By Jay Bigalke

Canada Post has suspended registered mail service for items sent to the United States. A statement on its website says, “As of January 13, 2014, Registered Mail U.S.A. is temporarily suspended.”

Canada Post spokeswoman Anick Losier told Linn’s: “Due to customer service concerns, Canada Post has suspended Registered Mail service to the USA effective January 13, 2014. The suspension does not apply to Registered Mail sent within Canada or to other International destinations.

“Customers who require proof of mailing, proof of delivery and a signature are encouraged to use the Xpresspost — USA service, which is also available as a prepaid envelope. Xpresspost — USA service is ideal for difficult-to-replace, time-sensitive and/or confidential documents, such as passports or financial papers, which had previously been sent by Registered Mail (USA).”

Post and Parcel published an article Jan. 17 on its website http://postandparcel.info with statements from the U.S. Postal Service denying Canada Post’s claims.

The Post and Parcel article quotes USPS spokeswoman Patricia Licata as saying the amount lost is a “very small percentage” of 1 percent to 2 percent. Licata also stated that a signature is still required for inbound international registered mail when picking up the mailpiece from a post office.