postage : Java Glossary

This is an abbreviated table of postage rates.

The above table was automatically generated by a program called GrabPostageRates that screenscrapes the Canadian and US postal service websites. This helps ensure accuracy.

Permanent Stamps

Most Canadian $0.63/$0.85 stamps no longer usually spell out the denomination. They are still good for one letter even when the price rises. In Canada such stamps are called permanent stamps. Canada Post announced they are being discontinued, but they are still printing them and selling them. If you have choice, get permanent stamps. Otherwise it costs about $0.22 to upgrade each old stamp when the rates change. In the USA permanent stamps are called forever stamps. In the UK they are called non-value indicated stamps.

Economy

Postage meters get a discount. Postage meters also automatically adjust to new rates. Buying single stamps costs extra. The prettiest stamps require you to lick them. The more pedestrian ones are peel off and stick. They are the same price.

Printing the Tables

You could use FastStone Capture to snapshot either of the two panels above and print them out on card stock and store them with your postage stamps.

Mail Forwarding

Many American companies will only ship to the USA. You can use a forwarding service such as MyUs who give you an American mailing address and they forward any mail or packages you receive via DHL Express, FedEx Priority, USPS Express Mail or USPS Priority Mail.

The US postal service will not talk to you unless you have a valid US address.