What EXACTLY do I need to do to send something to UK?

[HarryPlopperFan]

I wanted to send fanmail to Ralph Fiennes and some others in the UK ( ). I want to send a SASE, LOR, and a photo but I don't know how to get it over there and what I need to do. And how much it'll cost. Can I use a regular envelope? Or do I have to buy a special one? And do I have to pay for the other special to put as the return envelope to the US ( )? Thanks for the help! Oh and what about stamps? I know about IRC's so I'm probably going to buy mine online...Thanks again!

[bklynBridge95]

I just do what I normally do for everyone else and bring it to the post office. In terms of postage I've been putting like $2 in the envelope because every post office within spitting distance of me does not sell IRCs. I sent three out a while go to the wizard of oz cast in London, and those didn't have anything in terms of return postage and I got only one back because 2 of the ones I sent had left the show before the letters reached them I sent 4 more to the UK today. If you have any questions feel free to PM me.

[bklynBridge95]

one more thing don't write do not bend on the envelope cause they made me fill out customs forms which they have never made me do before today and I almost killed the woman running the desk cause she over charged me and just drove me insane.

[rachelj]

I think it should be fine if you write the 'Do Not Bend' thing. A while ago, I got my Tim Allen photo signed, but he didn't put on the 'Do Not Bend' signs, so when I received it back, it was pretty banged up. My advice is, you should try to see if your post office has a website, which provides a postage calculator service. For example, the USPS has one, you just imput your letter size and weight. Mail for us collectors, usually doen't exceed an ounce, or 20-30 grams. So, yeah. There you go. You just need probably a weighing scale? No need for a super professional one. Just a mini one or something. One more thing, you might want to write 'Photos, Please Do Not Bend!' instead of the plain 'Do Not Bend' which is more vague. That may prone you to customs checking. Haha. And spend more $$.
Happy collecting!

[Blackhawks026]

Firstly, forget about the IRC's. You're better off just sending a couple dollars or buying UK stamps and including those. IRC's are a big hassel for everyone.

Just write your letter and put it in an envelope like you would if you were sending to someone else in the US. Also include either an SAE or SASE using a normal envelope that'll fit your pictures. Remember though, dont put American stamps on the SASE, only put UK stamps on it (if you buy them).

I'd also advise you bring the envelope to the post office to have them weigh it and mail it, so you know you're paying the right amount. Plus then you wont have to deal with the hassle of trying to stick 6 or 7 stamps on the envelope. It'll cost between $1-$3 depending on how large and heavy your envelope is.


My last bit of advice is that you put a piece of cardboard in your SAE or SASE. That way your picture wont get bent in the mail. Just use like cardboard from a cereal box or something like that. The cardboard might end up costing you a little more to ship it, but trust me, it's worth it because you know your photo's wont be ruined or bent in the mail.

[bklynBridge95]

Firstly, forget about the IRC's. You're better off just sending a couple dollars or buying UK stamps and including those. IRC's are a big hassel for everyone.

Just write your letter and put it in an envelope like you would if you were sending to someone else in the US. Also include either an SAE or SASE using a normal envelope that'll fit your pictures. Remember though, dont put American stamps on the SASE, only put UK stamps on it (if you buy them).

I'd also advise you bring the envelope to the post office to have them weigh it and mail it, so you know you're paying the right amount. Plus then you wont have to deal with the hassle of trying to stick 6 or 7 stamps on the envelope. It'll cost between $1-$3 depending on how large and heavy your envelope is.


My last bit of advice is that you put a piece of cardboard in your SAE or SASE. That way your picture wont get bent in the mail. Just use like cardboard from a cereal box or something like that. The cardboard might end up costing you a little more to ship it, but trust me, it's worth it because you know your photo's wont be ruined or bent in the mail.

What they said^^ I never thought of the cardboard thing thanks for that I'm going to use that next time.

[Blackhawks026]

What they said^^ I never thought of the cardboard thing thanks for that I'm going to use that next time.

Yea you definitely should use the cardboard. A couple of my first requests got bent in the mail, and then I got a response back from someone (Blake Lewis maybe?) and they put a piece of cardboard in my envelope for me, and I've been doing that ever since and litterally not a single one of my pics have been bent at all

[dingleborder]

What I do for extra protection is I try to write my LOR on cardstock paper, so that way, the pictures don't get bent on the way there. I also fold a piece of cardstock and put it in my SASE. And then I take out the bent cardstock and reuse it on another request.

[kimmylee]

UK postage is expensive and price rises are due soon- and they will be big.

$5 is the amount to send, I don't think $2 would cover todays prices let alone when they go up.

[Blackhawks026]

UK postage is expensive and price rises are due soon- and they will be big.

$5 is the amount to send, I don't think $2 would cover todays prices let alone when they go up.

Depends on the size of the envelope. The bigger ones would require more like $5, but $2 is more than enough to cover a standard size envelope