Mail Preparation and Presortation Guide NDG Presort

Mail Preparation and
Presortation Guide
NDG Presort
• Addressed Admail:
Short and Long (S/L) and Oversize (O/S)
• Publications Mail:
Short and Long (S/L) and Oversize (O/S)
Effective January 14, 2013
Trade-mark of Canada Post Corporation. OM Official mark of Canada Post Corporation.
canadapost.ca/mailpreparation
T455016

Mail Preparation and Presortation Guide – NDG Presort
IMPORTANT UPDATES
Any description of change is provided for reference and convenience purposes only. The
description of change does not form part of the Agreement between the Customer and Canada
Post.
Customers should ensure they are using the most current version of the Mail Preparation and Presortation Guide,
including all amendments and other applicable documents, which are posted on the Canada Post website. See in
particular, canadapost.ca/postalservices for key support documents.
Important Updates:
AMENDMENT/REVISION POSTED DATE EFFECTIVE DATE
Revision v1.2 Posted on April 10, 2013 Effective on June 14, 2013
The 2D barcode label is now available through your SERP recognized presortation Throughout document.
software.
Introduced Letterflatainer (LFT) as an acceptable container. Section 2.2.1.1
Table 9
Section 5.1
Revision v1.1 Posted on December 14, 2012 Effective on January 14, 2013
Notice: The 2D bar code requirement has been POSTPONED until further notice. Throughout document.
Please continue to use the existing labels.
Amendment v1.0 Posted on November 16, 2012 Effective on January 14, 2013
Updated preserving integrity of mail preparation with a recommendation to add Section 3.3.3
packing material when using bundle strapping as a separation method for any
containers less than full.
Introduced new optional 2D barcoded container label and shipping unit for Customers Section 3.3.4
using SERP software to prepare their NDG Presort mailings.
Updates on depositing mail, deposit locations and deposit types. Section 4.1
Section 4.2
Updated Do-It-Yourself checklist to reflect:
Section 5.1
• using packing to fill less than full containers to preserve integrity of mail preparation
NOTE : This amendment updates the January 16, 2012 version 1.0 guide.
When there is an amendment or a revision to the document, the version number will be modified as follows:
• an amendment increases the first digit in the version (e.g., version 2.0, 3.0)
• a revision increases the second digit in the version (e.g., version 1.1, 1.2)
• the version number restarts at 1.0 every January of a given year.
January 14, 2013 Version 1.2

TABLE OF CONTENTS
NDG Presort . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1 Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1.1 Who Should Use This Guide? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1.2 What is NDG Presort? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1.3 Key Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
2 Before You Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2.1 Presort Elements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2.1.1 Postal Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2.1.2 National Presortation Schematic (NPS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2.2 Containerization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2.2.1 Acceptable Containers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.2.1.1 Acceptable Canada Post-Supplied Containers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.2.1.2 Acceptable Cardboard Lettertainers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.2.1.3 Acceptable Customer-Supplied Cardboard Boxes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.2.2 Acceptable Shipping Units (Monotainers and Pallets) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.3 Creating Orders (Statements of Mailing) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3 Mail Preparation and Presortation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3.1 Sequencing Mail Items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
3.2 Grouping Mail Items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
3.2.1 Levels of Groupings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
3.2.2 Separating Groupings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
3.2.3 Identifying DCF, FCP and Residue Groupings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
3.3 Placing Groupings in Containers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
3.3.1 Levels of Containers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
3.3.2 Filling Containers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
3.3.3 Preserving Integrity of Mail Preparation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
3.3.4 Labelling Containers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
3.4 Placing Containers into Shipping Units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
3.4.1 Levels of Shipping Units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
3.4.2 Filling Shipping Units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
3.4.3 Securing Pallets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
3.4.4 Labelling Shipping Units. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
4 Deposit Sites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
4.1 Deposit Location Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
4.2 Maximum Volumes Acceptable Per Day, by Deposit Location Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
5 Additional Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
5.1 Do-it-Yourself Checklist For Preparing NDG Presort Mailings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
5.2 Using a Spreadsheet Application to Sequence Your Mailing List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Mail Preparation and Presortation Guide Version 1.2 Page i January 14, 2013

NDG PRESORT
1 OVERVIEW
1.1 Who Should Use This Guide?
This guide explains how to prepare NDG Presort mailings for the following services:
• Addressed Admail: Short and Long (S/L) and Oversize (O/S)
• Publications Mail: Short and Long (S/L) and Oversize (O/S).
Please ensure you are using the most recent version of this guide and other support documents that detail our
requirements, qualifications, terms and conditions, and pricing. These documents are available online at
canadapost.ca/postalservices.
It is your obligation to meet all the requirements outlined in your Customer Agreement.
NOTE 1: Some words and expressions used in this document have a specific meaning. Please refer to Section 1
"Definitions" of the General Terms and Conditions for the definition of specific terms referenced
throughout this document and the Agreement.
2: The figures in this document are used for illustration only.
1.2 What is NDG Presort?
NDG Presort is a mail preparation and presortation option that allows mailers to manually sort their mail items
according to the National Presortation Schematic (NPS).
“NDG” stands for the “National Distribution Guide”, which is the former name of the National Presortation
Schematic (NPS) [see Section 2.1.2 "National Presortation Schematic (NPS)"]. When NDG was changed to NPS,
the term NDG Presort was kept for operational reasons.
1.3 Key Requirements
To qualify for the NDG Presort option, your mailings must:
• consist of items that meet the requirements specified in the applicable Canada Post Non-machineable Postal
Standards guide
• be presorted as per the National Presortation Schematic (NPS)
• be accompanied by Orders (Statements of Mailing) prepared and submitted manually or by using Canada
Post’s Electronic Shipping Tools (EST)
• consist of:
for Addressed Admail mailings: at least 1,000 items* per Order (Statement of Mailing)
for Publications Mail mailings:
• at least 50 items per Order (Statement of Mailing) for mailings comprised of NDG National items
(phantom pricing is available at the NDG National base price)
• no minimum volume requirement for mailings containing qualified NDG Regional** and/or Local
Rural items (even if some NDG National items are included on the Order (Statement of Mailing)
Mail Preparation and Presortation Guide Version 1.2 Page 1 January 14, 2013

Mail Preparation and Presortation Guide – NDG Presort
• be deposited in Canada for delivery in Canada
• meet all requirements and qualifications specified in your Customer Agreement and the applicable Customer
Guide.
* You may deposit less than the minimum volume provided you pay the applicable phantom price. The phantom price is only
available for single deposits – it is not available on partial mailings.
** In order to qualify for this price category, at least 50% of the total addressed copies in the mailing must be either Regional
or a combination of Local Rural and Regional. Otherwise, NDG National prices will apply to the nominal Regional portion of
the mailing.
2 BEFORE YOU START
NDG Presort mail must be presorted using the National Presortation Schematic (NPS). Here’s what that means:
2.1 Presort Elements
Mail Presortation is the process of sorting and grouping mail items bound for a common destination. Mail
presortation is based on the National Presortation Schematic (NPS) [see Section 2.1.2 "National Presortation
Schematic (NPS)"] and can be performed manually or by using presortation software recognized by Canada Post.
Mail presortation involves the following:
• sorting mail items by their Postal Code OM and according to the NPS
• grouping mail items by a common destination according to the NPS.
Mail Preparation is the process of preparing containers and shipping units for a common destination. It involves
labelling groupings, containers and shipping units in such a way that Canada Post can bypass various processing
steps and facilities within its mail distribution network.
2.1.1 POSTAL CODE
Mail presortation requires sorting mail items by Postal Code. The Postal Code is a six-character alphanumeric code
in the form of ANA NAN, in which “A” represents a letter of the alphabet, and “N” represents a number. It is an
integral part of every postal address in Canada, and was designed to help sort mail, both mechanically and
manually.
The Postal Code is made up of two (2) segments, as shown in Figure 1:
1. The first three characters (ANA) represent the Forward Sortation Area (FSA), a geographical region, and
2. The last three characters (NAN) represent the Local Delivery Unit (LDU), a specific city block or rural
community.
NOTE: Rural areas are identified by a zero in the FSA (e.g., M0L 3K2).
Figure 1: Postal Code Segments
FSA
LDU
January 14, 2013 Version 1.2 Page 2

Mail Preparation and Presortation Guide – NDG Presort
The first character of the Postal Code identifies one of the 18 major geographic areas, provinces or districts (see
Figure 2).
Figure 2: Major Geographic Areas Identified by the First Character of the Postal Code
Y
Yukon
X
Northwest
Territories
X
Nunavut
Newfoundland and Labrador
A
V
T S R
G
(Eastern
Québec)
A
British
Columbia
Alberta
Saskatchewan
Manitoba
P
(Northern
Ontario)
N
(Southwestern
Ontario)
L
(Central
Ontario)
Ontario
J
(Western
Québec)
Québec
M
(Metropolitan
Toronto)
E
C
New
Brunswick
H
(Metropolitan
Montréal)
K
(Eastern
Ontario)
Prince Edward
Island
B
Nova Scotia
For more detailed information, please visit Section 5 of Addressing Guidelines in the Canada Postal Guide.
2.1.2 NATIONAL PRESORTATION SCHEMATIC (NPS)
The National Presortation Schematic (NPS) indicates how mail in Canada is distributed through specific Canada
Post facilities. It lists all Forward Sortation Areas (FSAs) and shows how to consolidate mail into groupings and
containers.
The four NPS levels of consolidation are (as shown in Figure 3):
NPS Level 1 – Delivery Facility (DF)
NPS Level 2 – City
NPS Level 3 – Distribution Centre Facility (DCF)
NPS Level 4 – Forward Consolidation Point (FCP)
Any mail items that cannot be consolidated to one (1) of these four levels will be consolidated as Residue.
January 14, 2013 Version 1.2 Page 3

Mail Preparation and Presortation Guide – NDG Presort
Figure 3: Illustration of the NPS
FSA LEVEL 1
DELIVERY FACILITY
(DF)
LEVEL 2
CITY
LEVEL 3
DISTRIBUTION CENTRE
FACILITY
(DCF)
LEVEL 4
FORWARD
CONSOLIDATION POINT
(FCP)
K2S
K0A
K2S 1A0
STITTSVILLE ON
K0A 9ZO
OTTAWA ON
DCF
K7K
K7L
K7M
K7N
K7P
K7L 1X0
KINGSTON ON
STN MAIN
K7M 5E0
KINGSTON ON
STN A
K7L 1X0
KINGSTON ON
K0H 9ZO
KINGSTON ON
DCF
K0A 9ZO
OTTAWA ON
FWD
K0H
K1P
K1R
K2P
K1L
K1M
K1N
K1G 2C0
OTTAWA ON
LCD CENTRETOWN
K1L 5A0
OTTAWA ON
STN VANIER
K1G 0A0
OTTAWA ON
NOTE:
Canada Post updates the NPS monthly to reflect the changing inventory of Canadian addresses. In order
to receive optimal service and avoid surcharges, you must ensure that you are using the most current
version of the NPS which can be found at canadapost.ca/nps.
2.2 Containerization
Containerization is the process of packaging the mail for shipment. Mail items are placed into containers suitable
for handling through Canada Post’s processes. These containers are then placed into shipping units (pallets or
monotainers) suitable for handling through our transportation network.
You may enquire about or order our equipment by contacting the National Equipment Container Facility (NECF)
Order Desk, by telephone at 905.565.0480, by fax at 905.564.6830, by email at necfteo@canadapost.ca or
through a Regional Equipment Coordinator.
Please note that Canada Post’s equipment may only be used when using Canada Post’s products or services. It
remains our exclusive property. Personal use is not permitted. You are responsible for ensuring that the
equipment remains in good condition, reasonable wear-and-tear accepted.
NOTE 1: The minimum ordering quantity for plastic pallets is 40 units.
2: Effective January 16, 2012, Canada Post no longer accepts Addressed Admail and Publications Mail
mailings inducted in bags.
January 14, 2013 Version 1.2 Page 4

Mail Preparation and Presortation Guide – NDG Presort
2.2.1 ACCEPTABLE CONTAINERS
The acceptable containers for NDG Presort are Canada Post-supplied containers (lettertainers and flats tubs).
Alternative acceptable container options for NDG Presort are:
• Cardboard Lettertainers (see Section 2.2.1.2)
• Customer-supplied cardboard boxes (see Section 2.2.1.3).
NOTE 1: Cardboard Lettertainers are only permitted for Short and Long (S/L) items.
2: Customers are allowed to use Cardboard Lettertainers or Customer-supplied cardboard boxes in
conjunction with Canada Post-supplied lettertainers or flats tubs, provided the same type of container is
used for each destination facility.
2.2.1.1 Acceptable Canada Post-Supplied Containers
The acceptable containers for NDG Presort are lettertainers, letterflatainers (LFTs) and flats tubs.
Lettertainers (see Figure 4) and Letterflatainers (LFTs) (see Figure 5) are used for Short and Long (S/L)
Addressed Admail and Publications Mail items.
Figure 4: Lettertainer
Figure 5: Letterflatainer (LFT)
Flats tubs (see Figure 6) are used for Oversize (O/S) Addressed Admail and Publications Mail items.
Figure 6: Flats Tub
All containers must be deposited with lids, unless other arrangements have been made with a Canada Post
representative. Letterflatainers (LFTs) do not require lids. Please refer to Table 1 for container specifications.
NOTE:
Containers prepared in a Level 1 (DF) monotainer (see Section 3.4.1 "Levels of Shipping Units") may be
nested and deposited without lids. In such cases, we recommend covering monotainers with cardboard
to protect the load.
January 14, 2013 Version 1.2 Page 5

Mail Preparation and Presortation Guide – NDG Presort
Table 1: Container Specifications
TYPE OF
CONTAINER
Lettertainer
Letterflatainer (LFT)
Flats Tub
WEIGHT LENGTH WIDTH HEIGHT MAXIMUM WEIGHT
(INCLUDING MAIL,
CONTAINER & LID)
1.8 kg
(4 lbs)
1.4 kg
(3.2 lbs)
1.7 kg
(3.7 lbs)
535 mm
(21.1 in)
480 mm
(18.9 in)
405 mm
(15.9 in)
251 mm
(9.8 in)
300 mm
(11.8 in)
240 mm
(9.4 in)
156 mm
(6.1 in)
170 mm
(6.7 in)
303 mm
(11.9 in)
22.7 kg
(50 lbs)
22.7 kg
(50 lbs)
22.7 kg
(50 lbs)
NOTE:
Container dimensions in Table 1 are the measurements inside the container.
2.2.1.2 Acceptable Cardboard Lettertainers
Cardboard Lettertainers are an alternative single-use container option for Short and Long (S/L) Addressed Admail
and Publications Mail items.
Customers can purchase Cardboard Lettertainers from Canada Post online at canadapost.ca/obc (product code:
241560) or directly from participating manufacturers.
Cardboard Lettertainers must meet all requirements outlined in this guide.
Visit canadapost.ca/mailpreparation for more information on Cardboard Lettertainers.
2.2.1.3 Acceptable Customer-Supplied Cardboard Boxes
Customer-supplied cardboard boxes are acceptable for Short and Long (S/L) and Oversize (O/S) Addressed Admail
and Publications Mail items.
Customer-supplied cardboard boxes must:
• meet the requirements outlined in this guide
• have lids and be sturdy to withstand handling during processing
• not exceed the dimensions outlined in Table 2.
Table 2: Cardboard Box Specifications
TYPE OF
MAIL ITEMS
Short and Long (S/L)
Oversize (O/S)
LENGTH WIDTH HEIGHT MAXIMUM WEIGHT
(INCLUDING MAIL)
535 mm
(21.1 in)
405 mm
(15.9 in)
251 mm
(9.8 in)
240 mm
(9.4 in)
156 mm
(6.1 in)
303 mm
(11.9 in)
22.7 kg
(50 lbs)
22.7 kg
(50 lbs)
NOTE:
Dimensions in Table 2 are the measurements inside the cardboard box.
2.2.2 ACCEPTABLE SHIPPING UNITS (MONOTAINERS AND PALLETS)
Monotainers and pallets (also referred to as skids) are acceptable shipping units for containers (see Table 3 and
Table 4).
Use of monotainers or pallets is optional.
Shipping units are used to group containers intended for one Order (Statement of Mailing) or bound for the same
destination (e.g., all mail items for Vancouver arrive on one pallet). This reduces the handling and helps ensure
timely delivery.
January 14, 2013 Version 1.2 Page 6

Mail Preparation and Presortation Guide – NDG Presort
Table 3: Acceptable Shipping Units
CANADA POST-SUPPLIED
CUSTOMER-SUPPLIED
MONOTAINER PLASTIC PALLET WOODEN PALLET
Table 4: Shipping Unit Specifications
TYPE OF
SHIPPING UNIT
Monotainer
Pallet
WEIGHT LENGTH WIDTH MAXIMUM HEIGHT
(INCLUDING MAIL &
SHIPPING UNIT)
97 kg
(213.8 lbs)
9 kg*
(19.8 lbs)
1.322 m
(52 in)
1.22 m
(48 in)
1.067 m
(42 in)
1.02 m
(40 in)
1.115 m
(43.8 in)
1.5 m
(59 in)
MAXIMUM WEIGHT
(INCLUDING MAIL &
SHIPPING UNIT)
900 kg
(1,984.2 lbs)
900 kg
(1,984.2 lbs)
* 9 kg (19.8 lbs) is the weight of a plastic pallet supplied by Canada Post.
If you are supplying your own wooden pallets, we recommend the bloc design to be used (as shown in Table 3).
In addition, the following requirements must be met:
• pallets must not have critical defects (i.e. exposed nails, significant splits, missing wood, decay or damaged/
jagged parts)
• the top surface of the pallet must be flat and stable, allowing for safe loading and unloading of mail without
tipping or sliding
• pallets must be able to withstand temperatures of -40°C to 40°C, and severe weather conditions such as
rain, snow, ice and humidity
• pallets must be built so their bottom deck boards do not obstruct entry by a forklift. Pallets should be
accessible by a forklift on all four sides and by a hand jack on two sides
• openings for forks must be:
at least 102 mm (4”) in height on the sides of the pallet without bottom deck boards; and
at least 89 mm (3.5”) in height on the sides with bottom deck boards
• metal strapping is not permitted
• pallets must conform to:
ASTM - D1185 - Standard Test Methods for Pallets and related Structures Employed in Materials Handling
and Shipping
ISO-8611 - Pallets for Materials Handling - Flat Pallets- Part 3: Maximum Working Loads
Uniform Standard for Wood Pallets by National Wooden Pallet & Container Association (USA).
January 14, 2013 Version 1.2 Page 7

35 BRACO ST
OTTAWA ON K2L 1B6
35 BRACO ST
OTTAWA ON K2L 1B6
35 BRACO ST
OTTAWA ON K2L 1B6
35 BRACO ST
OTTAWA ON K2L 1B6
35 BRACO ST
OTTAWA ON K2L 1B6
Mail Preparation and Presortation Guide – NDG Presort
2.3 Creating Orders (Statements of Mailing)
We recommend that you prepare and submit your Orders (Statements of Mailing) using Canada Post’s Electronic
Shipping Tools (EST).
EST can be accessed free of charge once you register for a user ID and password at canadapost.ca/newuser.
Two EST user platforms are available: an online and a desktop version. Please visit canadapost.ca/est to learn
more about EST and its different versions.
For technical enquiries regarding EST, please call the EST Help Desk at 1.866.511.0546.
NOTE:
Manual Orders (Statements of Mailing) are also acceptable; however they are subject to a manual Order
processing fee.
3 MAIL PREPARATION AND PRESORTATION
The mail preparation and presortation process requires (as shown in Figure 7):
• sequencing mail items by Postal Code as per the National Presortation Schematic (NPS) and placing them in
a specific (address-based) order
• grouping mail items for a common destination and placing them in a specific (address-based) order
• placing groupings with a common destination into containers in a specific order, and
• placing containers with a common destination into shipping units (monotainers or pallets) - optional.
Figure 7: Mail Preparation and Presortation Process
Mail items
Section 2
• Meet non-machineable specifications
ABC COMPANY
RR1
ABC COMPANY ALMONTE ON K0A 1A1
RR1
ABC COMPANY ALMONTE ON K0A 1A1
RR1
ABC COMPANY ALMONTE ON K0A 1A0
RR1
ABC COMPANY ALMONTE ON K0A 1A0
RR1
ALMONTE ON K0A 1A0
Items must be
sequenced
as per NPS
Section 3.1
• Sequencing mail items by Postal Codes
Items must be
grouped together
(GROUPINGS)
Section 3.2
• Minimum number of items per grouping
• Levels of groupings
• Separating groupings
• Identifying DCF, FCP and Residue groupings
Groupings must
be placed into
CONTAINERS
Section 3.3
• Maximum weight of a filled container
• Levels of containers
• Filling containers
• Labelling containers
Containers are
placed into
SHIPPING UNITS
(optional)
Section 3.4
• Levels of shipping units
• Filling shipping units
• Securing pallets
• Labelling shipping units
January 14, 2013 Version 1.2 Page 8

Mail Preparation and Presortation Guide – NDG Presort
3.1 Sequencing Mail Items
Start by sequencing your mailing by Postal Codes according to the National Presortation Schematic (NPS) (see
Figure 8).
NOTE 1: Customers may use presortation software recognized by Canada Post to presort their mailings. The
presortation software will determine mail item sequencing. It will also determine which groupings
and containers can be created for a given mailing. If you are using the presortation software to
prepare your mailing, you must ensure that you are using the most current version of it in order to
receive optimal service and avoid surcharges. For more information on presortation software,
please visit canadapost.ca/presortationsoftware, or
2: Customers may use a spreadsheet application, such as Microsoft Excel, in conjunction with the NPS
to presort their mailings (see Section 5.2 "Using a Spreadsheet Application to Sequence Your
Mailing List").
Figure 8: Sequencing Mail Items by Postal Codes According to the National Presortation Schematic
(NPS)
H7L 4A8
H7L 3W3
H4C 1V8
H3H 3A7
H3H 3A7
H3H 2P3
H3B 1S6
H3A 3LA
H3A 2N4
H2R 2Z7
B4R 6Y5
B4R 6Y1
B4R 6X4
B4R 3X2
B4R 2X6
B4R 2V9
B4P 2B8
B4N 3C4
B6L 2S4
B6L 1B8
B2N 2X8
B2N 1S0
B3E 1N4
B2T 4R5
B2T 3R9
B2S 4S5
A1B 3R9
A1B 3R9
NOTE:
The example is for illustration only and may not reflect the current National Presortation Schematic (NPS)
order.
January 14, 2013 Version 1.2 Page 9

Mail Preparation and Presortation Guide – NDG Presort
3.2 Grouping Mail Items
All items in a mailing must be part of a grouping. All groupings (except Residue) must have a minimum of eight
(8) items for Addressed Admail mailings or a minimum of six (6) items for Publications Mail mailings. If this
minimum requirement is not met, the items are consolidated to the next level (see Section 3.2.1 "Levels of
Groupings").
Grouped mail items must meet the consolidation requirements set out in Canada Post’s National Presortation
Schematic (NPS).
3.2.1 LEVELS OF GROUPINGS
There are four (4) allowable types of groupings:
1. NPS Level 1 – Delivery Facility (DF)
2. NPS Level 3 – Distribution Centre Facility (DCF)
3. NPS Level 4 – Forward Consolidation Point (FCP)
4. Residue.
You have to group together mail items that have a common destination and/or sortation. For example:
• group all items delivered from the same postal station or letter carrier depot (a DF grouping)
• group all items delivered in the same area, such as a city and surrounding area (a DCF grouping)
• group all items delivered in the same province (an FCP grouping)
• place all remaining items into a Residue grouping.
You begin by separating mail items by their province or district of destination (see Figure 9).
Figure 9: Separating Mail Items by Areas of Destination
A1B 3R9
A1B 3R9
B4R 6Y5
B4R 6Y1
B4R 6X4
B4R 3X2
B4R 2X6
B4R 2V9
B4P 2B8
B4N 3C4
B6L 2S4
B6L 1B8
B2N 2X8
B2N 1S0
B3E 1N4
B2T 4R5
B2T 3R9
B2S 4S5
H7L 4A8
H7L 3W3
H4C 1V8
H3H 3A7
H3H 3A7
H3H 2P3
H3B 1S6
H3A 3LA
H3A 2N4
H2R 2Z7
All mail items destined
to Newfoundland
All mail items destined
to Nova Scotia
All mail items destined
to Quebec
January 14, 2013 Version 1.2 Page 10

Mail Preparation and Presortation Guide – NDG Presort
Then:
• if not enough items to create an FCP grouping, create Residue grouping (see Figure 10); however, if enough
items to create an FCP grouping, check the NPS if DCF grouping(s) can be created
• if not enough items to create a DCF grouping, create FCP grouping (see Figure 11); however, if enough items
to create a DCF grouping, check the NPS if DF grouping(s) can be created
• if not enough items to create a DF grouping, create DCF grouping or consolidate to FCP or Residue
groupings; however, if enough items to create a DF grouping, create DF grouping(s) (see Figure 12).
Figure 10: Creating Residue Groupings
A1B 3R9
A1B 3R9
Enough
items to
create FCP
grouping?
No
Create Residue
grouping
Figure 11: Creating FCP and DCF Groupings
B4R 6Y5
B4R 6Y1
B4R 6X4
B4R 3X2
B4R 2X6
B4R 2V9
B4P 2B8
B4N 3C4
B6L 2S4
B6L 1B8
B2N 2X8
B2N 1S0
B3E 1N4
B2T 4R5
B2T 3R9
B2S 4S5
Enough
items to
create FCP
grouping?
Yes
Check NPS if
DCF grouping(s)
can be created
B2S 4S5
B2T 3R9
B2T 4R5
B3E 1N4
B2N 1S0
B2N 2X8
B6L 1B8
B6L 2S4
Halifax NS
DCF
Truro NS DCF
Enough
items to
create DCF
grouping?
Enough
items to
create DCF
grouping?
No
No
Create FCP
grouping
destined to
Halifax NS FWD
B4N 3C4
B4P 2B8
B4R 2V9
B4R 2X6
B4R 3X2
Kentville NS
DCF
Enough
items to
create DCF
grouping?
Yes
Create DCF
grouping
destined to
Kentville NS DCF
B4R 6X4
B4R 6Y1
B4R 6Y5
January 14, 2013 Version 1.2 Page 11

Mail Preparation and Presortation Guide – NDG Presort
Figure 12: Creating DF Groupings
H7L 4A8
H7L 3W3
H4C 1V8
H3H 3A7
H3H 3A7
H3H 2P3
H3B 1S6
H3A 3LA
H3A 2N4
H2R 2Z7
Enough
items to
create FCP
grouping?
Yes
Check NPS if
DCF grouping(s)
can be created
H2R 2Z7
H3A 2N4
H3A 3L4
H3B 1S6
H3H 2P3
H3H 3A7
H3H 3A7
H4C 1V8
H7L 3W3
H7L 4A8
Montreal QC
Enough
items to
create DCF
grouping?
Yes
Check NPS if
DF grouping(s)
can be created
H2R 2Z7
H3A 2N4
H3A 3L4
H3B 1S6
H3H 2P3
H3H 3A7
Montreal QC
LCD Bridge 1
Enough
items to
create DF
grouping?
Yes
Create DF
grouping
H3H 3A7
H4C 1V8
H7L 3W3
H7L 4A8
Montreal QC
LCD Monterey 1
Enough
items to
create DF
grouping?
No
Consolidate to
DCF, FCP or
Residue
For each grouping you create, sequence the mail items within the grouping.
3.2.2 SEPARATING GROUPINGS
Once your mail has been presorted, make sure it can withstand handling. Preserve the integrity of your groupings
by separating them in their containers, using one of the following acceptable methods:
a) bundling
b) separator cards
c) edgemarking.
Mail items within groupings must all face the same direction.
A) Bundling
A bundle is a group of mail items secured together by strapping (using elastic bands, string, or plastic straps) or
by shrink-wrapping. Please refer to Table 5 for bundle requirements.
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Mail Preparation and Presortation Guide – NDG Presort
Table 5: Bundle Requirements
TYPE OF MAILING MAXIMUM BUNDLE THICKNESS MINIMUM NUMBER OF ITEMS*
PER BUNDLE
Short and Long (S/L) Addressed Admail
and Publications Mail
Oversize (O/S) Addressed Admail and
Publications Mail
100 mm
(4 in) six (6) for Publications Mail
200 mm
eight (8) for Addressed Admail
(8 in)
* The maximum thickness takes precedence over the minimum number of items. The last Residue bundle has no minimum
number of items, although it still must follow the specifications for maximum thickness per bundle.
NOTE 1: When a bundle exceeds the maximum thickness and there are sufficient items to create a full second
bundle, it is preferable to split the total number of items into two (2) equal bundles, rather than create
one (1) full bundle and one (1) very small bundle. For example, if there is a Short and Long (S/L) bundle
of 52 items with a thickness of 125 mm, make two (2) bundles of 26 items.
2: When a bundle of Oversize (O/S) items exceeds the thickness of 200 mm, it is preferable to make two
(2) evenly divided bundles.
Strapping must be strong and tight enough to hold the bundle together, without the contents sliding, when
held vertically. Please refer to Table 6 for strapping requirements.
Table 6: Strapping Requirements for Containers
TYPE OF MAILING
• Short and Long (S/L) Addressed Admail and Publications Mail
• Oversize (O/S) Addressed Admail and Publications Mail for Level 1 of the NPS only
STRAPPING REQUIREMENT
• Oversize (O/S) Addressed Admail and Publications Mail (except for Level 1 of the NPS)
Single strapping
Double strapping
Shrink-wrapping is an acceptable method of bundling for Oversize (O/S) Addressed Admail and Publications
Mail items. The plastic used for shrink-wrapping must be strong enough to ensure the bundles remain secured
during handling.
NOTE: If your mail items are bound using spines, to create an even bundle, you may place the bottom half of
the bundle with its spines facing the opposite way to the top half of the bundle (see Figure 13).
Figure 13: Bundling Items with Spines
Acceptable
Preferred
January 14, 2013 Version 1.2 Page 13

Mail Preparation and Presortation Guide – NDG Presort
B) Separator Cards
Separator cards may also be used to indicate breaks between groupings (as shown in Figure 14). Separator cards
must:
• be made of thin, rigid cardboard (a weight of 120 to 160 grams per square metre is normally adequate)
• extend at least 20 mm above the mail items
• be at least 155 mm wide
• be placed in front of the first mail item in each grouping. Please note that if a grouping is too large to fit into
one container, a second separator card is required at the front of the second container.
Figure 14: Separator Cards
20 mm min.
155 mm min.
Destination Plant: Établi sement de destination:
NOTE: Separator cards can be any colour.
When separator cards are used, the minimum number of items per grouping is six (6) for Publications Mail and
eight (8) for Addressed Admail. There is no maximum number of items per grouping. Only one separator card is
required to identify the start of each grouping, regardless of its size.
C) Edgemarking
Edgemarking means applying ink or paint to the top edge of a mail item. This is another acceptable way of
separating groupings within a container (see Figure 15). Edgemarks are only applied to the first item in each
grouping.
Edgemarks must meet the following requirements:
• their colour must significantly contrast with that of the mail item
• the same colour must be used for edgemarking the entire mailing
• they must begin approximately 40 mm from the upper-right edge of the mail item
• edgemarks should be approximately 20 mm long, separated by a gap of approximately 25 mm:
the marking nearest the upper-right edge indicates a Delivery Facility (DF) grouping
the additional markings indicate Distribution Centre Facility (DCF) and Forward Consolidation Point (FCP)
groupings.
January 14, 2013 Version 1.2 Page 14

Mail Preparation and Presortation Guide – NDG Presort
Figure 15: Edgemarking
Third
marking
indicates
FCP
grouping
Second
marking
indicates
DCF
grouping
First
marking
indicates
DF
grouping
Edgemarks
20 mm 25 mm
20 mm 25 mm 20 mm
40 mm
Destination Plant: Établi sement de destination:
NOTE: It is acceptable for FCP groupings to have only two marks, but the marks must be in the DF and DCF
locations.
When edgemarks are used, the minimum number of items per grouping is six (6) for Publications Mail and eight
(8) for Addressed Admail. There is no maximum number of items per grouping. Only one edgemarked mail item
is required to identify the start of the grouping, regardless of its size.
3.2.3 IDENTIFYING DCF, FCP AND RESIDUE GROUPINGS
All DCF, FCP and Residue groupings must be identified.
When using bundling as a separation method, DCF, FCP and Residue bundles must be identified with a bundle
label (also called a facing slip). DF bundles do not require labels.
Bundle labels must be securely fastened to the bundle. They must be white in colour, measure 86 mm high by 95
mm wide, and include the routing information as specified in Table 7.
Table 7: Routing Information on DCF, FCP and Residue Bundle Labels
GROUPING
ROUTING INFORMATION ON BUNDLE
LABELS
EXAMPLE
DCF • Postal Code of the DCF, as per the NPS
(e.g., K0K 9Z0)
• name of the DCF (e.g., BELLEVILLE ON
DCF)
• the service option (NDG Presort)
86 mm
K0K 9Z0
BELLEVILLE ON DCF
NDG
Postal Code
Name of the DCF
Service Option
95 mm
FCP • Postal Code of the FCP, as per the NPS
(e.g., K0A 9Z0)
• name of the FCP with the forward
abbreviation FWD (e.g., OTTAWA ON
FWD)
• the service option (NDG Presort)
86 mm
K0A 9Z0
OTTAWA ON FWD
NDG
Postal Code
Name of the FCP with the FWD
Service Option
95 mm
January 14, 2013 Version 1.2 Page 15

Mail Preparation and Presortation Guide – NDG Presort
GROUPING
ROUTING INFORMATION ON BUNDLE
LABELS
EXAMPLE
Residue • name of the deposit facility with the
forward abbreviation FWD (e.g.,
OTTAWA ON FWD)
• the word “Residue”
• the service option (NDG Presort)
86 mm
OTTAWA ON FWD
RESIDUE
NDG
Name of Deposit Facility with the FWD
Word “Residue”
Service Option
95 mm
Additional information may appear above or below the routing information as long as the routing information is
more prominent.
When using separator cards as a separation method, each DCF, FCP and Residue grouping must be identified
on the part of the separator card visible above the mail items. The following information must be provided:
For DCF groupings:
• Postal Code of the DCF, as per the NPS (e.g., K0K 9Z0)
• name of the DCF (e.g., BELLEVILLE ON DCF), and
• the service option (NDG Presort).
For FCP groupings:
• Postal Code of the FCP, as per the NPS (e.g., K0A 9Z0)
• name of the FCP with the forward abbreviation FWD (e.g., OTTAWA ON FWD)
• the service option (NDG Presort).
For Residue groupings:
• name of the deposit facility with the forward abbreviation FWD (e.g., OTTAWA ON FWD)
• the word “Residue”
• the service option (NDG Presort).
3.3 Placing Groupings in Containers
NDG Presort groupings must be deposited in containers. The maximum weight of a filled container, including its
lid, is 22.7 kg (50 lbs). All containers must be deposited with lids, unless other arrangements have been made
with a Canada Post representative.
NOTE: An exception is made for containers prepared in a Level 1 (DF) monotainer (see Section 3.4.1 "Levels of
Shipping Units"). These containers may be nested and deposited without lids. We recommend covering
monotainers with cardboard to protect the load.
Groupings in containers must all face the same direction (see Figure 16).
January 14, 2013 Version 1.2 Page 16

Mail Preparation and Presortation Guide – NDG Presort
Figure 16: Groupings Facing the Same Direction
Destination Plant: Établi sement de destination:
3.3.1 LEVELS OF CONTAINERS
The acceptable levels of containers (also referred to as consolidation levels) are:
1. NPS Level 1 – Delivery Facility (DF)
2. NPS Level 2 – City
3. NPS Level 3 – Distribution Centre Facility (DCF)
4. NPS Level 4 – Forward Consolidation Point (FCP)
5. Residue.
Containers are created by putting together groupings that have a common destination and/or sortation level
within Canada Post’s network of mail processing and delivery facilities. For example, a container may consist of:
• groupings to be delivered on routes in the same letter carrier depot (a DF container)
• groupings to be delivered in the same area, such as a city and surrounding area (a City container or DCF
container)
• groupings to be delivered in the same province (an FCP container)
• remaining groupings (a Residue container).
When you prepare a container for its destination, it must be adequately filled to meet our minimum requirements
(see Section 3.3.2 "Filling Containers ").
Groupings placed in containers must meet the consolidation requirements set out in the National Presortation
Schematic (NPS). The level of consolidation will vary depending on the mail volume.
Groupings inside containers must be physically separated by one of the three acceptable methods – bundling,
separator cards, or edgemarking. It is important to maintain the integrity of the presortation when groupings are
placed into containers.
You begin by creating all possible DF containers. Then:
• if not enough groupings remain to create a DF container, create all possible City or DCF containers
• if not enough groupings remain to create City or DCF containers, create all possible FCP containers
• for groupings that cannot be containerized at any other level, create Residue containers.
January 14, 2013 Version 1.2 Page 17

Mail Preparation and Presortation Guide – NDG Presort
3.3.2 FILLING CONTAINERS
Containers must be sufficiently filled to meet our minimum requirements, as shown in Table 8.
Table 8: Minimum Requirements for Filling Containers
CONSOLIDATION LEVEL
IF ONLY 1 CONTAINER TO A
DESTINATION, FILL TO A
CAPACITY OF:
IF MULTIPLE CONTAINERS TO A DESTINATION
ALL CONTAINERS EXCEPT THE
LAST, FILL TO A CAPACITY OF:
LAST CONTAINER
Level 1 – DF 50% 95% No Minimum
Level 2 – City 70% 95% No Minimum
Level 3 – DCF 70% 95% No Minimum
Level 4 – FCP 50% 95% No Minimum
Residue No Minimum 95% No Minimum
NOTE 1: Customers depositing NDG Presort mailings to rural or retail offices (non-RVU) that cannot meet the
minimum fill requirement for one (1) container, have the option to deposit one (1) container with no
minimum fill requirement, or deposit loose bundles (double-strapped or shrink-wrapped bundles) at the
rural post office or retail counter during normal business hours.
2: To assess how full your container is, tip it on its short end at a 45–90° angle (as shown in Figure 17).
Once its contents have been compressed by their own weight, measure the length of space occupied
against the total length of the container. Express this ratio as a percentage, then compare it with our
minimum requirements for that type of container.
3: No container may exceed 22.7 kg (50 lbs) in weight.
Figure 17: Assessing Container Fill
Destination Plant: Établi sement de destination:
45 - 90°
3.3.3 PRESERVING INTEGRITY OF MAIL PREPARATION
When using separator cards or edgemarking as a separation method, for any container less than full (less than
95% of capacity), you must ensure the integrity of your mail preparation by using packing, as shown in
Figure 18.
If you use bundle strapping as a separation method, for any container less than full (less than 95% capacity), we
recommend adding packing in a container to ensure the integrity of your mail preparation.
Figure 18: Less than Full Container
Destination Plant: Établi sement de destination:
Packing
January 14, 2013 Version 1.2 Page 18

Mail Preparation and Presortation Guide – NDG Presort
3.3.4 LABELLING CONTAINERS
All containers must be labelled with their destination details using routing information from the National
Presortation Schematic (NPS). Correctly labelling your containers will ensure your mail is directed to the
appropriate work centre within a Canada Post facility.
Container labels must be bilingual and must include the following details (see Figure 19):
• the service name (e.g., Addressed Admail/Médiaposte avec adresse)
• the service option (NDG Presort/Tri préliminaire selon le PNIA)
• the following NPS routing information (on all but Residue containers):
the facility Postal Code (e.g., K1G 2C0)
the facility name (e.g., OTTAWA)
the province, in abbreviated form (e.g., ON), and
the routing destination (e.g., LCD Centretown).
Figure 19: Container Label
Facility Name
Routing Designation
Province Abbreviation
Service Name
Destination Plant: Établissement de destination:
K1G 2C0
OTTAWA ON
LCD CENTRETOWN
Facility Postal Code
Service Option
January 14, 2013 Version 1.2 Page 19

Mail Preparation and Presortation Guide – NDG Presort
For Customers using SERP software to prepare their NDG Presort mailing, a new 2D barcoded container label will
automatically be generated. Labelling the container with a 2D barcoded label is optional (see Figure 20).
Figure 20: New! Optional 2D Barcoded Container Label
Figure 22 – Figure 25 below illustrate how to determine routing information from the National Presortation
Schematic (NPS).
NOTE 1: Labels for Residue containers must contain the facility name and the words “FWD” and “Residue”.
2: The National Presortation Schematic (NPS) does not provide the Rural Delivery Facility details that are
required on the container label. These Rural Delivery Facility Postal Codes can be found in the
destination address on the mail item (addressee’s Postal Code) or at Canada Post - Householder Counts
and Maps under provincial “Rural Counts”.
Labels can be custom-made or produced using Canada Post templates.
Visit canadapost.ca/labels to download Canada Post templates or view specifications.
Before containers are deposited to a Canada Post facility, labels must be inserted into their label holder (see
Figure 21).
Figure 21: Placement of Label on a Container
Destination Plant:
Établissement de destination:
K1G 2C0
OTTAWA ON
LCD CENTRETOWN
Destination Plant: Établi sement de destination:
Ensure that the content of the label matches that of the container.
NOTE:
If you are using Cardboard Lettertainers or Customer-supplied boxes, affix a container label on the side
of each Cardboard Lettertainer or Customer-supplied box. You can order self-adhesive labels online at
canadapost.ca/obc under form number 33-086-732 or by contacting the Canada Post Customer
Relationship Network by telephone at 1.888.550.6333.
January 14, 2013 Version 1.2 Page 20

Mail Preparation and Presortation Guide – NDG Presort
Figure 22: Routing Information, Urban Delivery Facility – NPS Level 1
MAKE UP LEVEL
1
2
3
4
NPS ROUTING
K1G 2C0 OTTAWA ON LCD CENTRETOWN
K1G 0A0 OTTAWA ON
K0A 9Z0 OTTAWA ON DCF
K0A 9Z0 OTTAWA ON FWD
FSA LEVEL 1
DELIVERY FACILITY
(DF)
K2S
K0A
K2S 1A0
STITTSVILLE ON
LEVEL 2
CITY
LEVEL 3
DISTRIBUTION CENTRE
FACILITY
(DCF)
K0A 9ZO
OTTAWA ON
DCF
LEVEL 4
FORWARD
CONSOLIDATION POINT
(FCP)
Addressed
Admail
NDG
K1G 2C0
OTTAWA ON
LCD CENTRETOWN
Médiaposte
avec adresse
PNIA
S I S
K7K
K7L
K7M
K7N
K7P
K7L 1X0
KINGSTON ON
STN MAIN
K7M 5E0
KINGSTON ON
STN A
K7L 1X0
KINGSTON ON
K0H 9ZO
KINGSTON ON
DCF
K0A 9ZO
OTTAWA ON
FWD
K0H
K1P
K1R
K2P
K1L
K1M
K1N
K1G 2C0
OTTAWA ON
LCD CENTRETOWN
K1L 5A0
OTTAWA ON
STN VANIER
K1G 0A0
OTTAWA ON
Figure 23: Routing Information, Rural Delivery Facility – NPS Level 1
MAKE UP LEVEL
NPS ROUTING
1
2
K0A 1A0
K1G 0A0
ALMONTE ON
OTTAWA ON
3
4
K0A 9Z0
K0A 9Z0
OTTAWA ON DCF
OTTAWA ON FWD
LEVEL 1 - Rural Delivery Facility (Not listed individually on the hard copy of the NPS)
Rural Delivery Facilities should be identified by all six (6) characters of the Postal
Code e.g. K0A 1A0, Almonte ON.
FSA LEVEL 1
DELIVERY FACILITY
(DF)
LEVEL 2
CITY
LEVEL 3
DISTRIBUTION CENTRE
FACILITY
(DCF)
LEVEL 4
FORWARD
CONSOLIDATION POINT
(FCP)
K0A 1A0
ALMONTE ON
K2S
K0A
K2S 1A0
STITTSVILLE ON
K0A 9ZO
OTTAWA ON
DCF
Addressed
Admail
NDG
Médiaposte
avec adresse
PNIA
S I S
K7K
K7L
K7M
K7N
K7P
K7L 1X0
KINGSTON ON
STN MAIN
K7M 5E0
KINGSTON ON
STN A
K7L 1X0
KINGSTON ON
K0H 9ZO
KINGSTON ON
DCF
K0A 9ZO
OTTAWA ON
FWD
K0H
K1P
K1R
K2P
K1L
K1M
K1N
K1G 2C0
OTTAWA ON
LCD CENTRETOWN
K1L 5A0
OTTAWA ON
STN VANIER
K1G 0A0
OTTAWA ON
January 14, 2013 Version 1.2 Page 21

Mail Preparation and Presortation Guide – NDG Presort
Figure 24: Routing Information, City – NPS Level 2
MAKE UP LEVEL
1
2
3
4
NPS ROUTING
K1G 2C0 OTTAWA ON LCD CENTRETOWN
K1G 0A0 OTTAWA ON
K0A 9Z0 OTTAWA ON DCF
K0A 9Z0 OTTAWA ON FWD
FSA LEVEL 1
DELIVERY FACILITY
(DF)
LEVEL 2
CITY
LEVEL 3
DISTRIBUTION CENTRE
FACILITY
(DCF)
LEVEL 4
FORWARD
CONSOLIDATION POINT
(FCP)
K1G 0A0
OTTAWA ON
K2S
K0A
K2S 1A0
STITTSVILLE ON
K0A 9ZO
OTTAWA ON
DCF
Addressed
Admail
NDG
Médiaposte
avec adresse
PNIA
S I S
K7K
K7L
K7M
K7N
K7P
K7L 1X0
KINGSTON ON
STN MAIN
K7M 5E0
KINGSTON ON
STN A
K7L 1X0
KINGSTON ON
K0H 9ZO
KINGSTON ON
DCF
K0A 9ZO
OTTAWA ON
FWD
K0H
K1P
K1R
K2P
K1L
K1M
K1N
K1G 2C0
OTTAWA ON
LCD CENTRETOWN
K1L 5A0
OTTAWA ON
STN VANIER
K1G 0A0
OTTAWA ON
Figure 25: Routing Information, Distribution Center Facility – NPS Level 3
MAKE UP LEVEL
1
2
3
4
NPS ROUTING
K1G 2C0 OTTAWA ON LCD CENTRETOWN
K1G 0A0 OTTAWA ON
K0A 9Z0 OTTAWA ON DCF
K0A 9Z0 OTTAWA ON FWD
FSA LEVEL 1
DELIVERY FACILITY
(DF)
K2S
K0A
K2S 1A0
STITTSVILLE ON
LEVEL 2
CITY
LEVEL 3
DISTRIBUTION CENTRE
FACILITY
(DCF)
K0A 9ZO
OTTAWA ON
DCF
LEVEL 4
FORWARD
CONSOLIDATION POINT
(FCP)
Addressed
Admail
NDG
K0A 9Z0
OTTAWA ON
DCF
Médiaposte
avec adresse
PNIA
S I S
K7K
K7L
K7M
K7N
K7P
K7L 1X0
KINGSTON ON
STN MAIN
K7M 5E0
KINGSTON ON
STN A
K7L 1X0
KINGSTON ON
K0H 9ZO
KINGSTON ON
DCF
K0A 9ZO
OTTAWA ON
FWD
K0H
K1P
K1R
K2P
K1L
K1M
K1N
K1G 2C0
OTTAWA ON
LCD CENTRETOWN
K1L 5A0
OTTAWA ON
STN VANIER
K1G 0A0
OTTAWA ON
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Mail Preparation and Presortation Guide – NDG Presort
3.4 Placing Containers into Shipping Units
Use of monotainers or pallets is optional for NDG Presort mailings.
3.4.1 LEVELS OF SHIPPING UNITS
Canada Post encourages the consolidation of containers to monotainers or pallets as per the National
Presortation Schematic (NPS).
The following are the acceptable levels of consolidation:
1. NPS Level 1 – Delivery Facility (DF)
2. NPS Level 2 – City
3. NPS Level 3 – Distribution Centre Facility (DCF)
4. NPS Level 4 – Forward Consolidation Point (FCP)
5. Residue.
You begin by creating all possible DF shipping units. Then:
• if not enough containers remain to create a full DF shipping unit, create all possible City or DCF shipping units
• if not enough containers remain to create City or DCF shipping units, create all possible FCP shipping units
• for all remaining containers that cannot be consolidated to any NPS level, create Residue shipping units.
Containers in shipping units must meet the consolidation requirements set out in the National Presortation
Schematic (NPS). The level of consolidation will vary depending on the destination of the container.
If containers are not consolidated within the shipping units as per the NPS, then the shipping unit label must be
identified as Residue (see Section 3.4.4 "Labelling Shipping Units").
3.4.2 FILLING SHIPPING UNITS
Monotainers and pallets must be filled to meet our requirements, as shown in Table 9.
Table 9: Fill Requirements for Shipping Units
FILL
REQUIREMENT
Min.
Max.
PALLET
FILLED WITH CONTAINERS
18 lettertainers or 18 letterflatainers or 12 flats tubs or
500 mm (excluding height of the pallet)
48 lettertainers or 48 letterflatainers or 32 flats tubs or
1.5 m (including height of the pallet)
MONOTAINER
FILLED WITH CONTAINERS
18 lettertainers or 18 letterflatainers or 12 flats tubs for
mail destined within FCP of deposit
27 lettertainers, letterflatainers or 18 flats tubs for mail
destined outside the FCP of deposit
36 lettertainers or 36 letterflatainers or 24 flats tubs or
contents may be piled up to 25 mm below the top of
the monotainer
NOTE 1: Fill requirements outlined in Table 9 are also applicable if you are using Cardboard Lettertainers or
Customer-supplied cardboard boxes.
2: Pallets or monotainers may not exceed 900 kg (1984.2 lbs) in weight.
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Mail Preparation and Presortation Guide – NDG Presort
3.4.3 SECURING PALLETS
All pallets must be securely fastened and structurally sound. To preserve the integrity of your mailing, ensure that:
• three (3) layers of stretch-wrapping are applied around the pallet and its load, or
• cross-strapping is applied (as shown in Figure 26).
NOTE: Metal strapping is not permitted.
Figure 26: Stretch-wrapped and Cross-strapped Pallet
3.4.4 LABELLING SHIPPING UNITS
All pallets and monotainers must be labelled. This will ensure that your mail is directed to the appropriate facility
within Canada Post’s network. A new optional 2D barcoded shipping unit label is available for Customers using
SERP software to prepare their NDG Presort mailing.
Labels must be white and meet the following requirements:
• measure 216 mm high by 279 mm wide (8.5 in x 11 in)
• be printed in black in a font size large enough to occupy the entire label
• prominently display the facility name (which must be visibly larger than all other information).
The information provided on the label must include the following (as shown in Figure 27):
• the service name (Addressed Admail or Publications Mail)
• the service option (NDG Presort)
• the following National Presortation Schematic (NPS) routing information (on all but Residue monotainers or
pallets):
the Postal Code of the Canada Post deposit facility (e.g., K0A 9Z0)
the name of the facility (e.g., OTTAWA)
the province, in abbreviated form (e.g., ON), and
the routing designation (e.g., DCF).
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Mail Preparation and Presortation Guide – NDG Presort
Figure 27: Monotainer and Pallet Label
Reserved for Customer Information
216 mm
(8.5")
ADDRESSED ADMAIL
NDG
K0A 9Z0
ON DCF
Reserved for Customer Information
Service Name
Service Option
Facility Postal Code
Routing Designation
Province Abbreviation
Facility Name (visibly larger than all other information)
279 mm
(11")
NOTE: Labels for Residue monotainers or pallets must display the name of the deposit facility and the words
“FWD” and “Residue.”
As shown in Figure 28:
• each monotainer must have at least one (1) label, although two (2) are recommended
• each pallet must have two (2) labels.
Figure 28: Labels Attached to Monotainers and Pallets
Labels
4 DEPOSIT SITES
You must deposit your mailing at the postal facility selected when completing your Order (Statement of Mailing)
using the Electronic Shipping Tools (EST).
If you are completing a manual Order (Statement of Mailing), please contact your Canada Post Representative for
acceptable deposit sites.
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Mail Preparation and Presortation Guide – NDG Presort
4.1 Deposit Location Types
Canada Post is enhancing mail deposit requirements. These changes are designed to ensure that our facilities are
properly equipped to handle your mail efficiently and avoid unnecessary delays. Daily maximum volumes of mail
have been implemented for certain types of deposit locations.
• Receipt Verification Units (RVUs) - Large mail processing facilities designed for commercial mailers.
• Commercial Deposit Centres (CDCs) - Delivery facilities that have been specifically engineered and
equipped to accept, verify, and process commercial mailings.
• Corporate Post Offices - These locations are usually managed directly by Canada Post.
• Delivery Facilities - Typically found in urban settings where letter carriers receive and sort mail before
beginning delivery to their route. These facilities do not serve the general public.
Section 4.2 lists the different location types and maximum volume each location is designed to handle. A full list
of deposit locations across Canada can be found at canadapost.ca/depositlocations.
4.2 Maximum Volumes Acceptable Per Day, by Deposit Location
Type
Only certain types of Canada Post facilities can accept deposits for specific types of services that have been
prepared by the NDG mail preparation option. See Table 10 for more information.
Table 10: Maximum Volumes Acceptable Per Day, by Deposit Location Type for NDG Addressed Admail
& Publications Mail
PRODUCT RVU CDC
LEVEL 1*
Addressed Admail and
Publications Mail
Acceptable.
No maximum
volume
applicable.
2 shipping units**
(monotainers/
pallets)
CDC
LEVEL 2*
3 shipping units**
(monotainers/
pallets)
CORPORATE
POST OFFICE
LEVEL 1
CORPORATE POST
OFFICE
LEVEL 2
DELIVERY
FACILITY
5 containers*** 12 containers*** Not acceptable
For a complete list of Commercial Deposit Centres (CDC) and Corporate Post Offices and
Receipt Verification Units (RVU), please go to canadapost.ca/depositlocations.
* This location type is not equipped to process mail received in monotainers or pallets that are double-stacked.
** A monotainer can accommodate approximately 36 Lettertainers or 24 Flats tubs.
*** Containers include Canada Post-supplied Lettertainers and Flats tubs and Customer supplied hard-sided containers
including boxes.
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Mail Preparation and Presortation Guide – NDG Presort
WHEN CREATING YOUR NDG PRESORT MAILING, FOLLOW THESE STEPS…
REFERENCE
If using shipping units (monotainers or pallets), ensure that …
Acceptable shipping units (monotainers or pallets) are used. section 2.2.2
Containers are consolidated at the acceptable shipping unit levels: DF, City, DCF, FCP and Residue. If
containers are not consolidated within the shipping units as per the NPS, then the shipping unit is
identified as Residue.
section 3.4.1
Monotainers or pallets meet all fill requirements. section 3.4.2
Pallets are securely fastened using 3 layers of stretch-wrapping or cross-strapping. section 3.4.3
Monotainers or pallets are properly labelled. section 3.4.4
When completing your Order (Statement of Mailing), ensure that …
Your Order (Statement of Mailing) is created using Canada Post’s Electronic Shipping Tools (EST) or manual
Orders (Statements of Mailing) form.
When you are ready to deposit, ensure that …
Your mailing will be deposited at the postal facility selected when completing your Order (Statement of
Mailing) using the Electronic Shipping Tools (EST).
In case of manually completed Orders (Statements of Mailing), your mailing must be deposited at the
postal facility identified by a Canada Post Representative.
section 2.3
section 4
5.2 Using a Spreadsheet Application to Sequence Your Mailing List
You may use a spreadsheet application, such as Microsoft Excel, to sequence your mailing list by Postal Code.
NOTE: Sort functions within spreadsheet applications enable alphanumeric sequencing. While the ordering of
the National Presortation Schematic (NPS) is primarily alphanumeric, its sequencing will slightly differ
from your spreadsheet sequencing outcome. For this reason, all alphanumerically sequenced mailings
must also be matched against the most current version of the NPS.
The following example is provided for illustration only. It demonstrates how you can use Microsoft Excel 2003 to
sequence your mailing list. The sort function may vary depending on what software application is used.
If you are using Microsoft Excel, follow these steps:
1. Open a new spreadsheet.
2. List all of your Postal Codes in column ‘A’.
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3. Highlight column ‘A’ and sort it in ascending order.
4. Create column heading above your Postal Code data (for example, ‘Pcode’).
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5. Select cell 'A1', then select 'Data', 'Filter', 'AutoFilter' from the main menu. A button featuring a downward
arrow will appear in cell ‘A1’. This will be used to sort the Postal Codes by their first letter 1 .
6. Click on the downward arrow and select ‘Custom...’. In the Custom AutoFilter window, set the filter criteria
as, ‘Show rows where: Pcode equals A*’.
1. Essentially FCP
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Mail Preparation and Presortation Guide – NDG Presort
7. Select ‘OK’. The filter will be applied. Only the Postal Codes that start with an ‘A’ will be displayed in column
‘A’. Highlight the Postal Codes, then 'Copy' and 'Paste' them below all the Postal Codes in column ‘A’. Follow
the same process to filter the Postal Codes by other alpha characters (B, C, E, G, J, etc.).
8. Once the Postal Codes have been initially sorted by their first letter, apply filters to each Postal Code list to
further determine groupings. For example, apply the data AutoFilter to the “B” Postal Codes column (column
‘C’, cell ‘C1092’), then apply the Custom Autofilter criteria that begins with B0*. Repeat this process for the
Postal Codes (B1*, B2*,… B9*), with the NPS grouping parameters applied to determine the groupings for
the DF or DCF levels.
9. In the example above, since there are not enough items with ‘A’ and ‘C’ Postal Codes to make FCP
groupings, these items will be considered Residue. Further filtering as per the NPS will be required to
determine if DF or DCF groupings can be created for items with ‘B’, ‘E’, ‘G’ and ‘H’ Postal Codes. If there are
not enough items to create a DF grouping, they will have to be consolidated to the DCF or FCP levels as per
the NPS.
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