From 1976 to 1998, the first weight step international letter rate increased from 20 cents for the first ounce to 90 cents for the first 20 grams. This post shows examples of the rates for this period.
For international letter rates from January 1, 1999 to the present, go to this posting.
1. September 1, 1976 - December 31, 1976 : 20 cents
Prior to July 1, 1971, international letters and post cards could be sent by surface mail or by air mail. On July 1, 1971, the surface rates were abolished. All letters and post cards shown in this post were conveyed by air.
On September 1, 1976, the international letter rate increased from 15 cents to 20 cents for the first ounce. The post card rate which had been 10 cents was abolished. The post card rate was the same as the letter rate.
Weston to London, February 3, 1976
20 cents international letter rate
Lindsay to Berlin, July 3, 1976
20 cent international letter rate (rate for post cards was the same as the letter rate)
2. January 1, 1977 - March 31, 1978 : 25 cents
The letter rate increased from 20 cents to 25 cents for the first ounce on January 1, 1977.
Montreal to Merano, Italy, June 9, 1977
25 cents international letter rate
Toronto to Budapest, Hungary, February 13, 1977
25 cents international rate
To St. Augustine, Trinidad, April 197725 cents international letter rate
3. April 1, 1978 - March 31, 1979 : 30 cents
The international letter rate increased from 25 cents to 30 cents for the first ounce on April 1, 1978.
Weston to Cleveland, England, December 6, 1978
30 cents international letter rate
4. April 1, 1979 - June 30, 1979 : 35 cents for the 1st ounce
Natashquan to London, June 26, 1979
35 cents letter rate (for the 1st ounce)
5. July1, 1979 - December 31, 1981 : 35 cents for the 1st 20 grams
On July 1, 1981, Canada Post adopted metric weights.
Mississauga to Ratingen, Germany, September 15, 1981
35 cents letter rate ( for the 1st 20 grams)
6. January 1, 1982 - January 14, 1983 : 60 cents
The international letter rate increased over 40% on January 1, 1982 when the rate rose from 35 cents to 60 cents.
M4L 3T0 (Toronto Letter Processing) to Neubrunn, Germany, May 28, 1982
60 cents international letter rate
7. January 15, 1983 - June 23, 1985 : 64 cents
Marieville to Lesotho, May 17, 1985
64 cents international letter rate
8. June 24, 1985 - March 31, 1987 : 68 cents
Ste Adele to Bonn, Germany, July 15, 1985
68 cents international letter rate
9. April1, 1987 - December 31, 1987 : 72 cents
The 72 cent rate was in effect for 10 months.
Ottawa to Lesotho, September 25, 1987
72 cents international letter rate
10. January 1, 1988 - December 31, 1988 : 74 cents
From 1988 to 1992, international letter rates increased each year on January 1.
St-Jerome to Nianing, Senegal, December 13, 1988
74 cents international letter rate
11. January 1, 1989 - December 31, 1989 : 76 cents
Calgary to Stockholm, March 29, 1989
76 cents international letter rate
12. January 1, 1990 - December 31, 1990 : 78 cents
Vancouver to Ascension Island, October 24, 1960
78 cents international letter rate
13 . January 1, 1991 - December 31, 1991 : 80 cents
Hampton to Ulan-Bator, Mongolia, March 20, 1991
80 cents international letter rate
14. January 1, 1992 - December 31, 1992 : 84 cents
Markham to Lesotho, May 22,1992
84 cents international letter rate
15. January 1, 1993 - February 28, 1994 : 86 cents
Ottawa to Ratingen, Germany, July 22, 1993
86 cents international letter rate
16. March 1, 1994 - July 31, 1995 : 88 cents
Vancouver to Ottobrunn, Germany, April 10, 1984
88 cents international letter rate
17. August 1, 1995 - December 1, 1998 : 90 cents
The international letter rate remained at 90 cents for over 3 years.
Toronto to Milan, Italy, March 20 1996
90 cents international letter rate