Making Up Stamp Value (1st, 2nd etc)

[shysheep]

Are there any rules I should stick to for making up postage on packets? I have just used 2 x 1st class stamps plus 20p to send something 2nd class (i.e. £1.40 LL rate). Do I need to write "2nd class" on it, or should I avoid using 1st class stamps on a 2nd class item? Also, can I use 1st and 2nd class stamps (to make up the correct value) for sending post overseas?

I haven't found the answer to this elsewhere so sorry if I am repeating it! Thanks.

[Patrick Clifton]

Are there any rules I should stick to for making up postage on packets? I have just used 2 x 1st class stamps plus 20p to send something 2nd class (i.e. £1.40 LL rate). Do I need to write "2nd class" on it, or should I avoid using 1st class stamps on a 2nd class item? Also, can I use 1st and 2nd class stamps (to make up the correct value) for sending post overseas?

I haven't found the answer to this elsewhere so sorry if I am repeating it! Thanks.

It often happens nowadays. Would be helpful if you wrote on 1st/2nd class.

[FairyFoot]

I send a lot of post to overseas (mainly postcards and letters, but occasionally a packet) and do use 1st class stamps plus (OK, there isn't that much room on a postcard often for the nice 1st, plus 20 plus 5 plus 2) - the stamps do cheer the recipient up. I have received comments from one sub-postmaster that I shouldn't do this as the foreign post companies won't know the value of postage - I thought as long as RM are happy with the value of stamps put on to hand off to wherever airmail mail goes.... If insufficient postage for airmail was applied, then RM could send it on via a slower route - one such case came to light on Postcrossing in a thread at http://forum.postcrossing.com/viewthrea ... 406&page=3" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; with a message about the postcard below which was sent to Germany with only a 1st class stamp as postage

[Patrick Clifton]

I send a lot of post to overseas (mainly postcards and letters, but occasionally a packet) and do use 1st class stamps plus (OK, there isn't that much room on a postcard often for the nice 1st, plus 20 plus 5 plus 2) - the stamps do cheer the recipient up. I have received comments from one sub-postmaster that I shouldn't do this as the foreign post companies won't know the value of postage - I thought as long as RM are happy with the value of stamps put on to hand off to wherever airmail mail goes.... If insufficient postage for airmail was applied, then RM could send it on via a slower route - one such case came to light on Postcrossing in a thread at http://forum.postcrossing.com/viewthrea ... 406&page=3" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; with a message about the postcard below which was sent to Germany with only a 1st class stamp as postage

Or it will be sent back to sender if there is a return address present, asking for the correct postage

[FairyFoot]

Are those labels applied by hand?! There were a few comments about the positioning of the label! That postcard took 19 days to reach the recipient in Germany.

[PhilthyPhil]

Yes they would be applied by hand although I doubt the person applying paid any attention to where they were sticking it. 19 days is about right for surface mail to Europe, which is the only 'alternative service' they could have used, even though there are not normally any surface mail letters to Europe.