Yes, you can mail a standard letter to Canada with regular U.S. Forever stamps. The real question is whether you are using enough postage.
As of May 3, 2026, USPS lists:
- a domestic Forever stamp at 78 cents
- a 1-ounce First-Class Mail International letter to Canada at $1.70
- a Global Forever stamp at $1.70
That means:
- 2 domestic Forever stamps = $1.56, which is not enough
- 3 domestic Forever stamps = $2.34, which works but overpays
- 1 Global Forever stamp = $1.70, which is the cleanest option
The short answer
If you are mailing a normal 1-ounce letter to Canada, the easiest setup is one Global Forever stamp.
If you only have domestic Forever stamps, you need postage worth at least $1.70. In practice, that means either:
- 3 domestic Forever stamps, or
- 2 domestic Forever stamps plus additional ounce or makeup postage
The second option wastes less money. The first option is simpler if you just want the letter out the door.
When regular Forever stamps work
Regular Forever stamps work when the item still qualifies as a letter and the total postage reaches the international rate.
For Canada, USPS currently prices retail letters this way:
| Letter weight | USPS retail rate to Canada |
|---|---|
| 1 oz | $1.70 |
| 2 oz | $2.00 |
| 3 oz | $2.70 |
| 3.5 oz | $3.40 |
So the answer changes with weight. A plain one-page letter is easy. A thicker envelope with multiple pages may move into the next price band quickly.
Why a Global Forever stamp is usually better
A Global Forever stamp is built for this exact use case.
It covers:
- a postcard to Canada
- a 1-ounce international letter, including Canada
It also keeps its value if USPS changes the international postcard or 1-ounce letter price later.
If you mail internationally more than once in a while, Global Forever stamps remove the usual “Do I need two or three?” guesswork.
The mistake that causes returned mail
The most common mistake is assuming two domestic Forever stamps are enough because Canada feels “close.”
At the current 78-cent domestic rate, two stamps total $1.56. USPS lists $1.70 for a 1-ounce letter to Canada. So you are short by 14 cents.
That is exactly the kind of small underpayment that leads to delay, return, or postage-due problems.
Weight and shape rules still matter
The stamp math only works if the mailpiece still qualifies for the letter rate.
You need to watch:
- weight
- nonmachinable shape
- whether the item is really a document letter or something with merchandise
USPS currently adds a 49-cent nonmachinable surcharge for letters that do not run through normal letter-processing equipment. A rigid, square, lumpy, or oddly shaped envelope can trigger that extra cost.
If the item is not just correspondence or documents, the mailing class rules can change entirely.
Can you send merchandise in a stamped letter to Canada?
Usually, this is where people get into trouble.
USPS says First-Class Mail International letters are for letters and documents. If the envelope contains merchandise, customs and package rules can apply instead of simple letter-postage logic.
If you are mailing goods rather than paper, the USPS First-Class Package International guide is the better starting point.
That means this page is mainly for:
- personal letters
- greeting cards
- paper documents
It is a bad guide for:
- gifts
- stickers or goods sold online
- thick document packs that no longer behave like a standard letter
The cheapest practical setup
Here is the cleanest decision tree:
| What you are mailing | Best postage move | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1-ounce letter to Canada | 1 Global Forever stamp | Exact current rate with no math |
| 1-ounce letter, no Global stamp available | 2 Forever stamps plus makeup postage | Cheaper than using 3 Forever stamps |
| Heavier letter up to 3.5 oz | Use exact posted rate | The price increases by weight tier |
| Rigid, square, or odd-shaped letter | Check nonmachinable pricing | You may owe the extra 49-cent surcharge |
Do you need customs forms for a normal letter to Canada?
For a normal correspondence letter, usually no.
USPS says if you are sending only correspondence or non-negotiable documents, you generally do not need a customs form for First-Class Mail International letters.
That changes if the envelope includes goods rather than just paper.
What if you want proof it was delivered?
Regular stamped letters to Canada do not give you normal package-style tracking.
If you need proof of mailing or delivery evidence on domestic legal or business mail, USPS Certified Mail is the better workflow. For basic international letter mail, the simpler goal is usually just getting the postage right.
FAQ
Can I use regular Forever stamps to mail a letter to Canada?
Yes. You can use regular Forever stamps as long as the total postage equals the current Canada letter rate.
How many Forever stamps do I need for Canada in 2026?
For a 1-ounce letter to Canada, two domestic Forever stamps are not enough at the current 78-cent rate. You need at least $1.70 in postage, so three domestic Forever stamps will work, or you can use one Global Forever stamp.
Is one Global Forever stamp enough for Canada?
Yes. USPS currently lists a Global Forever stamp at $1.70, which covers a 1-ounce international letter or postcard to Canada.
Can I use two Forever stamps for Canada?
Not at current rates. Two 78-cent Forever stamps total $1.56, which is 14 cents short of the Canada 1-ounce letter rate.
What if my letter weighs more than 1 ounce?
The price goes up. USPS currently lists $2.00 for 2 ounces, $2.70 for 3 ounces, and $3.40 for 3.5 ounces for letters to Canada.
