Last reviewed: August 25, 2026. Postal prices can change; verify unusual pieces with USPS before mailing.
Quick answer: One Global Forever stamp covers a machinable 1-ounce letter or postcard mailed from the United States to Canada in 2026. If you only have regular U.S. Forever stamps, you need three: two are worth $1.64, which is $0.11 short of the $1.75 international price.
2026 postage from the U.S. to Canada
| Letter weight | USPS price | Global Forever stamps | Regular $0.82 Forever stamps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Postcard or letter up to 1 oz | $1.75 | 1 | 3 ($2.46) |
| Over 1 oz through 2 oz | $2.35 | 2 ($3.50) | 3 ($2.46) |
| Over 2 oz through 3 oz | $2.95 | 2 ($3.50) | 4 ($3.28) |
| Over 3 oz through 3.5 oz | $3.50 | 2 | 5 ($4.10) |
Whole-stamp combinations are convenient, not always economical. You may combine valid U.S. postage denominations to reach the required amount. The values above apply to mail that qualifies as a First-Class Mail International letter; large envelopes and packages have different prices.
Why Canada still uses an international rate
Canada is an international destination under USPS rules even though it shares a border with the United States. The $1.75 single-piece price is a Canada-specific rate shown in USPS Notice 123. It is not the domestic one-ounce letter price.
The Global Forever stamp is designed for this task: its postage value tracks the current one-ounce international letter price. A regular Forever stamp tracks the domestic one-ounce First-Class Mail letter price. Both remain valid postage, but they represent different dollar values.
Examples
A birthday card weighing 0.8 ounce
If it is rectangular and machinable, use one Global Forever stamp. Three regular Forever stamps also provide enough postage but overpay by $0.71.
A 1.6-ounce document letter
The price is $2.35. Three regular Forever stamps provide $2.46 and overpay by $0.11. Two Global Forever stamps provide $3.50, so mixing denominations may be more economical.
A square greeting card
An otherwise letter-size piece that is square or nonmachinable can require an additional international nonmachinable surcharge. Do not assume the base $1.75 covers it; review the current characteristics and surcharge.
What one Global Forever stamp does not cover
- A letter over 1 ounce.
- A large envelope or flat.
- A parcel or rigid mailer.
- Mail sent from Canada back to the United States. That mailing originates in Canada and needs Canadian postage.
For destinations other than Canada, see our Global Forever stamp guide. For domestic mail, start with what one regular Forever stamp covers.
Before you mail
- Weigh the sealed item.
- Confirm it is a letter, not a flat or parcel.
- Write CANADA clearly on the last address line.
- Check current USPS country conditions for restrictions.
- Use the counter for merchandise, tracking, customs questions, or an uncertain classification.
Frequently asked questions
Are two regular Forever stamps enough for Canada?
No for a base-price letter in 2026. They total $1.64, while the price is $1.75.
Can I use old Forever stamps?
Yes, genuine unused U.S. postage remains usable at its current postage value. A regular Forever stamp is worth the current domestic one-ounce letter price, regardless of its printed design.
Do I need customs forms for a letter?
Ordinary correspondence generally differs from a package containing goods. Contents, value, and mail class determine customs requirements, so use the USPS international tools or ask at the counter when mailing merchandise.