Stamps in England

[AutographWanter]

How much are stamps in England? Because I'm going to go there on vacation soon and I thought it would be cheaper if I just send my letters to people in England when I'm over there.

[barmy_army008]

Firs class stamps cost 30p, and they are meant to arrive within one working day. Second Class cost 21p, and are emant to arrive within 3 working days. I usually just use second class, because a couple of days here and there doesn't really make a difference in collecting!

I presume you'll also be using UK stamps on the SASE? I think anything up to 20g costs 62p, which is annoying because unless you go to a post office and have it weighed, you'll be losing money with normal stamps.

If you do decide to just use 1st/2nd class, I think its the value of them that has to be made up to 62p (or whatever cost). So you could three 2nd class or two 1st and one 2nd (at least I think thats how it works - someone correct me if i'm wrong please).

Great idea by the way - i'd never have thought of that.

[TheCollector]

Firs class stamps cost 30p, and they are meant to arrive within one working day. Second Class cost 21p, and are emant to arrive within 3 working days. I usually just use second class, because a couple of days here and there doesn't really make a difference in collecting!

I presume you'll also be using UK stamps on the SASE? I think anything up to 20g costs 62p, which is annoying because unless you go to a post office and have it weighed, you'll be losing money with normal stamps.

If you do decide to just use 1st/2nd class, I think its the value of them that has to be made up to 62p (or whatever cost). So you could three 2nd class or two 1st and one 2nd (at least I think thats how it works - someone correct me if i'm wrong please).

Great idea by the way - i'd never have thought of that.

Hi barmy_army008,

You are totally right! If you want to just use 1st and 2nd class stamps (and so avoid a massive queue in the post office!) you can use multiples up to their face value. e.g. if you want to get to 62p, you can use 3 second class (21p each) stamps giving you 63p.

I often do this when mailing to the USA from the UK.

Remember though - you will need to get hold of some free "AIRMAIL" stickers from a post office and put this on your return envelope, otherwise you risk it coming back to you via surface mail. This can officially take up to 6 weeks to the USA from the UK.

Airmail is a few days only.

By the way, for visitors to the UK, you can purchase books of stamps from most supermarkets and newsagents. This can save you a lot of time! Books are available of self-adhesive stamps in 12's of both 1st and 2nd class.

From a post office, you can get self adhesive stamps in books of up to 100.

Hope this helps!

Cheers {thumb2}
Ian

[Guest]

They usually put a sticker on it saying 'Priority Mail', over here.
Last time, the lady forgot to put the sticker on one of my envelopes. Does anyone know if it's going to take much longer, now? (Is Priority Mail the same as Airmail?!)

[KellyMBel]

I do not think Priority is the same as airmail. Priority it normal mail like if you were to send a letter....it would get there around the same time.

[TheCollector]

Hi all

I think priority mail in the US is like our First Class mail over in the UK. It just means it is dealt with as a priority for earlier delivery in the same country. You just pay a little more.

Your standard mail is like our 2nd class which arrives anything from next day to 2 or 3 days later in the same country.

When sending mail overseas you really have to use an AIRMAIL sticker which usually says on it: "AIRMAIL - PAR AVION". - I believe this is the same where ever you are.

AIRMAIL means it is sent overseas via air in only a few days. Airmail to the US from the UK is a couple of days. But if you don't use an AIRMAIL sticker or mark the envelope AIRMAIL then it will most likely go SURFACE MAIL - (via road and sea and takes absolutely ages!!!!!!) UK to USA surface mail is up to 6 weeks!

Hope this is helpful!
Ian

[barmy_army008]

Remember though - you will need to get hold of some free "AIRMAIL" stickers from a post office and put this on your return envelope, otherwise you risk it coming back to you via surface mail. This can officially take up to 6 weeks to the USA from the UK.

I think you mentioned it in your second post, but I believe its ok just to write 'Airmail' in the top left corner of the envelope. It would probably be best to get some stickers, but just writing should be fine too.

[AutographWanter]

Wow this is really confusing lol I'll try to figure it out by the time I go.

[TheCollector]

Remember though - you will need to get hold of some free "AIRMAIL" stickers from a post office and put this on your return envelope, otherwise you risk it coming back to you via surface mail. This can officially take up to 6 weeks to the USA from the UK.

I think you mentioned it in your second post, but I believe its ok just to write 'Airmail' in the top left corner of the envelope. It would probably be best to get some stickers, but just writing should be fine too.

Hi barmy_army008 ,

Yep, as far as I am aware it is OK just to write AIRMAIL on the envelope. I did post this as an answer elsewhere on the forum, but got a lot of objections to the contary! But I still think it is OK!

It is, as you say, better to get proper stickers. The UK post offices will give you a whole sheet (100) stickers if you ask for them over the counter. Then you can keep a few in stock!

Cheers,
Ian {thumb2}

[Emma]

Ian is right, you can just write 'airmail'. I have recieved many letters from people who have wrote it on and its arrived ok.