Editing International reply coupon

{{Short description|Coupon exchangeable for postage stamps}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2021}}
{{More footnotes needed|date=July 2024}}
An '''international reply coupon (IRC)''' is a coupon that can be exchanged for one or more [[postage stamp]]s representing the minimum postage for an unregistered priority airmail letter sent to another [[Universal Postal Union]] (UPU) member country. IRCs are accepted by all UPU member countries.

UPU member postal services are obliged to exchange an IRC for postage, but are not obliged to sell them.

The purpose of the IRC is to allow a person to send someone in another country a letter, along with the cost of postage for a reply. If the addressee is within the same country, there is no need for an IRC because a [[self-addressed stamped envelope]] (SASE) or [[return postcard]] will suffice; but if the addressee is in another country an IRC removes the necessity of acquiring foreign [[Mail|postage]] or sending appropriate [[currency]].

== Description ==
[[File:US Postal Service International Reply Coupon 1978.png|thumb|US Postal Service International Reply Coupon 1978]]

International reply coupons<ref>section 380 Supplemental Services, subsection 381 International Reply Coupons.{{cite web|title=Summary of Changes, Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, International Mail Manual, Issued July 7, 2014|url=http://pe.usps.com/cpim/ftp/manuals/imm/full/imm.pdf}}</ref> (in French, ''Coupons-Réponse Internationaux'') are printed in blue ink on paper that has the letters "UPU" in large characters in the watermark. The front of each coupon is printed in French. The reverse side of the coupon, which has text relating to its use, is printed in German, English, Arabic, Chinese, Spanish, and Russian. Under Universal Postal Union regulations, participating member countries are not required to place a control stamp or postmark on the international reply coupons that they sell. Therefore, some foreign issue reply coupons that are tendered for redemption may bear the name of the issuing country (generally in French) rather than the optional control stamp or postmark.

The Nairobi Model was an international reply coupon printed by the Universal Postal Union which is approximately 3.75 inches by 6 inches and had an expiration date of 31 December 2013. This model was designed by Rob Van Goor, a graphic artist from the Luxembourg Post. It was selected from among 10 designs presented by Universal Postal Union member countries. Van Goor interpreted the theme of the contest – "The Postage Stamp: A Vehicle for Exchange" – by depicting the world being cradled by a hand and the perforated outline of a postage stamp.

The Doha Model is named for the 25th UPU congress held in Doha, Qatar, in 2012. The Doha model, designed by Czech artist and graphic designer Michal Sindelar, shows cupped hands catching a stream of water, to celebrate the theme of Water for Life. It expires after 31 December 2017.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.upu.int/nc/en/activities/international-reply-coupons/about-irc.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140130224502/http://www.upu.int/nc/en/activities/international-reply-coupons/about-irc.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=30 January 2014 |title=Universal Postal Union: About international reply coupons |website=Upu.int |access-date=30 January 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2012-12-12|title=Czech out new coupon design|url=https://www.upu.int/en/News/2012/12/Czech-out-new-coupon-design|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211206142316/https://www.upu.int/en/Universal-Postal-Union/Activities/Philately-IRCs/International-Reply-Coupons-(IRCs)|archive-date=2021-12-06|access-date=2021-12-20|website=www.upu.int|language=en-GB}}</ref>

The Istanbul Model was designed by graphic artist Nguyen Du (Vietnam) and features a pair of hands and a dove against an Arctic backdrop representing sustainable development in the postal sector. Ten countries participated in the competition which was held 7 October 2016, during the UPU congress in Istanbul, Turkey. It expires after 31 December 2021.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.upu.int/en/activities/international-reply-coupons/new-illustration-for-2017-2021.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170316145802/http://www.upu.int/en/activities/international-reply-coupons/new-illustration-for-2017-2021.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 March 2017 |title=Universal Postal Union: New illustration for 2017–2021 |website=Upu.int |access-date=5 December 2018 }}</ref>

The Abidjan Model, named for the 27th Congress held in Abidjan, [[Ivory Coast]] from 9 to 27 August 2021, was designed by graphic artist Valeryia Tsimakhavets (Belarus) and features a Tree with New Leaves and Birds which represent the Eco-System and Climate Protection. This model was originally set to expire after 31 December 2025, but the expiration date was later extended to 31 December 2026.<ref name="upu-irc-2024-11-27">{{cite web|url=https://www.upu.int/en/universal-postal-union/activities/philately-ircs/international-reply-coupons-ircs#news-|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241112055132/https://www.upu.int/en/universal-postal-union/activities/philately-ircs/international-reply-coupons-ircs#news-|archive-date=12 November 2024|title=International Reply Coupons (IRCs)|access-date=27 November 2024}}</ref>

== History ==
The IRC was introduced in 1906 at a Universal Postal Union congress in [[Rome]]. At the time an IRC could be exchanged for a single-rate, ordinary postage stamp for surface delivery to a foreign country, as this was before the introduction of [[airmail]] services. An IRC is exchangeable in a UPU member country for the minimum postage of a priority or unregistered airmail letter to a foreign country.

IRCs are ordered from the UPU headquarters in [[Bern]], [[Switzerland]] by [[Postal administration|postal authorities]]. They are generally available at large [[post office]]s; in the U.S., they were requisitioned along with regular domestic stamps by any post office that had sufficient demand for them.
[[File:British-International-Reply-Coupon.jpg|thumb|right|A British 1 Shilling IRC issued in 1959.]]
Prices for IRCs vary by country. In the [[United States]] in November 2012, the purchase price was $2.20<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pe.usps.com/cpim/ftp/manuals/dmm300/Notice123.pdf |title=International reply coupon cost listed on USPS Extra Service Price List|publisher=[[United States Postal Service]]|access-date=6 November 2012}}</ref> [[USD]]; however, the US Postal Service discontinued sales of IRCs on 27 January 2013 due to declining demand.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2012/pb22352/html/updt_005.htm |title=IMM Revision: Changes to Pricing and Mailing Standards for International Mailing Services |publisher=[[United States Postal Service]] |access-date=27 January 2013 |archive-date=25 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130125231831/http://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2012/pb22352/html/updt_005.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Britain's Royal Mail also stopped selling IRCs on 31 December 2011, citing minimal sales and claiming that the average post office sold less than one IRC per year. IRCs purchased in foreign countries may be used in the United States toward the purchase of postage stamps and embossed stamped envelopes at the current one-ounce First Class International rate (US$1.20 as of November 2020) per coupon.<ref name="usps-irc-policy">{{cite journal |url=https://pe.usps.com/text/imm/immc3_020.htm |journal=Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service - International Mail Manual |publisher=[[United States Postal Service]] |title=International Reply Coupons |date=2 November 2020 |access-date=18 November 2020 |archive-date=4 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204053803/https://pe.usps.com/TEXT/IMM/immc3_020.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="usps-prices">{{cite web |title=Notice 123: Price List - First-Class Mail Int'l |url=https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/Notice123.htm#_c341 |publisher=[[United States Postal Service]] |access-date=18 November 2020 |date=18 October 2020 |archive-date= 2 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201102035024/https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/Notice123.htm#_c341}}</ref>

IRCs are often used by [[amateur radio]] operators sending [[QSL card]]s to each other; it has traditionally been considered good practice and common courtesy to include an IRC when writing to a foreign operator and expecting a reply by mail.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.n6hb.org/s-a/irc.htm |title=International reply coupons |publisher=Amateur Radio Station N6HB |date=28 July 2007 |access-date=7 August 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509073122/http://www.n6hb.org/s-a/irc.htm |archive-date=9 May 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> If the operator's home country does not sell IRCs, then a foreign IRC may be used.

Previous editions of the IRC, the Beijing, Nairobi, Doha and Istanbul Models and all post-2000 versions, bear an expiration date. The current IRC, the Abidjan Model, will be valid until the end of 2026.<ref name="upu-int-2024-11-27">{{cite web|url=https://www.upu.int/en/universal-postal-union/activities/philately-ircs/international-reply-coupons-ircs|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250215194711/https://www.upu.int/en/universal-postal-union/activities/philately-ircs/international-reply-coupons-ircs|title=International Reply Coupons (IRCs)|access-date=9 March 2025|archive-date=15 February 2025 }}</ref>

== Country details ==
Since about 2010, several countries have ceased selling International Reply Coupons. Below is information about different countries.

===Australia===
{{As of|July 2024}}, Australia Post still sells International Reply Coupons at a cost of $4.55 each.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://auspost.com.au/content/dam/auspost_corp/media/documents/post-guides/post-charges-guide-ms11.pdf |title=Australia Post MS11 Post Charges Booklet as at 1 July 2024 |date=1 July 2024 |website=auspost.com.au|access-date=17 July 2024}}</ref>

===China (Mainland)===
[[File:2021 Abidjan IRC, P.R.China version.jpg|thumb|A 2021 [[Abidjan]] IRC, [[Mainland China]]'s version (printed by Beijing Stamp Factory)]]
{{as of|2024}}, [[China Post]] sells an IRC for 12 [[Renminbi|CNY]], and exchanges a valid IRC for 7.4 CNY worth of postage (including equivalent imprinted stamps on [[postal stationery]]).<ref>{{Cite book |last=China Post Group Corp. |url=http://archive.org/details/2022_20240721 |title=《Rules for the Handling of International, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao Mail (2022 Edition)》 |date=2022}}</ref>

===Finland===
{{as of|November 2024}}, [[Posti Group|Posti]] sells International Reply Coupons for 3.75 EUR, and exchanges a valid one for 2.75 EUR worth of stamps.<ref>{{cite web |title=Letter Price List |url=https://www.posti.fi/en/sending/letters-and-postcards/letter-price-lists |website=posti.fi |access-date=9 November 2024 |archive-date=9 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241109224626/https://www.posti.fi/en/sending/letters-and-postcards/letter-price-lists |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref>

===France===
{{as of|2024}}, La Poste sells an IRC for 1.96 EUR.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.laposte.fr/pp/coupon-reponse-international-abidjan/p/1121550|title=Coupon Réponse International Abidjan - La Poste|access-date=27 November 2024}}</ref>

===Germany===
{{as of|2022}}, Deutsche Post sells an IRC for 2 EUR.<ref>{{cite web |title=Internationaler Antwortschein, Shop Deutsche Post |url=https://shop.deutschepost.de/portogutscheininternationaler-antwortschein |access-date=10 November 2022}}</ref>

===Hong Kong===
{{as of|December 2022}}, International reply coupons are sold by the HongKong Post for 19 [[HKD]],<ref name="IRCHK">{{cite web |title=HongKong Post International Reply Coupon |url=https://stamps.hongkongpost.hk/eng/newsletter/2017/10/20171018e.htm |access-date=22 October 2018 |archive-date=8 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180908061846/https://stamps.hongkongpost.hk/eng/newsletter/2017/10/20171018e.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> and exchanges a valid IRC for 5.5 HKD worth of postage.<ref name="IRCHK"/>

===Italy===
Poste Italiane is slowly phasing out the sales of IRC. The last series, named ''"Istanbul"'', was issued in 2017 in only 10,000 pieces, which expired at the end of 2021.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.replycoupon.it/2019/03/09/modello-istanbul/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200130172902/http://www.replycoupon.it/2019/03/09/modello-istanbul/ | url-status=dead | archive-date=30 January 2020 | title=MODELLO ISTANBUL | publisher=Replycoupons.it | access-date=14 August 2021 }}</ref>

===Japan===
After October 2023, The Japan Post sells an IRC for 180 [[Japanese yen|JPY]], and exchanges a valid IRC for 160 JPY worth of stamps.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.post.japanpost.jp/int/service/int_coupon_en.html |title=International Reply Coupon |website=japanpost.jp}}</ref>

160 JPY is enough to deliver a letter all over the world by airmail (120 JPY by shipmail).

===Luxembourg===
{{as of|2024}}, [[Post Luxembourg]] sells an IRC for 2.20 EUR.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.postphilately.lu/en-US/products/collectionneurs/produits-philateliques/coupon-reponse-international-150-ans-upu|title=INTERNATIONAL REPLY COUPON 150 yers UPU - Post Philately|access-date=27 November 2024}}</ref>

===Macao===
{{As of|2024}}, [[CTT (Macau)|Macau Post and Telecommunications (CTT)]] sells an IRC for 12 [[Macanese pataca|MOP]], and exchanges a valid IRC for 6 MOP worth of postage, with a cost of redeeming stamps for 5 MOP.<ref name="第62/2005號行政命令">{{cite web |author=澳門特別行政區行政長官辦公室 |title=第62/2005號行政命令 |url=https://bo.io.gov.mo/bo/i/2005/52/ordem62_cn.asp |publisher=印务局 |access-date=2023-09-30 |archive-date=2022-12-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221201004309/https://bo.io.gov.mo/bo/i/2005/52/ordem62_cn.asp |language=zh-mo}}</ref>

===Norway===
{{As of|March 2024}}, [[Posten Bring|Posten]] sells IRCs online, and at their 30<ref>{{cite web|author=John Thomas Aarø |url=https://e24.no/teknologi/i/21Ox3q/reisen-fra-3500-til-30-postkontorer |title=Reisen fra 3.500 til 30 postkontorer - Media - E24 |publisher=E24.no |date=2012-06-17 |access-date=2024-03-17}}</ref> remaining post offices. The cost is 38 NOK per IRC.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.posten.no/sende/sende-utland/internasjonal-svarkupong |title=Forhåndsbetaling av svarporto |website=posten.no}}</ref>

===Singapore===
[[Singpost|Singapore Post]] sells IRCs at its GPO in Paya Lebar.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.singpost.com/about-us/publications/section-1-counter-services |title=International Reply Coupon |website=www.singpost.com |access-date=13 September 2023 }}</ref>  IRCs are sold for S$2.50, and can be redeemed for S$1.40.

===Switzerland===
International reply coupons are sold by the Swiss Post in packs of 10 for 30 CHF.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://shop.post.ch/shop/ui/de/verpacken-versenden/briefversand/einschreiben-prepaid/internationale-antwortscheine/p/554094|title=Set: Internationale Antwortscheine {{!}} postshop.ch|website=postshop.ch|language=de-ch|access-date=18 January 2024}}</ref>

===Taiwan===
After the adoption of [[United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758]], the [[Republic of China]] (Taiwan) lost its membership in the [[Universal Postal Union]] starting from April 13, 1972, and [[Chunghwa Post]] no longer issues IRCs since then. {{As of|2024}}, they only accept and exchange valid Japanese IRCs, for 13 [[TWD]] worth of stamps per Japanese IRC.{{NoteTag|There is no express document, but this is an email reply from [[Chunghwa Post]].}}

===Thailand===
Thailand Post sells an IRC for 53 THB as of 2020.

===Turkey===
[[File:Turkish International Reply Coupon, 2017-2022, Front.png|thumb|right|An International Reply Coupon issued by [[PTT (Turkey)|Turkish Post]] in 2019]]
{{As of|2022}}, Turkish Post only sells IRCs through their administration branches.

Turkish Post exchanges a valid IRC for 10 TRY worth of stamps as of 2021. 10 TRY is not enough to deliver a letter all over the world. (E.g. a postcard to Japan requires 21 TRY.)

===United Kingdom===
The [[Royal Mail]] stopped selling IRCs on 31 December 2011<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.royalmail.com/reply-sender |title=Reply to sender |website=Upu.int |access-date=8 December 2017 |archive-date=11 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190611155638/https://www.royalmail.com/reply-sender |url-status=dead }}</ref> due to a lack of demand.

===United States===
The United States Postal Service stopped selling international reply coupons on 27 January 2013.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://pe.usps.com/IMM_Archive/NHTML/IMM_Archive_20161003/immc3_020.htm | title=381 International Reply Coupons | publisher=US Postal Service | access-date=6 December 2020 | archive-date=17 October 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017173749/https://pe.usps.com/IMM_Archive/NHTML/IMM_Archive_20161003/immc3_020.htm | url-status=live }}</ref>

== The Ponzi scheme==
{{Main|Ponzi scheme}}

In 1920, [[Charles Ponzi]] made use of the idea that profit could be made by taking advantage of the differing postal rates in different countries to buy IRCs cheaply in one country and exchange them for stamps of a higher value in another country. His attempts to raise money for this venture became instead the fraudulent [[Ponzi scheme]].<ref name="zuckoff">{{cite book|last1=Zuckoff|first1=Mitchell|title=Ponzi's scheme - the true story of a financial legend|date=10 January 2006|publisher=Random House Trade Paperbacks|location=New York|isbn=0812968360}}</ref>

In practice, the overhead on buying and selling large numbers of the very low-value IRCs precluded any profitability.  The selling price and exchange value in stamps in each country have been adjusted to some extent to remove some of the [[arbitrage|potential for profit]], but ongoing fluctuations in currency value and exchange rates make it impossible to achieve this completely, as long as stamps represent a specific currency value, instead of acting as vouchers granting specific postal services, [[Non-denominated postage|devoid of currency nomination]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Economics of Stamp Collecting |url=https://www.investopedia.com/investors-philately-trends-5218636 |access-date=2024-06-30 |website=Investopedia |language=en}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Heys Collection]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

===Notes===
{{Notefoot}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|International reply coupons}}
* [https://www.upu.int/en/Universal-Postal-Union/Activities/Philately-IRCs/International-Reply-Coupons-(IRCs) UPU IRC info]
* [https://www.upu.int/en/Universal-Postal-Union/Activities/Philately-IRCs/International-Reply-Coupons-(IRCs)/Lists UPU list of countries selling IRCs]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080509073122/http://www.n6hb.org/s-a/irc.htm IRC info]
* [http://www.ad1c.us/upu_rules_irc.htm Some IRC illustrations and exchange guidelines] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070301160642/http://www.ad1c.us/upu_rules_irc.htm |date=1 March 2007 }}
* [http://www.dxzone.com/catalog/DX_Resources/QSLing/International_reply_coupons/ International Reply Coupons and Ham Radio]

{{DEFAULTSORT:International Reply Coupon}}
[[Category:1906 establishments in Italy]]
[[Category:1906 introductions]]
[[Category:Universal Postal Union]]
[[Category:Postal stationery]]
[[Category:Philatelic terminology]]