[CQ-Contest] Everything you ever wanted to know about IRCs

[Sandy Farley]

IRCs are not actually a Postal Service product.  They're issued by the Universal Postal Union for use by member countries, of which the United States is one.  If you run into a postal clerk who doesn't know what they are, tell that person to check the International Mail Manual, or IMM, under section 372 for instructions on how to handle them.
   
  Here's a link to that information online.  It might be worthwhile to print it out and take it with you to the post office in case you run into a clerk that hasn't worked with them before:
  http://pe.usps.gov/text/imm/immc3_025.htm
   
  For more information about the Universal Postal Union, you can go here:
  http://www.upu.int/
   
  Some countries cannot use IRCs.  Here is a directory of member countries:
  http://www.upu.int/pls/ap/www_sites.display_sites?p_language=an
   
  Hope you all find these links helpful.
   
  73/88, Sandy N7RQ (USPS retired)