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July 7th, 2024

International Reply Coupon

An International Reply Coupon (IRC) is a postage exchange coupon for priority airmail letters between UPU member countries. IRCs have various designs, with the current Abidjan Model valid until 2025. Prices and availability vary by country, with some discontinuing sales due to low demand. IRCs have a history dating back to 1906 and were infamously exploited by Charles Ponzi in 1920.

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International Reply Coupon

An International Reply Coupon (IRC) is a coupon that can be exchanged for postage stamps to send a priority airmail letter to another Universal Postal Union (UPU) member country. IRCs are accepted by all UPU member countries, allowing individuals to include the cost of postage for a reply when sending mail internationally. IRCs are printed in blue ink with the letters "UPU" and are available in various designs, each with an expiration date. The current model, the Abidjan Model, will be valid until 2025. Prices and availability of IRCs vary by country, with some countries ceasing sales of IRCs due to declining demand. IRCs are commonly used by amateur radio operators for sending QSL cards internationally. The history of IRCs dates back to 1906 when they were introduced at a UPU congress in Rome. Charles Ponzi famously exploited IRCs in a Ponzi scheme in 1920, taking advantage of differing postal rates in different countries.

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By @rmason - 3 months
I've used International Reply Coupons as a ham. When hams 'work' each other they exchange something called QSL cards that are the size of a post card confirming the conversation. Speak with enough US States or foreign countries you can submit your QSL cards to qualify for awards like Worked All States (WAS) or countries confirmed (DXCC).

When working overseas hams, particularly when they live in the third world it was common to mail them enough IRC's to cover the return postage for them. Now while QSL cards haven't disappeared most of it has moved to the web and digital confirmations.

By @lmm - 3 months
I sent these out with my international wedding invitations (in Japan it's normal to include a stamped reply postcard). Had to go around several large post offices to get enough (indeed I thought they must've stopped making them and only be selling leftover stock, although the wikipedia page and Japan Post website suggest otherwise).

Felt like a fun old-timey experience, like sending a telegram or postal order. Most of my relatives apparently couldn't work them out though, even though I included detailed instructions.

By @sbassi - 3 months
I used them to write to a short wave radio station, so they send a QSL card. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QSL_card
By @cheema33 - 3 months
I didn't know anything about international reply coupon until I found out that this is what Charles Ponzi used to build his famous scheme on.
By @RIMR - 3 months
Ah yes, the source of the original Ponzi Scheme, before Ponzi finished scheming.
By @endgame - 3 months
Is it possible for consumers to still buy these from overseas? My country seems to have stopped selling them, but I'd love to mail one to a faraway friend.