[Dx-qsl] IRC Expiration

[NB1B]

Guys

I am a Postmaster with the USPS.  My comments here are based upon the
information I have been given.  Redeeming IRCs and selling postage is an
important aspect of my job.

As of today, there has been NO literature disseminated on a foreign postage
rate increase in June.  There has been NO information that the rate of
redemption for IRCs will be changing, or that current IRCs will not be
accepted for exchange after some unspecified date in the future.

Foreign postage rates are set by a posting in the Federal Register; that has
to appear so many days (I think it is 60) before the rates can be changed.
If you are looking for information about it, that is the place to look.
There are also several sources, all internal, that get advance information
on the rates- as of last Friday, they had heard nothing on either a Foreign
postage rate increase or a change in IRC redemption rates.

Does that mean it won't happen?  No.  It just means that, as of last Friday,
there is no information available that says it will happen.  My professional
belief is that there will be a foreign postage increase this summer- maybe
not coinciding with the domestic rate increase- and that, some time in the
future, IRCs sold before some prior date (for example, 1995) won't be
redeemable.  Why else would the new IRCs have an expiration date? The
precedent is already set by not redeeming IRCs dated before 1975.

When I find out anythng, I will post it to the list.  As of right now, there
is nothing to post.

Dennis NB1B