Sending a Postcard Internationally

We’re well into the 21st century, and it would seem that everyone has mastered the art of sending mail electronically by now. But there are still reasons to write a letter by hand – like if you’re writing to someone who doesn’t have stable internet access or you want to send them something tangible.

If you’re thinking about sending a postcard internationally, there are a few things you should know. First, you’ll need to know the difference between a postcard and a letter. While a letter usually comes in a large sheet of paper and can contain long paragraphs, a postcard is typically designed to only include a photo or graphic along with your message. Postcards can also be smaller than letters, and they don’t require an envelope.

You should also keep in mind that the contents of a postcard must be short, and you may not be able to use your usual writing utensils. You can find out more about what is permitted on a postcard in the guidelines for the postal service you’re using. In addition, some countries require that you fill out a customs form, whereas others don’t.

You’ll also need to make sure you have the proper postage. You can use a Global Forever postage stamp to send a postcard or a letter that weighs up to 1 ounce to most international destinations. You can purchase these at post offices, self-service kiosks, and Approved Postal Providers like grocery and drug stores. A portion of the cost covers the cost of postage in the United States, and the rest is used to compensate the destination country for local delivery costs.