What happens to an IRC when it is received from another country?

When an International Reply Coupon (IRC) is received from another country, it can be exchanged for a 1-ounce stamp, which allows the recipient to send a reply without needing to pay postage. The primary purpose of an IRC is to facilitate international correspondence by allowing the sender in one country to prepay for a reply from a recipient in another country.

The IRC serves as a prepaid voucher; thus, it is not discarded or returned to the sender since its value lies in its ability to be converted into postage. The exchange for a 1-ounce stamp ensures that the recipient can respond without incurring an additional postage cost, effectively promoting communication across borders. This process provides a practical solution for maintaining correspondence, particularly in international postal services.