# Self-addressed return mail from UK to USA **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 2, 2013, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/self-addressed-return-mail-from-uk-to-usa/649162 "2013-02-02T23:54:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![The\_Composer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/898d66/32.png) [@The\_Composer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Composer)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2013, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/self-addressed-return-mail-from-uk-to-usa/649162/1 "2013-02-02T23:54:23Z")
In preparation to send fan mail from the USA to a London address, I’d like to know how to include a self-addressed envelope, at least 8 1/2 x 11 or 9 x 13 for an autographed photo. How do I calculate how much postage is needed for return from London to USA? Or, I believe I read somewhere that there may be some sort of “vouchers” that need to be used instead of actual postage so that the sender can apply the correct postage? I have looked on www royalmail com, but there is a lot of information there and I can’t find exactly what I need. Any help will be appreciated. Thank you! ---
**Author:** ![Santos\_L\_Halper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/santos_l_halper/32/1_2.png) [@Santos\_L\_Halper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Santos_L_Halper)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2013, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/self-addressed-return-mail-from-uk-to-usa/649162/2 "2013-02-03T02:47:06Z")
You need to get what’s called an ‘International Reply Coupon’. edit to say: Whoops, according to wikipedia, the USPS just discontinued them. 🙂 If you include the self addressed **stamped** envelope, remember the return stamps would have to be British ones meant for international letters. Sounds like a pain in the ass to work out. ---
**Author:** ![Snerky\_Snerk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6bbea6/32.png) [@Snerky\_Snerk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snerky_Snerk)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2013, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/self-addressed-return-mail-from-uk-to-usa/649162/3 "2013-02-03T11:02:01Z")
If no one comes along with a better idea, you could try here - [http://www.postoffice.co.uk/online-postage](http://www.postoffice.co.uk/online-postage) ---
**Author:** ![Snerky\_Snerk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6bbea6/32.png) [@Snerky\_Snerk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snerky_Snerk)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2013, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/self-addressed-return-mail-from-uk-to-usa/649162/4 "2013-02-03T11:23:33Z")
> [@Snerky\_Snerk](#): > > If no one comes along with a better idea, you could try here - [http://www.postoffice.co.uk/online-postage](http://www.postoffice.co.uk/online-postage) And that won’t work for you, because the item would have to be posted within 24 hours. :smack: What have the USPS replaced International Reply Coupons with? Anyone know? ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2013, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/self-addressed-return-mail-from-uk-to-usa/649162/5 "2013-02-03T12:42:29Z")
> [@Snerky\_Snerk](#): > > What have the USPS replaced International Reply Coupons with? Anyone know? [Nothing](http://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2012/pb22352/html/updt_005.htm). > [@](#): > > International Reply Coupons: The Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC), in its PRC Order No. 1541, approved the Postal Service’s proposal to discontinue outbound international reply coupons effective January 27, 2013; however, the Postal Service will continue to exchange (redeem) international reply coupons purchased in foreign countries and presented at U.S. Post Office™ facilities. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2013, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/self-addressed-return-mail-from-uk-to-usa/649162/6 "2013-02-03T13:27:52Z")
Why not just put a ten dollar bill in the envelope? ---
**Author:** ![Asympotically\_fat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e47c2d/32.png) [@Asympotically\_fat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asympotically_fat)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2013, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/self-addressed-return-mail-from-uk-to-usa/649162/7 "2013-02-03T14:47:55Z")
Use the royal mail site, you can enter in the details of what you want to be sent and you can buy and print the postage from the site: [http://www.royalmail.com/packet-despatch-low/international-delivery/airmail](http://www.royalmail.com/packet-despatch-low/international-delivery/airmail) ---
**Author:** ![The\_Composer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/898d66/32.png) [@The\_Composer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Composer)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2013, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/self-addressed-return-mail-from-uk-to-usa/649162/8 "2013-02-03T20:30:28Z")
Thanks a lot for the replies, everyone. I believe I have some help from **Tapioca Dextrin** , and I’m also waiting on a response from someone at Royal Mail. It’s nice to be “acquainted” with helpful people. You guys are the best!