Odd Shaped Postcards - How do you send them?

[Ruru1212]

I recently bought a set of odd shaped postcards and was wondering how do you send them? In an envelope or can they be sent like normal postcards? In India, they can’t be sent like normal rectangle postcards.
Does your country allow them to be sent normally?

I saw this Coffee filter postcard sent ( ODD SHAPE POSTCARDS - International Union of Mail-Artists )

and was wondering if sending in a plastic bag would help?

Also, do you send only a certain size? Like can only the bigger ones be sent or any size and shape?

[Shalottslady]

Speaking as a Belgian, we can send odd postcards but then we need to pay triple (yes, that is 3x) the postage. The same goes for square postcards. So, for us, it is much cheaper to send those cards in an (rectangular) envelope.

[France-Montreal]

In Canada odd shapes postcards are not a problem. I sent many without any problems

[Ruru1212]

@Shalottslady

Speaking as a Belgian, we can send odd postcards but then we need to pay triple (yes, that is 3x) the postage

Wow. That is quite interesting… In India, we have a few standard sizes of envelopes that are accepted and anything apart from that that are obviously not the right size (say for example a square envelope is not standard), we’re charged double the postage for the weight of the envelope + its contents.

[Ruru1212]

@France-Montreal

In Canada odd shapes postcards are not a problem.

Do they have to be a certain size though? I got mine and some are barely approximately 7 cms * 3 cms big.

[France-Montreal]

I sent a dozen of postcards like this one 20x14 cm with regular postage and they all made it. Maybe I was just lucky

[Ruru1212]

Wow that is quite the postcard! I think maybe Canada Post is just better at recognising it as postcard… I don’t think India Post would though… they already think postcards are dying and I get quite the eyebrow raise when I buy domestic postcards!

[kaotto]

I think, I Germany you can send them, but it expensive.

[aerobear]

In USA, I’ve had good luck sending odd shaped postcards as long as I put an additional non-machinable surcharge stamp (butterfly stamp) on them. For one very odd-shaped card, though, I sent in an envelope to prevent damage:

Postcrossing postcard US-7862045 from U.S.A.

[Ruru1212]

@aerobear

I put an additional non-machinable surcharge stamp (butterfly stamp) on them.

So that means, it does require additional postage right?

[siobhan]

@kaotto

I think, I Germany you can send them, but it expensive.

Actually, you can’t. Odd-shaped postcards must be sent in an envelope, so in a way, yes, it’s more expensive. Square cards can be sent without an envelope, but the postage required is much higher.

[kaotto]

Okay, wieder was gelernt. Danke!

[aerobear]

Yes, if it is something that is too thick, or the wrong shape to go through the postal sorting machines, it must have a non-machinable surcharge (extra postage).
Here’s a recent thick, odd-shaped card I sent:

Postcrossing postcard US-7906815 from U.S.A.

and the postage on it:

[Ruru1212]

@aerobear

if it is something that is too thick, or the wrong shape to go through the postal sorting machines, it must have a non-machinable surcharge (extra postage).

oh wow, everyday you learn something new!
I’m sure if I try, they’d just end up sitting in the post office until someone throws it out. But odd postcards do get delivered! That’s a good thing!

[Ruru1212]

CHAMPAGNE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - MAILART KATEDINE - ART POSTAL - COUPS DE COEUR...

I just saw this and was wondering… is this actually possible to send?!

[aerobear]

I just ended a lottery for these wooden surfboard postcards. I will be sending them out with extra postage and hoping they arrive!

[simplyrubies]

Yes, all postcards must be of a minimum size for Canada Post. The minimum dimensions are 140mm x 90mm.

I’m not sure what happens if your card is a bit smaller than the size required by a few millimetres though.

I purchased some odd-shaped postcards and they came much smaller than I anticipated, so I am mailing them out in envelopes or sticking them on the back of other postcards to ensure that they will make it through Canada.

[Mirfi]

I have sent odd shaped cards from Australia with and without envelopes. The cost is no different. I am always worried if they will arrive due to their shape. The ones I have put in envelopes, th e sender has requested this. And on another occasion the card had sharp edges that I thought could get caught in a sorting machine.

Postcrossing postcard AU-726534 from Australia

Postcrossing postcard AU-746133 from Australia

Both sent without envelopes.

Postcrossing postcard AU-769059 from Australia

This one I put in an envelope, I thought the pointy bits at the top could get ripped off.

[Angelthecat]

Square cards must be sent in envelope.

Or look here:

[TALK] Rund um die Deutsche Post und private Briefdienste

Der neue Portoberater ist sowieso der letzte sch*** Es war viel besser, als man einfach seine vor sich liegende Karte messen konnte und ein Ergebnis präsentiert bekommen hat. Dafür gibt es ja jetzt noch die extra Option “kleinere Karte”, die find ich an sich nicht schlecht… solch eine hatte wohl jeder von uns schonmal in der Hand. Seit dem neuen Portoberater ist aber auch das mit den quadratischen Karten rausgeflogen… dort steht jetzt, dass sie prinzipiell nur im Umschlag verschickt werden dürf…

[Ruru1212]

@Mirfi

Both sent without envelopes.

Those are so cool! I didn’t know these existed too! I remember reading it somewhere that bottles and coconuts can be mailed in the US like a postcard (as in stick stamps and address on it and mail!).