International reply coupon
From Postal Wiki
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 a 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)
