[Dx-qsl] Re:

Tue Jun 27 14:05:32 EDT 2006

The quoted IMM section is indeed confusing. Both it and the wording if the 
IRC itself differentiate between selling the IRC and exchanging it for 
postage, and the expiration wording on the IRC expressly refers to exchanging.
That being said, this wouldn't be the first time the IMM was not updated in 
a timely manner. The section you quoted is correct for the older post-1975 
IRCs that preceded the large ones and that did not contain an express 
exchange expiration date.
While US Post Offices may indeed go by the IMM, I'm glad the UPU issued 
their clarification and hopefully the IMM will someday be corrected to 
reflect it.
73, Dick
At 10:40 AM 6/27/2006, Richard DiDonna NN3W wrote:
 >Well, I think there was a little doubt. I found the comment that raised my
 >eyebrows somewhat. From the Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin (June 12, 2006):
 >
 >>>>DON'T THROW AWAY THOSE OLD IRCS! Glenn, K2FF, points out to OPDX readers
 >that the date on the current IRCs that reads "31 Dec 06 is an expiration
 >date which simply means they can't be SOLD to customers AFTER that date.
 >However, they can be redeemed forever. Hams simply need to be armed with the
 >copy of the right pages from the International Mail Manual (IMM). Glenn
 >states, "This is right out of the 2006 edition of the International Mail
 >Manual..." Please note the last sentence in very first paragraph:
 >
 >372 International Reply Coupons
 >372.1 Description
 >
 >a. The sender of a letter may prepay a reply by purchasing reply coupons
 >which are sold and exchangeable for postage stamps at post offices in member
 >countries of the Universal Postal Union. The period of exchange of
 >international reply coupons issued by the Universal Postal Union on or after
 >January 1, 1975 is unlimited.
 >
 >Glenn states, "I still redeem the little old IRCs at my post office here on
 >the MS Gulf Coast!"<<<<
 >
 >
 >73 Rich NN3W
 >
 >
 >
 >----- Original Message -----
 >From: "Dick Flanagan" <dick at twohams.com>
 >To: "Richard DiDonna NN3W" <nn3w at cox.net>
 >Cc: <ku9c at ku9c.com>; "dx-qsl-mailman.qth.net" <dx-qsl at mailman.qth.net>;
 >"Ron" <ac7dx at clearwire.net>
 >Sent: Tuesday, June 27, 2006 1:34 PM
 >Subject: Re: [Dx-qsl] (no subject)
 >
 >
 >> At 10:27 AM 6/27/2006, Richard DiDonna NN3W wrote:
 >> >I'd also point that that this is another piece of evidence confirming the
 >> >expiration of certain IRCs on December 31, 2006.
 >>
 >> No real doubt. The expiration date is printed on the back of the new
 >> IRCs. Look at the fine print at the bottom of the back side (or on the
 >> front if you can read French :)
 >>
 >> 73, Dick
 >> --
 >> Dick Flanagan K7VC NV SM
 >> E-mail: k7vc at arrl.org
 >>
 >>