Hi I live in the UK also and I used to use IRC's until a few months ago as I found them too pricey and found a cheaper option, go to the post office and aske if you can buy $3 it only costs about £1.50 and you put $3 in with your request and it is more than enough to cover the return postage

I've always assumed a central UPU office or such prints IRCs, not individual countries.. could be wrong about that though.

Either way, the current-issue IRCs do not expire until 2013, and were first issued back in 2009. There has never been an IRC that expires in 2011, so the information from Royal Mail is incorrect. If you can't purchase IRCs, then it may be worth it to buy stamps from countries you send to often, as kimmy suggested.

I am not sure what is going on here.

Firstly, the same thing happens every year with IRC's and the RM website. I purchased 2 IRC's summer 2011 with an expiry date of 2013.

I wasn't even aware it was Royal Mail who printed them honestly.

The only thing I can suggest is trading/purchasing stamps on the Autograph Sale/Exchange forum. I do this for US stamps. However I have had French/Irish requests where it is easier and cheaper to send an IRC. If no IRC's then I would have to find somehwere which aloows me to buy small amount of foreign currency and for example get some 5EURO notes.

Now I am worried too even though I think it is false information you have been given, RM are well known for getting things wrong!

Have you asked your Post Office for any extra details?

Maybe someone else has better info and will reply.