With Global Forever Stamps, letters can be sent from the USA to Antarctica at a cost of $1.20 each. The regular, domestic forever stamp can also be used as long as it adds up to $1.20. For items weighing more than one ounce, extra postage is required. Postage rates for letters to Antarctica, which is part of “group 6” in the United States Postal Service price list, are shown below.
Table of Contents
How many stamps do I need for a letter to Antarctica?
Depending on the weight, you will need a number of stamps. To calculate the number of stamps you will need, weigh your envelope and round up to the nearest ounce.
| Weight | Postage Required | Stamps Required |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0 ounce | $2.40 | 2 Global Forever Stamps ($2.40) or 5 First Class Forever Stamps ($2.75) |
| 2.0 ounces | $3.39 | 3 Global Forever Stamp ($3.60) or 7 First Class Forever Stamps ($3.85) |
| 3.0 ounces | $4.37 | 4 Global Forever Stamp ($4.80) or 8 First Class Forever Stamps ($4.40) |
| 4.0 ounces | $5.36 | 5 Global Forever Stamp ($6.00) or 10 First Class Forever Stamps ($5.50) |
| 5.0 ounces | $6.34 | 6 Global Forever Stamp ($7.20) or 12 First Class Forever Stamps ($6.60) |
| 6.0 ounces | $7.32 | 7 Global Forever Stamp ($8.40) or 14 First Class Forever Stamps ($7.70) |
| 7.0 ounces | $8.31 | 7 Global Forever Stamp ($8.40) or 16 First Class Forever Stamps ($8.80) |
| 8.0 ounces | $9.29 | 8 Global Forever Stamp ($9.60) or 17 First Class Forever Stamps ($9.35) |
| 9.0 ounces | $11.26 | 10 Global Forever Stamp ($12.00) or 20 First Class Forever Stamps ($11.55) |
| 10.0 ounces | $11.26 | 10 Global Forever Stamp ($12.00) or 20 First Class Forever Stamps ($11.55) |
STATUS OF COVID-19 / CORONAVIRUS: DELIVERING NORMALLY
We are monitoring for updates daily and will update this page accordingly. Mail to Germany is currently operating normally. Updates can be tracked on the USPS website.
How Many Stamps For A Postcard?
You will have to purchase a Global Forever Stamp for $1.20 if you’d like to send a postcard to Antarctica.
- It must be rectangular and not square or round.
- At least 3-1/2″ high, 5″ long, and 0.007″ thick
- The item must not exceed 4-1/4 inches in height, 6 inches in length, and 0.016 inches thick.
Envelope Requirements for Antarctica
Your envelope must be a minimum 5” x 3.5”, maximum 11.5” x 6+⅛”, and no thicker than 1/4″.
If your envelope is rectangular, not curved, and not uniform in thickness, it’s not “machinable” and you’ll have to pay $0.15 more for postage. See the full list.
The minimum size for square envelopes is 5″. Square envelopes are non-machinable, so add $0.21 to your order.
How To Weigh Your Envelope
Your envelope’s weight should be measured on a kitchen scale. It’s easy to purchase an entry-level scale from Amazon for $10.99. There’s also a higher end scale from My Weigh on Amazon Prime for $38. A Milleroo scale costs $8.25 at Walmart, among other cheap kitchen scales.
You can find out the number of stamps you need for 4×6 photos in our guide – no scale needed!
Where To Buy Stamps for Antarctica
Online at USPS.com you can purchase stamps for just about $1 – shipping is less than $1 for stamp sheets. Many local banks, as well as Walmart and Amazon, carry stamps. At $16.18 for 20 stamps, Amazon is not a great deal, since you can get them for $5.18 less at the USPS.
Accuracy Notes
Postage rates are reviewed weekly.
The latest increase was announced in October 2020, and it came into effect on January 24, 2021. In addition, the price for an additional ounce increased to $0.20. There will be a 1 cent increase for meter mail and postcards. Letters and flats weighing one ounce did not change.
A previous rate change took place in January 2020. Domestic letters under 3.5 ounces are still charged the same rates. All global first-class mail rates went up for flats and international first-class mail. The global forever stamp went up from $1.15 to $1.20. Your old, round global stamps are worth $1.20 now as well. Additionally, flat rates for domestic flats rose by $0.05 per additional ounce as well as changing for international flats. First-class international mail gained an additional ounce with the $1.15 to $1.20 increase in the base rate.
Where To Apply Stamps On A Letter
A letter’s stamps should be positioned to the upper right of the page, ideally, in one row. However, a letter with multiple rows and lines of stamps will still be accepted by the post office.
Delivery Times For Letters To Antarctica
For Antarctica letters, the delivery time ranges from 7-21 days, as compared to domestic letters which are delivered in 1-3 days.
FAQs
How long does it take mail to get to Antarctica?
NSF priorities dictate that science cargo and flat mail take priority over personal packages, both to and from Antarctica. Flat mail delivery generally takes 14 to 21 days, though it can be longer depending on the time of year.
Does Antarctica have stamps?
Despite the fact that there are no towns or cities in this area Down Under, many of the nations that have Antarctic territories have issued postage stamps for their possessions. There do exist, however, stations that have been erected for the scientists who work in Antarctica.
