sending SAE from the USA to the UK question

[Puckoff]

Hi sorry for asking a question thats probably been posted a hundred times. Would anyone know the number of Liberty USA "forever" Stamps it would cost to get a board backed 9 x 12.75 Inch envelope containing 2 photos (3oz) sent back to me in the UK if I send it to the US?
I've tried the US postal site and can't really make any sense of it.

Any help would be greatfully appreciated
Stevie

[SelenaandDemiFan]

Hi.
I think you mean SASE? SAE isn't stamped.
Anyways, did you try this one? http://postcalc.usps.gov/ They assume your sending from the US, so you'd select UK. The date doesn't matter and neither will the flat rate service because it just predicts delivery. You select the shape. (I'm just assuming all here) I picked "large envelope" and entered "0.3" as the ounces. Don't check any of the boxes on the next step unless they apply to you.
Then when you get to the 3rd page, click "First-Class Mail® International Options" which will be the 3rd blue stripe.

If my calculations are right, you'll need 1.30 USD for stamps and the Liberty Bell forever are currently 0.44 So probably 3-4 stamps since it's overseas.

I explained all this in case you might want to use it in the future.

Hope I helped.

[HappinessStan]

I've just done the calculation on the USPS website for a 3oz large envelope and it says $3.04, or $3.46 if the envelope doesn't bend easily (which it won't if it's board backed, presumably?) That's seven or eight Forever stamps respectively.

I've found that you can get it down to 2oz by substituting the board backed envelope for an A4 envelope with a fairly thin piece of card for protection, in which case it's $2.17 (or $2.59 if it doesn't bend easily), which is five or six Forever stamps. I use six and get them back consistently.

As an aside, bear in mind if you ever decide to send smaller envelopes that C5 (standard in the UK) are considered 'over size' in the US and cost considerably more to send than one which is about a quarter of an inch smaller all round. I generally send 6"x4" photos these days to the US, as three Forever stamps will get those back, so I can write to twice as many people, hoorah!

Good luck.

[Puckoff]

Thanks so much for your help guys Gonna try that tip with the A4 and thin card inserted:) it's not the cost, it's the availabilty of the forever stamps

Thanks again

Stevie