We are quite an international group here on FF, and we often send each other letters and packages and things. But every country has its own quirks in their mail service/address format that not everyone may know of, so let's use this thread to share tips to make sure our mail arrives safe and sound!
Here are my tips for international mail TO the United States:1. A typical US address is very simple:
Mr. and Mrs. Penpal Name
123 Main StreetLas Vegas, Nevada
90210The Zipcode (eg: 90210) and street name (eg: Main Street) is very important! Our postmen/women can usually figure out which area of the country you're in just by looking up the Zipcode, and from there they just need your street name and house number to deliver it. So you can decorate your mail as you like, but make sure the Zipcode and house address/street name is legible. Sometimes our Zipcodes have an extra four numbers (eg: 90210-1234), which pinpoints the location further but not necessary if you don't know it. It's usually for places that has high volume mail like a PO box or apartments.
2. In my experience the USPS (our United States postal service, not to be confused with UPS, United Parcel Company, a private company) is pretty lenient... I have put stickers, glitter, pearls, washi tape etc on, and it still delivered. But don't expect it all to arrive (some pearls would be missing)... and mail time may be delayed.
3. Since the mail gets tossed around a lot, it's a good idea to use a good quality paper envelope (not too thin or it'll tear) and make sure it is completely sealed. I've received international (and domestic!) mail with torn or shredded corners cos of the thin paper, or barely sealed mail due to the glue unfastening. Better safe than sorry!
Here are some tips mailing FROM the United StatesSome of these may be pretty obvious, but believe me it was not obvious when I first came to the US! Lol!
1. Since postal rates are always going up (
), the US has a special kind of stamp called
Forever stamps... even if you buy a Forever stamp for 5 cents like 20 years ago, you can still use it to mail today.. cos it holds its value Forever! As long as your envelope is less than one ounce. You can totally double up two or three Forever stamps if your postage is extra.
2. If you don't have a Forever stamp, you'll have to look up what the current rate is.. right now an envelope less than 1oz costs 49 cents to mail within the US, and the same 1oz letter to an international destination is $1.15. Usually I just put maybe 20-30 cents extra, in case it is a little heavier.
3. To protect your envelope from smudging/rain you can always slip it in a clear plastic sleeve, but put the stamps on the sleeve (so the post office can stamp it). Make sure to account for the additional weight too, though. I usually put extra stamps anyway... better spend a few cents extra than to have it come back!
4. You don't need to write a customs form if you're sending a flat letter internationally... just stick your $1.15 stamp, write the address and return address and off it goes. You'll have to fill in a customs form if you're sending a package though.
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I'd like to ask for advice for other international areas, specifically Germany! What is up with the Hausestrasse line? Is that the house name? Do I absolutely need to do the squiggly ß and umlaut thing? Is German mail very strict and should we tone down the flourishing?
Please share more tips and tricks and advice!
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This year it's only Ken and I at Thanksgiving so we're just gonna go to a buffet, where we plan to sit for hours and eat all their expensive foods haha!