# How much postage do you put on a letter- not package- to another country? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 4, 2005, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-postage-do-you-put-on-a-letter-not-package-to-another-country/306944 "2005-06-04T23:42:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![andrewdt85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/71e660/32.png) [@andrewdt85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andrewdt85)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2005, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-postage-do-you-put-on-a-letter-not-package-to-another-country/306944/1 "2005-06-04T23:42:38Z")
Just a letter. ---
**Author:** ![Cunctator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2005, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-postage-do-you-put-on-a-letter-not-package-to-another-country/306944/2 "2005-06-04T23:49:04Z")
It will probably depend on the country to which you’re sending the letter. It certainly does for international post from Australia. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2005, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-postage-do-you-put-on-a-letter-not-package-to-another-country/306944/3 "2005-06-04T23:49:14Z")
[www.usps.com](http://www.usps.com) ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2005, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-postage-do-you-put-on-a-letter-not-package-to-another-country/306944/4 "2005-06-05T00:04:34Z")
More specifically, the USPS’s [Domestic and International Postage Rate Calculator](http://ircalc.usps.gov/). Having a postal scale would be handy, though. ---
**Author:** ![Reeder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Reeder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reeder)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2005, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-postage-do-you-put-on-a-letter-not-package-to-another-country/306944/5 "2005-06-05T00:28:27Z")
Just take the letter to the post office and ask. ---
**Author:** ![andrewdt85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/71e660/32.png) [@andrewdt85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andrewdt85)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2005, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-postage-do-you-put-on-a-letter-not-package-to-another-country/306944/6 "2005-06-05T01:31:15Z")
No, I got it using the USPS site- thanks. ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2005, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-postage-do-you-put-on-a-letter-not-package-to-another-country/306944/7 "2005-06-05T01:48:28Z")
One ounce to Mexico or Canada is $0.60, and to everywhere else in the world is $0.80. ---
**Author:** ![andrewdt85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/71e660/32.png) [@andrewdt85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andrewdt85)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2005, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-postage-do-you-put-on-a-letter-not-package-to-another-country/306944/8 "2005-06-05T02:04:12Z")
Yep- or $1.11 if you just stick 3 37centers on there like I did. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Ice\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@Ice\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2005, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-postage-do-you-put-on-a-letter-not-package-to-another-country/306944/9 "2005-06-05T12:19:46Z")
In NZD - $1.50 to Australia, $2.00 to the US and UK. That’s airmail, mind. None of that “surface mail” lark. ---
**Author:** ![anson2995](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c77e96/32.png) [@anson2995](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anson2995)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2005, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-postage-do-you-put-on-a-letter-not-package-to-another-country/306944/10 "2005-06-05T12:49:49Z")
> [@commasense](#): > > One ounce to Mexico or Canada is $0.60, and to everywhere else in the world is $0.80. Also keep in mind that you will be required to fill out a customs form, even for a letter to Canada. This year they (Canada Post) implemeneted some rather snarky regulations about how envelopes must be addressed for delivery. I had one returned because I did not have the word “CANADA” in all caps. ---
**Author:** ![Canadjun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/76d3ee/32.png) [@Canadjun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Canadjun)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2005, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-postage-do-you-put-on-a-letter-not-package-to-another-country/306944/11 "2005-06-05T13:01:17Z")
> [@anson2995](#): > > Also keep in mind that you will be required to fill out a customs form, even for a letter to Canada. This year they (Canada Post) implemeneted some rather snarky regulations about how envelopes must be addressed for delivery. I had one returned because I did not have the word “CANADA” in all caps. Weird. You might be right, but I’m surprised we’re that picky. Are you sure firstly that it was Canada Post that bounced it and not USPS (for not properly indicating a foreign country) and secondly that it related to “CANADA” and not some other aspect of the address (e.g. I’ve had letters bounce within Canada because I got the postal code wrong)? Also interesting that you had to fill out a customs declaration for a letter - I would have thought the rules were more or less reciprocal and I’ve certainly never filled out one for the US (I don’t even take US letters to the post office - I just stick the appropriate postage on and throw it in the mailbox). ---
**Author:** ![Miss\_Violaceous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/2bfe46/32.png) [@Miss\_Violaceous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Violaceous)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2005, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-postage-do-you-put-on-a-letter-not-package-to-another-country/306944/12 "2005-06-05T13:17:06Z")
I’ve been mailing letters US-Canada on a weekly basis for a couple of months, and I’ve never had one bounce for lacking a customs form. The post office person who sold me my 60 cent stamps said nothing about a customs form, either. I’ve even tucked small items (pressed flowers, coins, etc) into the letter and had them get through just fine. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2005, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-postage-do-you-put-on-a-letter-not-package-to-another-country/306944/13 "2005-06-05T13:33:14Z")
[Airmail prices from the UK](http://www.postoffice.co.uk/portal/po/content1?catId=5000003&mediaId=400347) ---
**Author:** ![Cazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cazzle/32/75_2.png) [@Cazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cazzle)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2005, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-postage-do-you-put-on-a-letter-not-package-to-another-country/306944/14 "2005-06-05T15:23:28Z")
From Australia to the UK, New Zealand or the US, roughly $1.10 (that’s regular airmail on a letter that’s no more than 240mm x 130mm, no thicker than 5mm and weighing 20g or under). It might be the same to most/all other countries, I don’t know. All the random countries I tried came up at that same price. [Check for yourself](http://www1.auspost.com.au/pac/index.asp) if you’re curious. $1.10 Australian = $0.83 US = £0.46 UK = $1.03 Canadian ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2005, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-postage-do-you-put-on-a-letter-not-package-to-another-country/306944/15 "2005-06-05T15:45:12Z")
> [@anson2995](#): > > Also keep in mind that you will be required to fill out a customs form, even for a letter to Canada. This year they (Canada Post) implemeneted some rather snarky regulations about how envelopes must be addressed for delivery. I had one returned because I did not have the word “CANADA” in all caps. This is incorrect, according to anything I can find. Canada has implemented stricer policies but they don’t correspond to what **anson** says. [http://www.usps.com/communications/news/press/2004/pr04\_069.htm](http://www.usps.com/communications/news/press/2004/pr04_069.htm) > [@](#): > > CANADIAN OFFICIALS STRICTLY ENFORCE CUSTOMS, ADDRESSING REQUIREMENTS FOR INBOUND INTERNATIONAL MAIL > > WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Postal Service is alerting customers mailing items to Canada they must comply with strict Canadian Customs and postal administration addressing requirements. > > All postal items (except postcards) that do not display the complete name and address of both the sender and the recipient – in roman letters (A, B, C) and Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3) – are being denied entry into Canada. Sender or recipient identification such as “Grandma” or “Aunt Ruth” are not acceptable and are among the causes of mail being returned. > > According to Canadian officials, this action is pursuant to the Canada Customs Act and reflects heightened security measures. > > Accordingly, addresses to recipients in Canada should be printed in ink or typewritten in capital letters, and the last line of the address must show only the country name, written in full, and in capital letters. When a Canadian postal delivery zone number is included in the address, mailing requirements allow that number to appear as the last line of the address. > > Customers also are reminded that complete and legible customs declarations – along with required import documentation – must be provided to specifically identify the contents of any package. General descriptions such as “gift” or “present” are not acceptable. > > Canadian Customs offices report a backlog of incoming postal items containing incomplete or inaccurate information. According to Canadian officials, these items eventually will be returned to their points of origin for correction by the sender as soon as practical. However, I send out letter-sized and larger-sized mail to 30 or more countries on a regular basis. You do _not_ need to fill out a customs form for ordinary air mail under 16 ounces. [http://www.usps.com/global/customs.htm](http://www.usps.com/global/customs.htm) > [@](#): > > A customs form is not required on the following categories of mail: > > Non-dutiable letter-post items that weigh less than 16 ounces. You do: > [@](#): > > If the value of the contents is less than $400.00, affix Customs Form - PS Form 2976 to the exterior of the mailpiece. -If the value of the contents is $400.00 or more, affix the upper portion of the green customs label Customs Form - PS Form 2976 to the exterior of the mailpiece and place a completed Customs Declaration and Dispatch Note - PS Form 2976-A inside the package. > > Letter-post items weighing 16 ounces or more, and all potentially dutiable items regardless of their weight, require the applicable customs forms. ---
**Author:** ![andrewdt85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/71e660/32.png) [@andrewdt85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andrewdt85)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2005, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-postage-do-you-put-on-a-letter-not-package-to-another-country/306944/16 "2005-06-05T16:29:37Z")
Er… okay, I’m not sure if my letter to Munich, Germany that I just sent with $1.11 postage will make it okay, but I’m not worried. Do they require forms too? 😕 Learning experience. And you thought letter writing was a dead art. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![andrewdt85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/71e660/32.png) [@andrewdt85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andrewdt85)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2005, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-postage-do-you-put-on-a-letter-not-package-to-another-country/306944/17 "2005-06-05T16:30:45Z")
Never mind, I just read the above post. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![anson2995](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c77e96/32.png) [@anson2995](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anson2995)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2005, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-postage-do-you-put-on-a-letter-not-package-to-another-country/306944/18 "2005-06-05T16:54:24Z")
[QUOTE=Exapno Mapcase] This is incorrect, according to anything I can find. Canada has implemented stricer policies but they don’t correspond to what **anson** says. Hmm. Not sure what you mean, since the issue I described was right there in the piece you quoted (bolding mine). > [@](#): > > Accordingly, addresses to recipients in Canada should be printed in ink or typewritten in capital letters, **and the last line of the address must show only the country name, written in full, and in capital letters**. As for the need for customs forms, I’ll stand corrected. I send CD-ROMs to Canada, not letters, and I have been asked for the customs forms. ---
**Author:** ![TheLoadedDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/35a633/32.png) [@TheLoadedDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheLoadedDog)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2005, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-postage-do-you-put-on-a-letter-not-package-to-another-country/306944/19 "2005-06-05T23:12:29Z")
**Postal Employee checking in (ease up there, I’m Australian and un-armed):** **1.** The cost of sending a letter from any one country to any other country is remarkably uniform. Sending a letter is not like buying a glass of local whisky (which might be US$12 in Tokyo and US$0.70 in Vientiane - pulling figures out of the air here). The very international nature of mailing a letter petween two countries means that external forces tend to equalise cost: airline charges and transfer payments (what postal administrations pay one another) are going to be near the same for a third world country as for a G7 nation (more or less). Distance and weight do make some impact, but not as much as you might think. Mailing something to the antipodes might be less than half as much again compared to sending something just across the border. The upshot of all this is that the cost of posting a standard letter from anywhere to anywhere else in the word is usually within the relatively narrow range of about US$0.75 to around US$1.80. If you get a letter from the Third World, remember it has probably cost the sender a significant chunk of their day’s pay. **2.** I’m not sure what is up Canada’s bum here, but this is the first I’ve heard of such strict rules. Australia Post (and every other postal administration I’m aware of) do attempt to effect delivery wherever possible, and with ten or twenty percent of ex-international mail being incorrectly addressed, most countries do pretty well at this. All countries tend to publish guidelines for correct addressing and they do their best to encourage folks to adhere to them, but I’ve never heard of a letter with an obvious address being thrown back on a plane because the country name wasn’t in all caps. I can’t imagine this rule lasting - the Universal Postal Union would hardly be pleased with it (nor would the USPS which has to return them all). **3.** Under UPU regulations, I am not aware of standard letters requiring any customs documentation in or from any country. It generally works as follows: - Sending a standard letter overseas requires no more documentation than sending one down the street. It just has to bear the correct address and postage. - Enclosing objects (even pens, buttons etc) within a standard letter is forbidden. If you do this, expect the receiving postal administration to hand it over to their customs officers to be opened and inspected before delivery, or for the article to be returned to you. For even a small object, send a parcel instead. - Large envelopes (up to A4 size) are generally treated as “standard letters”, although obviously postage is higher for them. These do not need customs documentation either, but it might be a good idea to write “documents only” somewhere on the front. Don’t enclose objects. - Parcels need the green customs slip, with the exception of parcels containing thick wads of documentation which can get away with the handwritten “documents only” or “printed papers only” treatment. ---
**Author:** ![Nanoda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Nanoda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nanoda)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2005, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-postage-do-you-put-on-a-letter-not-package-to-another-country/306944/20 "2005-06-06T00:27:09Z")
Yeah, the idea of ‘customs forms’ for letters is baloney, but if you’re shipping items of some sort, watch the heck out. I shipped a bunch of personal CD players I sold on eBay to the States, and had to fill out nearly a dozen forms. One of them was for the FCC saying whether they conformed to radio emission regulations, and I had to put the _city_ where the manufacturing company is. Fortunately the UPS lady helped me figure out where Sony’s HQ is, and it apparently went through. :rolleyes: [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-postage-do-you-put-on-a-letter-not-package-to-another-country/306944.md?page=2)