This describes the traditional activity of national Postal Services. Establishments that perform these activities, such as the operation of rural Post Offices on contract to the Postal Service, are included in this subsector. This follows the industrial classification concept that ownership should not determine the industry of an establishment, but rather the activity undertaken. However, the delivery of bulk mail on contract to the Postal Service is not included here, because it is usually done by transportation establishments that carry other customers' goods as well. The Couriers subsector includes two types of activities.
Couriers deliver parcels between cities.
The parcels must be no larger or heavier than a single driver can handle without special equipment. The Couriers industry includes the establishments that perform intercity transportation as well as establishments that, under contract to them, do the local pick-up and delivery. Where the Postal Service undertakes a courier activity, and it can be delineated as one or more separate establishments, it is included in the Couriers industry. This reflects the rule concerning ownership referred to above. Canada expects to be able to delineate such establishments, but Mexico and the United States do not.