I'm going to call them tomorrow and ask about M-bags, and setting up an account---but I mail so much out of the States now, I don't know if it would be worth the bother.
