Canada does not call its domestic rate-tracking stamps “Forever stamps.” Canada Post calls them PERMANENT stamps. They show a boxed letter “P” instead of a denomination and remain accepted at the current Canadian domestic postage rate. They are not USPS Forever stamps and cannot pay U.S. postage.
Canadian Permanent Stamps at a Glance
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Official name | Canada Post PERMANENT stamp |
| How it is marked | A boxed “P” in place of a printed value |
| What it covers | The current basic domestic Lettermail rate for an eligible standard letter within Canada |
| Does it expire after a rate increase? | No. Canada Post says it remains accepted at the current domestic rate. |
| Can it pay USPS postage? | No. It is issued by Canada Post, not USPS. |
What Does the “P” Mean?
The P is a value indicator, not an initial for a design or a collectible grade. Instead of printing a fixed amount, Canada Post ties the stamp to its basic domestic letter category. If that category’s price rises, an unused genuine Permanent stamp still covers the corresponding basic domestic service.
Canada Post’s current rate page lists a standard Canadian letter up to 30 g at $1.44 for a single stamp or $1.24 per stamp when bought in a booklet. Prices are Canadian dollars and can change, so check the official rate page before mailing.
Canada Permanent vs. USPS Forever
| Feature | Canada Post Permanent | USPS Forever |
|---|---|---|
| Postal operator | Canada Post | United States Postal Service |
| Primary domestic category | Eligible Canadian domestic standard letter | Eligible U.S. domestic one-ounce letter |
| Currency and network | Canadian postage in the Canada Post network | U.S. postage in the USPS network |
| Typical identifier | Boxed “P” | “FOREVER” and usually “USA” |
| Interchangeable? | No. Each pays postage only in its issuing postal system. | |
Which Stamp Should You Use?
- Mail sent within Canada: use Canada Post postage appropriate for the item. One Permanent stamp covers only an eligible basic domestic letter; weight, dimensions and service can require more.
- Mail sent from Canada to the United States: use Canada Post U.S.-rate postage, not a USPS Forever stamp.
- Mail sent from the United States to Canada: use USPS postage. For an eligible one-ounce international letter, a Global Forever stamp is the simplest single-stamp option.
If you are mailing from the United States, use our Forever stamps for international mail guide to check destination, weight, size and the current amount due.
Can Older Canadian Stamps Still Be Used?
Canada Post states that older Canadian stamps showing fixed values can still contribute their printed amounts. Add stamps until their total equals or exceeds the current required Canadian postage. A Permanent stamp works differently: it tracks its specified domestic rate category without requiring a top-up solely because that category’s rate increased.
Official Sources
See Canada Post’s stamp prices and Permanent-stamp explanation and its official stamp catalog.
Checked August 31, 2026. Rates are dynamic; the distinction between Canada Post Permanent and USPS Forever postage does not change with a rate adjustment.