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Backlog at border delaying international mail: Canada Post
Last Updated Tue, 19 Oct 2004 11:11:48 EDT
VANCOUVER - Canada Post says the delivery of international mail has slowed because of a backlog at the Canadian Border Services Agency in Vancouver.
As many as 150,000 packages - about 45 tractor-trailer loads - are waiting to clear security at the Vancouver customs processing plant. Canada Post says the Vancouver centre has experienced backlogs since August 2002.
Post office officials say they understand the need for tight security, but say a five-week delay is just too much.
Canada Post is receiving about 160 complaints a day because of the delays, said spokesperson Cal Hart.
"This situation is unacceptable for our business and for Canadians. We can't deliver the product until it is cleared by customs," said Hart.
They've been assured by customs that the problem will be cleared up within 30 days, Hart said.
Earlier in the year, the U.S. Postal Service stopped shipping mail to clearance centres in Calgary and Winnipeg, directing all international mail through Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto. Canada Post said the U.S. had trouble with flights into the other two cities.
With no mail coming into Calgary and Winnipeg, the Canada Border Services Agency closed the two centres this spring.
Earlier this month, the Canada Border Services Agency said it is considering hiring more staff at the remaining three centres to deal with the additional mail.
Written by CBC News Online staff
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