New International Reply Coupons

Just a reminder for those who like to stockpile International
Reply Coupons (IRCs) - the current IRC will expire at the end of year.

Unlike the old style coupons, the current types all have an expiry date, giving them a maximum life of 3 years. If you purchased a current IRC today, they will still expire on December 31, 2009.

Ken, ZL2HU, advises us on the following information from the International Postal Union in Geneva:

"The current issue (Beijing 2) IRC may be exchanged up to 31 December 2009 (date printed on coupon). In principle, Beijing 2 coupons will no longer be sold from 31 August 2009.

"The new international reply coupon (Nairobi model) is due to go on sale from 1 July 2009, and will be valid for exchange until 31 December 2013."

Ken states, "So make sure you aren't holding any of the Beijing 2 coupons at the end of this year."

To see what the new IRC looks like, go to:
http://www.upu.int/news_centre/2008/en/2008-08-08_irc.shtml

Source: OPDX