How do I send international mail?

Question

First of all I am talking about post mail, not e-mail.

Anyways: I have an email penpal that would like to switch to snail mail now that we've gotten to know each other, but I have no idea how to send international mail!

Do I need a special envelope? Special stamps? I understand that I can get the mail weighed at the post office and pay for postage there, but do I need to put the letters in anything specific?

For now, I will only be sending letters, no packages.

Also, any idea the going rate for sending a letter overseas on average? I would be sending from the USA to South Korea. I also need to send mail to England.

I've heard that there are flat-rate envelopes for international mail, but they seem more for sending packages. I'm hoping I can use normal envelopes...

Thanks very much for your help!!

Answer 1

You can mail letters and other personal correspondence internationally from the U.S. using either First Class Mail International or Priority Mail International. Well, you could use Global Express Mail, but it sounds like that is overkill.

If you want to use PMI, the flat-rate envelopes are a good choice. The PMI-FRE postage is $11 to most countries ($9 to Canada and Mexico). Personally, I would use FCMI for ordinary letters, but as the weight goes up PMI-FREs become an attractive option. Rates for FCMI to the UK range from 90 cents for 1 ounce up to $29.60 for 4 pounds. To South Korea, rates via FCMI range from one ounce for 90 cents, to 4 pounds for $27.50.

PMI flat rate envelopes do not carry tracking and insurance is not offered for them. They can be great for heavier documents, however, as there is a point at which PMI-FREs are cheaper than using FCMI.

You can indeed use your own envelopes for any class of mail. If you want to get the Flat Rate, however, you must use the USPS-provided flat rate box or envelope.

In terms of postage, you can use stamps, PC Postage, metered postage, or have postage applied at the post office.

Be aware that anything weighing 16 ounces or more, or containing dutiable merchandise, must have a customs form affixed. At 13 ounces or heavier, the mailpiece must be handed to a postal worker (cannot be left in a your mailbox or in a blue mailbox). A simple letter is unlikely to need any of this.

FCMI does have some restrictions, such as for size of the mailpiece. Read them at http://pe.usps.com/text/imm/immc2_020.htm. FCMI does need to have some indication that it is airmail. Post offices carry the appropriate stickers, but you can also write "AIRMAIL/PAR AVION" on the front. See IMM 244.2 for details.

Answer 2

How To Send International Mail

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
How do I send international mail?
First of all I am talking about post mail, not e-mail.

Anyways: I have an email penpal that would like to switch to snail mail now that we've gotten to know each other, but I have no idea how to send international mail!

Do I need a special envelope? Special stamps? I understand that I...

Answer 4

You can use the same envelopes, but you'll need to ask the Postmaster for an Airmail stamp to whatever country your friend is from. They're usually 80 cents to $1 a stamp depending on where it's going.
I have a friend in the Netherlands and we always received each other's mail-no problem.

Answer 5

I'm sure you've made a decision by now, but for future shipping needs you might try en.360zebra.com/. When it comes to international shipping, I always struggle with figuring out which categories to choose on customs forms... Choosing the right tax category can be so daunting. This service seems to take a lot of the guesswork and hassle away. Maybe it can help someone else out there!

Answer 6

You can go to the post office and they will put a stamp on it for you. You will then know how much it costs for the next time. You can use a regular envelope. I just mailed a letter from Ohio to the Phillipines this week and it cost 90 cents.

Answer 7

it depend how fast you want the mail to get to its destination. it will cost you more if you want over night mail.cost less if it weekly mail. post office will weight and stamp your mail and you don;t need any special stamps.

Answer 8

Wow, thankyou! Just what I was looking for. I tried looking for the answer on other websites but I couldn't find them.

Answer 9

Was gonna ask this too

Answer 10

Look: