Sending Greetings To Austria: Card Costs And More

Sending a card to Austria from the US or UK? You'll need to make sure your envelope meets the minimum and maximum size requirements and that it's rectangular, bendable, and of uniform thickness. For a standard letter under 3.5 ounces, you can expect delivery to take 7-21 days. If you're sending a postcard, you'll need one Global Forever Stamp, costing $1.65. For larger envelopes, or flats, the base rate is $2.90, with extra charges for additional weight. It's important to be aware of any restrictions on items that can be sent to Austria, which vary from country to country.

Cost of sending a postcard to Austria

When sending a postcard to Austria, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure it arrives safely and on time. Firstly, it's important to ensure your postcard meets the standard size and weight requirements. The minimum size for a postcard is 5" x 3.5", and the maximum size is 11.5" x 6+1/8". Most smaller thank-you cards and larger greeting cards fall within these dimensions. Additionally, make sure your postcard is rectangular, bendable, and no thicker than 1/4". If your postcard exceeds these dimensions or thickness, it may be considered a "non-machinable" envelope, which could result in additional postage fees.

In terms of postage costs, sending a postcard to Austria typically requires one Global Forever Stamp, which costs $1.65. You can purchase stamps at your local USPS post office or online at USPS.com, where shipping for a sheet of stamps is just over $1. Alternatively, you can buy stamps from retailers like Walmart and Amazon, although prices may vary. It's worth noting that delivery time to Austria is usually longer than domestic delivery, ranging from 7 to 21 days.

If you're sending a larger envelope or package to Austria, the costs will differ. For a large envelope or "flat," the base rate is $2.90, with extra charges for additional ounces. The maximum weight for a flat is 15.994 ounces. The dimensions of a flat must be between 6-1/8" and 12" in length, and between 11-1/2" and 15" in width. The maximum thickness for a flat is 3/4".

When sending items internationally, it's important to be aware of any restrictions or prohibited items. Each country has its own rules and regulations, so be sure to check the guidelines provided by your local postal service and the destination country's postal service. For example, Royal Mail in the UK prohibits and restricts certain categories of items, and Austria may have specific restrictions as well. Always check the most up-to-date information before sending your postcard or package to ensure compliance with postal regulations.

Cost of sending a letter to Austria

The cost of sending a letter to Austria depends on the type of letter you are sending. For a standard letter (under 3.5 ounces), your envelope must be a minimum of 5” x 3.5”, a maximum of 11.5” x 6+⅛”, and no thicker than 1/4". If your envelope is not of uniform thickness, rectangular, and bendable, you may have a "non-machinable" envelope and will need to add $0.40 of extra postage. A standard security envelope is 9.5" x 4.25", a typical small thank-you note is 5" x 4", and a larger greeting card is 8.5" x 5.25".

If you are sending a postcard to Austria, you will need one Global Forever Stamp, which costs $1.65. The cost of a forever stamp increased from $0.55 to $0.58 in 2021.

If you are sending a large envelope ("flat") to Austria, the base rate is $2.90. The maximum weight for a standard letter is 3.5 ounces, so use a flat if you are sending more than 3.5 ounces. Extra ounces cost more, and the maximum weight is 15.994 ounces. Flats must be a minimum of 6-1/8" by 11-1/2" and a maximum of 12" by 15". The maximum thickness is 3/4".

You can buy stamps at your local USPS post office and online at USPS.com, where shipping is just over $1 for a sheet of stamps. Walmart, Amazon, and many local banks also sell stamps. However, stamps from Amazon are not a good deal at $16.18 for a sheet of 20, which you can get for $5.18 less directly from the USPS.

It is important to note that delivery time to Austria is typically 7-21 days, and there may be restrictions on certain items. For example, Royal Mail prohibits and restricts certain categories of items, so it is important to check that your item is allowed within their network before sending.

Cost of sending a package to Austria

The cost of sending a package to Austria varies depending on the weight and dimensions of the package, the delivery method, and the urgency of the shipment.

Prepaid Shipping Services

Prepaid shipping services like USPS, UPS, and Planet Express offer estimated shipping rates based on the weight and dimensions of the package. For example, USPS charges $2.90 as a base rate for a large envelope ("flat") to Austria, with extra ounces costing more, while Planet Express offers prices starting at around $10 for small packages with package tracking included. UPS provides a shipping cost calculator that considers the origin, destination, and weight of the shipment to provide accurate estimates.

Package Forwarding Services

Package forwarding services like MyUS and Planet Express can help save costs by consolidating multiple packages into one for shipment. MyUS offers exclusive low rates, fast delivery times, and door-to-door tracking, while Planet Express provides a free US address for receiving goods from US stores before forwarding them to Austria. These services can save up to 80% off standard international shipping rates, making them a cost-effective option.

Stamps for Letters and Postcards

When sending letters or postcards to Austria, the cost of postage depends on the weight and size of the item. A standard letter (under 3.5 ounces) in the US must be a minimum of 5" x 3.5" and a maximum of 11.5" x 6+⅛", with a uniform thickness of no more than 1/4". A postcard to Austria requires one Global Forever Stamp, which costs $1.65.

It's important to note that delivery times to Austria can range from 3 to 21 business days, depending on the shipping method and carrier.

Envelope size restrictions for Austria

When sending a letter to Austria, there are several restrictions to keep in mind regarding envelope size and address formatting. Firstly, ensure your envelope meets the minimum and maximum size requirements. For a standard letter under 3.5 ounces, your envelope should be a minimum of 5" x 3.5" and a maximum of 11.5" x 6⅛", with a thickness of no more than ¼". Larger envelopes, or "flats," have different size restrictions. They must be a minimum of 6⅛" x 11½" and no larger than 12" x 15", with a maximum thickness of ¾".

Additionally, to ensure smooth processing and delivery by the Austrian postal service, adhere to the following guidelines:

• Leave at least the bottom 16 millimetres (5/8 inch) blank on both the front and back of the envelope. This space is needed for postal service reading and sorting machines to print bar codes.
• The return address should be in the upper-left corner of the envelope and should not extend more than 40 millimetres from the top. It should not come within 74 millimetres of the envelope's right edge.
• The recipient's address should be in the centre of the envelope and should be at least 40 millimetres from the top. It should be at least 15 millimetres from the right edge and should not extend beyond 140 millimetres from the right edge.
• Use a clear font with an easily readable font size. Recommended fonts include Arial, Franklin, Verdana, Helvetica, Univers, Comic Sans MS, or Futura.
• The postcode line should only contain the postcode and the city, separated by a space. For example, "1020 Wien". Do not include additional symbols or country codes, as they may lead to rejection by the Austrian postal service.
• The country name should be the only content on the final address line. Ensure that the line with the postcode does not include the country name.

Prohibited items when sending to Austria

To send a card to Austria, you will need to attach a Global Forever Stamp, which costs $1.65. The cost of sending a letter depends on its weight. For a standard letter (under 3.5 ounces), the cost is $1.65. For a large envelope or "flat" (over 3.5 ounces), the base rate is $2.90, and extra ounces cost more. The maximum weight for a flat is 15.994 ounces.

When sending items to Austria, it is important to be aware of prohibited items. The following are prohibited from shipping to Austria by UPS:

• Liquids and gels of any type, especially when combined with electronic devices.
• Articles of exceptional value, such as works of art, antiques, precious stones, and gold or silver.
• Dangerous goods or hazardous materials, as defined by IATA regulations for Express and Expedited, and ADR regulations for Standard.
• Goods that attract excise duty, such as spirits, or those requiring special facilities, safety precautions, or permits.
• Goods prohibited by law in the country of origin, transit, or destination, such as ivory.
• Goods that can only be transported under prescribed conditions, and goods prohibited from transportation by air, such as liquids in glass containers.

Additionally, when importing goods into Austria from non-EU countries, there may be restrictions on animals, plants, and other goods. It is the shipper's responsibility to comply with the regulations and laws of the origin and destination countries.

Frequently asked questions