I have a small package I need to send to Canada and as well as I can recall, I’ve never done so in the past. So my dilemma is this; I have the person’s address but only the handle they use online. Do I need their actual name to fill out a customes slip or anything? The reason I ask is that I’d like to get this item to them as soon as possible, but as of yet I haven’t been able to contact them although I’ve tried repeatedly.
Can anyone give me some help on this? Otherwise, I’m at a loss for what to do.
To the best of my knowledge you don’t need a real name; that’s mainly used so the recipient can identify that it is for them. As long as the address and postal code are correct you should be good to go.
If they happen to have a questionable alias however, like say, “Al Cayda,” don’t be surprised if it gets held up in customs.
I had a look at the Canada Post web site and found nothing on recipient names, but I also seem to recall a news report within the past year or two (no cites, sorry) stating that Canada Post will no longer deliver incoming international mail without a proper name given for the recipient. This means no more addressing letters or packages to “Aunt Mary,” “Grandpa Smith,” or presumably, “Faithfool’s Buddy’s Username.”
I’d suggest playing it safe and continue trying to get their name. I know there is a reverse phone number lookup at Canada411.com (if you have a phone number); or there may be other tools out there that perform the same task for addresses. Which city/town is your package going to? Maybe a Doper local to that place can offer some help.
You could always make up a name. Canada Post neither knows nor cares who lives at a particular residential address; they don’t exactly keep a database or anything. I think they do need a name of some sort though so their OCR scanners can properly sort the mail, which necessitates it being able to parse out what the labels say, starting with a person’s name.
Of course, it’s always best to get the full name just to make sure they don’t mistake it for a misdelivered package and try to return to sender, but in a pinch…
It correctly found the name associated with my address. As long as your recipient has a phone number listed in the phone book, this will probably find it.
One thing to consider - your recipient might have a “Super mailbox” - those annoying boxes where the whole neighbourhood goes to pick up the mail. If the package does not fit in the box, the recipient may have to pick it up at the post office using photo ID in the same name as the package. No matching ID, no package for you!
Ah, I see Canadiangirl has checked in and all is right with the world. Thanks so much to everyone for your help. I was at a loss for what else to do and didn’t want her to go without her item. Now that’s all cleared up, could some passing mod please close my thread. We’re all done here.
Canada Post neither knows nor cares who lives at a particular residential address; they don’t exactly keep a database or anything. I think they do need a name of some sort though so their OCR scanners can properly sort the mail, which necessitates it being able to parse out what the labels say, starting with a person’s name.