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How to post to USA and back to UK?

Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2012 6:26 pm
by LOSTCrumpus
Hello,

I have lots of fan mail I want to send to the USA but I have no idea how to go about. I am kind of new to this and have only ever sent out fan mail to others in the UK.

I just wanted to know if there is anything in particular need when posting to the USA and anything my envelope needs so I get it back correctly? Do I need special US stamps or do I get airmail stamps from the Post Office. Someone please help with all this. Of there is already a thread about this please point me to the direction of it.

Much apprenticed

Re: How to post to USA and back to UK?

Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2012 7:12 pm
by kimmylee
Hi there, you have a couple of options for US postage on your SASE. You will need US stamps (which can be purchased from bri here on the forum, she is open again soon) or send a few $1 bills with your request which can be gotten from loads of places.

How much postage you need depends on the type of envelope, size/weight of the item, as a guide I always send 6x4's in a normal envelope and use $2.10 worth of stamps.

When you have everything ready to send, just go to the Post Office to get it weighed and stamped.

Or if you have stamps at home, use kitchen scales to get the weight and put enough stamps on to cover postage using the price finder here.

Re: How to post to USA and back to UK?

Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2012 9:35 pm
by LOSTCrumpus
kimmylee wrote:Hi there, you have a couple of options for US postage on your SASE. You will need US stamps (which can be purchased from bri here on the forum, she is open again soon) or send a few $1 bills with your request which can be gotten from loads of places.

How much postage you need depends on the type of envelope, size/weight of the item, as a guide I always send 6x4's in a normal envelope and use $2.10 worth of stamps.

When you have everything ready to send, just go to the Post Office to get it weighed and stamped.

Or if you have stamps at home, use kitchen scales to get the weight and put enough stamps on to cover postage using the price finder here.

So I HAVE to have US stamps on my SASE to get it back? Will they need to be US airmail stamps? Then I need the right amount of them for it to be the correct weight? What do you mean by stamp it? Stamp the price and weight or something?

My envelopes are about 6.5x9. Will my local Post Office not have US stamps?

Is it best to have the US stamps already on the letter or send them the money for them? I don't want my items not coming back. Which do most people believe is the best?

Also what happens if something of mine gets to the USA and then gets lost like the address isn't valid anymore will my letter be stuck in the USA or will it be RTS.

Sorry for all these questions I just don't want to waste money, time and lose stuff.

Re: How to post to USA and back to UK?

Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2012 10:01 pm
by EmmaSheree
I had the same problem as you.

I included $2 in the lowest amount $1 dollar bill which can be exchanged at any post office and travel agent.

The Minimum International postage is $1.05 so $2 should be sufficient although depends on the weight. so you wont need special US stamps just stamps which add up to that amount at least which can be Bought on Ebay or from Bri when she re openes the stamp shop on the forum.

On the Letter going to the US make sure you write USA below the address and write a return address too.

With addresses and try to avoid an RTS just reaserch the success rate with the address first.

Any questions feel free to PM me