When was the International Reply Coupon (IRC) discontinued?

The International Reply Coupon (IRC) was officially discontinued in 2013 due to a decline in use. IRCs were originally introduced to facilitate easier communication across international borders by allowing individuals to send postage for a reply to a letter sent from a different country. However, with the rise of digital communication methods and email, fewer people relied on traditional mail services for correspondence. The discontinuation reflects a shift in consumer behavior, making it cumbersome for postal services to maintain the program when demand had dwindled. As a result, 2013 marks the significant point at which IRCs were phased out, aligning with the trends in global communication and postal service evolution.