International reply coupon: Difference between revisions
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* UK suspended the issue of IRC since December 31, 2011 due to the shortage of needs, but still accept IRC to redeem postage. | * UK suspended the issue of IRC since December 31, 2011 due to the shortage of needs, but still accept IRC to redeem postage. | ||
* Some entities can't exchange IRCs issued by themselves, such as South Korea. | * Some entities can't exchange IRCs issued by themselves, such as South Korea. | ||
* The Holy See can exchange IRCs issued by themselves immediately, which allows customer to buy postage stamps with discount in an indirect way. Using 1.3 EUR to buy an IRC allows to redeem 3.35 EUR for an unregistered airmail destinated to Australia.<ref>[https://www.xiaohongshu.com/discovery/item/68cef569000000001300c7a1 <nowiki>如何使用回信券（便宜购买邮票）—梵蒂冈 [How to use IRCs (to buy postage stamps with discount - The Holy See]</nowiki>]<small>🔐</small>. REDnote. September 21, 2025. [Last accessed on May 25, 2026]. <small>(in Simplified Chinese)</small></ref> | * The Holy See can exchange IRCs issued by themselves immediately, which allows customer to buy postage stamps with discount in an indirect way. Using 1.3 EUR to buy an IRC allows to redeem 3.35 EUR for an unregistered airmail destinated to Australia.<ref>[https://www.xiaohongshu.com/discovery/item/68cef569000000001300c7a1 <nowiki>如何使用回信券（便宜购买邮票）—梵蒂冈 [How to use IRCs (to buy postage stamps with discount) - The Holy See]</nowiki>]<small>🔐</small>. REDnote. September 21, 2025. [Last accessed on May 25, 2026]. <small>(in Simplified Chinese)</small></ref> | ||
== Extended Reading == | == Extended Reading == | ||
Revision as of 16:38, 24 May 2026
International reply coupon, or simply IRC, is a coupon that can be exchanged at any Universal Postal Union (UPU) members. This coupon was introduced during the Rome Congress in 1907.[1]
On 17 September 2025, at the 28th Universal Postal Congress in Dubai (United Arab Emirates), the UPU member countries decided, with a view to adapting and simplifying the universal services, to discontinue the IRC as of 31 December 2026. In celebration of the exceptional legacy of the IRC, a special commemorative product will be released.[2]
To Buy and Exchange
- IRCs are sold online in post entities of some places, such as Germany and France.
- UK suspended the issue of IRC since December 31, 2011 due to the shortage of needs, but still accept IRC to redeem postage.
- Some entities can't exchange IRCs issued by themselves, such as South Korea.
- The Holy See can exchange IRCs issued by themselves immediately, which allows customer to buy postage stamps with discount in an indirect way. Using 1.3 EUR to buy an IRC allows to redeem 3.35 EUR for an unregistered airmail destinated to Australia.[3]
Extended Reading
Reference
- ↑ International Reply Coupons. UPU. [Last accessed on May 25, 2026]
- ↑ Press Release: End of a chapter, start of a legacy – the international reply coupon enters the history books. UPU. December 15, 2025. [Last accessed on March 11, 2026].
- ↑ 如何使用回信券（便宜购买邮票）—梵蒂冈 [How to use IRCs (to buy postage stamps with discount) - The Holy See]🔐. REDnote. September 21, 2025. [Last accessed on May 25, 2026]. (in Simplified Chinese)
