Seed Paper Mailing in Canada: Postage, Rules and Tips

You can mail seed paper cards in Canada, but not with a regular stamp. Seeds count as non-standard matter, so a plantable card goes as Other (Non-standard and Oversize) Lettermail, and postage for up to 100 g starts at $2.61. This guide walks you through the postage, the packing, the rules for sending seeds abroad, and how to help your card arrive in good shape and bloom.

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TL;DR

  • Seed paper can’t travel as Standard Lettermail. Use Other (Non-standard and Oversize) Lettermail, which starts at $2.61 for items up to 100 g, before taxes.
  • Weigh your finished envelope, not just the card. Notes, stickers and extra inserts push you into the next price band.
  • Keep the card flat, dry and unlaminated so the seeds stay healthy and the message stays readable.
  • Sending to another country? Check that country’s seed import rules first. For Canada, the CFIA is the place to look.
  • Seed paper keeps best in a cool, dry place and is best planted within about two years.

Table of Contents

Why seed paper needs a different kind of postage

A plantable card looks like any other card. The difference is the seeds pressed into the paper. They make the surface slightly lumpy and uneven, and that matters to the machines that sort mail.

Canada Post lists seeds among the unacceptable non-paper enclosures for machineable mail, alongside things like keys and jewellery. Its page on non-standard lettermail says these items can only be sent as Other (Non-standard and Oversize) Lettermail, at the applicable price.

Seed paper routed as non-standard mail

It can feel like a fuss for a simple card. Think of it as a small price for a gift that grows. The extra postage also protects your card, because it travels the way it is meant to.

What it costs to mail a seed paper card in Canada

The current Canada Post rates for non-standard lettermail are below. Prices don’t include taxes and can change without notice, so check the page before you stamp a big batch.

Weight Postage
Up to 100 g $2.61
100 to 200 g $4.29
200 to 300 g $5.98
300 to 400 g $6.85
400 to 500 g $7.36

For one card in an envelope, you are most likely in the first band. The easiest way to be sure is to weigh the sealed envelope on a kitchen scale. If you are sending a handful of cards in one envelope, or adding a small gift, check the next band up.

A quick example

Say you are sending thank-you notes to six friends across the country. Each one goes in its own envelope, so each is priced on its own weight. If every envelope falls under 100 g, that is six times $2.61 before taxes. If you tuck all six into one parcel for a family member to hand out, you are paying by the combined weight instead, so compare both ways before you decide.

Postage comparison for six thank-you cards

How to pack a seed paper card so it arrives well

Good packing takes a couple of minutes. These steps cover most situations.

  1. Write your message first. Use a pen that dries quickly. Seed paper is textured, so a fine felt tip or a gel pen can catch. Test on a corner or on the back.
  2. Keep it dry. Moisture can wake the seeds before the recipient plants them. Slip the card into its envelope and keep it away from damp counters and steamy rooms.
  3. Skip lamination, plastic wrap and tape over the paper. Coatings stop water from reaching the seeds. Our guide to seed paper safety in Canada explains why lamination and bleach are best avoided.
  4. Keep it flat. Folded or crushed paper can crack. A sturdy envelope is enough for a single card. For several, add a piece of cardboard.
  5. Weigh it and pick your postage. Choose the Other (Non-standard and Oversize) Lettermail rate that matches the weight.
  6. Add a planting note. A line such as “Plant me, don’t toss me” helps the card end up in soil, not the recycling bin.

Seeded paper makers say that handmade seed paper envelopes hold up as well as machine-made ones and travel fine in the mail, so a card with a seed paper envelope doesn’t need much extra protection.

Mailing seeds outside Canada

Sending a card within Canada is simple. Sending one abroad is where gifts get held up.

The CFIA explains that seed movement in Canada is regulated under the Seeds Act and the Plant Protection Act. Many countries have their own rules, and foreign seeds can be restricted or need permits so that invasive species and plant pests don’t get in. Always check the rules of the destination country before you post anything with seeds in it.

Canada Post also notes that controlled items can be subject to import permits and other documentation. If you are planning a gift for a relative in another country, read our guide on how to mail seed paper internationally before customs holds your gift. For a loved one overseas, a plain card in the mail with a note that the plantable one is waiting for your visit can be the safest choice.

Why the source of your seeds matters

The CFIA warns that seeds bought online from foreign suppliers can be a problem. In its article on tiny seeds you buy online, it says a seed being for sale on a website doesn’t mean the plant is safe for native plants and animals in Canada.

The practical lesson is to buy seed paper from a Canadian maker that names its seed types and uses non-invasive varieties. Our cards use non-GMO, non-invasive seeds, so the person who opens your envelope can plant it without worrying about what is growing in their yard. If you are curious about edible varieties, we cover the checks in our post on vegetable seed paper in Canada.

It’s also worth buying from a Canadian source for the paper. Our cards are made in Canada from 100% post-consumer recycled paper, which keeps paper out of landfill and gives it a second life.

What to tell the person who gets your card

A seed paper card only becomes a gift once it is planted. A short note inside helps. Here is what to include.

  • Plant it soon. Seed paper stays viable for years if it is stored well, but germination rates start to fall after about two years. Suggest a cool, dry spot until planting.
  • Cover it lightly. The same source says a light covering of soil, roughly 1/8 to 1/4 inch, is important. Our own guide suggests planting flat under about 1 cm of soil, and explains why you can skip soaking the paper.
  • Keep it moist. One watering isn’t enough. The paper should stay damp while the seeds sprout.
  • Be patient. Soil temperature, depth and moisture matter more than the paper. Nobody can promise every seed will sprout.
  • Mind the season. If your card arrives in a cold month, an indoor start is a better plan. See planting seed paper in a Canadian winter.

Some gardeners like to test first. A common tip is to put a small piece in a damp, sealed bag in a warm, bright spot to see if the seeds sprout, as described by Trail Botanica. It is a fun activity for kids too.

For more on what happens after planting, our post on compost seed paper that grows in 1 to 3 weeks walks through the timeline.

Our perspective on mailing plantable cards

We make plantable cards, so we hear the same worry from customers again and again: “Will it survive the mail, and will the post office accept it?” Yes on both counts, as long as you choose the right service and keep the card dry and flat.

We think the extra postage is worth it. A regular card is read and then tossed. A plantable card gets a second chapter on a windowsill or in a garden bed. That is the whole idea behind our cards: a message that arrives, and a plant that grows afterwards.

Our cards are blank inside, so you can write something personal. They come with a recycled kraft envelope, and we ship orders in plastic-free, compostable packaging. When you mail one on, you can keep that spirit going by skipping plastic sleeves and stickers. Our post on what drives a greeting card’s carbon footprint also looks at the role postage plays.

My one tip: write the planting instructions in your own words. People remember a friendly note far longer than a printed line.

— Trevor

Choosing the right card to send

Before you mail anything, think about the person and the moment.

  • Weddings and anniversaries: a couple can plant the card together and watch it grow. Browse our plantable wedding cards.
  • Valentine’s Day: a card that blooms says more than a card that fades. See our seed paper Valentines.
  • Thank-yous and congratulations: the Congratulations card with dill is a herb that your friend can use in the kitchen.
  • Kids: a plantable card is a gentle first gardening lesson.
  • Keepsakes alongside the card: if you want something to frame next to your plantable card, original mini art greeting cards can make a lasting pairing.

If you aren’t sure which one to send, our post on choosing seed paper and post-consumer cards in Canada lists the questions to ask before you buy. And if you wonder how seed paper compares with ordinary paper, read seed paper vs regular paper.

Ready to send something that grows?

If you would like a card that is already made to be mailed, our plantable greeting cards are made in Canada from 100% post-consumer recycled paper. They hold non-GMO, non-invasive seeds for flowers, herbs or vegetables, and each comes with a recycled kraft envelope. For a bigger stock, the 10 pack of mixed occasions covers birthdays, thank-yous and more, and there is a Seasons Greetings card seal for the holidays.

10 Pack - 15% Off Best Selling Mixed Occasions

A short checklist before you head to the post office

  • Message written, ink dry, planting note added.
  • Card flat, unlaminated and in its envelope.
  • Sealed envelope weighed on a scale.
  • Correct Other (Non-standard and Oversize) Lettermail postage attached.
  • Address checked, and the destination’s seed rules checked if the card is leaving Canada.

If you are mailing to businesses or clients, such as a thank-you to a client list, count each envelope separately and ask the counter staff to confirm the service. A quick question at the counter is better than a returned card.

FAQ

Can I mail seed paper with a regular stamp?

No. Canada Post says items like these can’t go as Standard Lettermail and must be sent as Other (Non-standard and Oversize) Lettermail at the applicable price. For up to 100 g, that is currently $2.61 before taxes. Check the Canada Post rates page for changes.

Does plantable seed paper really work?

It can, but results aren’t guaranteed. Soil temperature, planting depth and steady moisture matter more than the paper itself, and no one should expect every seed to germinate. Plant it within about two years, keep it moist and give it light and warmth.

What is the best way to mail seeds?

Within Canada, keep them dry and flat and pay for the right non-standard service. Across borders, check the destination’s import rules first, since the CFIA warns that foreign seeds can need permits. For a gift, a seed paper card is a simple, low-volume way to share seeds.

How should I store seed paper before I mail or plant it?

Keep it in a cool, dry place away from damp. Germination rates start to decline after roughly two years, so use your cards within that window for the best chance of growth.

Sources

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