The skyline of New York City with the Brooklyn Bridge at sunset

Sending a Postcard from the USA: Postage, Stamps & Delivery Times

From the Big Apple in New York to the Grand Canyon and California – everything you need to know about USPS, stamps, blue collection boxes, and delivery times.

Photo by Partha Narasimhan on Unsplash

Road trip on Route 66, marveling at the edge of the Grand Canyon, or taking in the lights of Times Square in New York – a trip to the USA is packed with unforgettable moments. To share your adventures with friends and family back home, sending a classic postcard is a must.

However, mailing a postcard from the US has its quirks. Between the blue USPS collection boxes, the different stamp types, and typical holiday delivery times, many travelers trip over minor details. How much is international postage to Europe or the UK? Where can you buy the right stamps? And how do you prevent your card from being discarded due to insufficient postage? We break down the key facts for a stress-free postcard experience.

Last updated: June 2026

The Journey of a Postcard in the USA

If you use the official USPS postal system and choose the blue collection boxes, your mail is in safe hands.

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USPS Post Office

The most reliable place to buy postage stamps is an official branch of the United States Postal Service (USPS). However, many supermarkets (like Walmart or Kroger) and drugstores (like CVS and Walgreens) also sell stamps, often in handy booklets of 10 or 20 stamps (Book of Stamps).

A blue USPS mailbox on the side of a road

Photo by Stephen Harlan on Unsplash

The Blue Collection Box

USPS mailboxes are dark blue and feature the eagle logo. You can find them on street corners, outside shopping centers, and right in front of post offices. Check the collection times on the box. Tip: If you are staying in a residential area, you can place outgoing mail in your accommodation's private mailbox and raise the red flag – the mail carrier will pick it up.

A Route 66 sign in front of a gas station

Photo by Mick Haupt on Unsplash

The Stamp Trap: Global Forever Stamp

For international postcards to Europe, you need a round Global Forever Stamp (currently $1.70, rising to $1.75 on July 12, 2026). Avoid buying standard domestic stamps (Forever Stamps, currently $0.78), unless you combine several of them to match the international rate. Souvenir shops often do not sell international stamps, so make sure to ask specifically for "International Stamps".

How much does postage from the USA cost?

Official rates of the USPS for standard postcards to Europe and worldwide (as of: June 2026).
Note: A price adjustment has been announced for July 12, 2026, when the Global Forever Stamp price will rise from $1.70 to $1.75.

USPS (Official Mail)

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Postcard (Souvenir Shop)approx. $1.00 - $2.50

Stamp (Global Forever)$1.70 (from July 12, 2026: $1.75)

Real total cost per cardapprox. $2.70 - $4.25

Effort during vacationFind a post office or supermarket, buy stamps, find blue collection box

Delivery time (estimate)7-14 business days (longer during holidays)

Tired of stamp hunting?

Photo by Tim HartPhoto by Luca Bravo

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Frequently Asked Questions about Postcards from the USA

How much is postage for a postcard from the USA to Europe?

To send a postcard internationally, you need a Global Forever Stamp, which currently costs $1.70. (A price increase to $1.75 is scheduled for July 12, 2026).

Can I use domestic Forever Stamps for international mail?

Yes, you can. You can combine multiple domestic Forever Stamps (currently valued at $0.78 each, rising to $0.82 on July 12, 2026) to reach the required international postage of $1.70 (or $1.75). For example, three domestic stamps cover the postage (3 x $0.78 = $2.34), though it is more expensive than using a single Global Forever Stamp.

Where can I buy stamps in the USA?

Official stamps are best purchased at any USPS Post Office. They are also available at checkout registers in major supermarkets (like Walmart or Safeway) and drugstores (like Walgreens or CVS), usually sold in booklets of 10 or 20.

How long does a postcard from the USA to Europe take?

A postcard from the US to Germany or Europe typically takes between 7 and 14 business days. In remote areas or during holiday seasons (like Thanksgiving and Christmas), it can take up to three weeks.

What does the red flag on the mailbox mean?

The red flag on residential mailboxes in the US is a signal for the mail carrier. If you put a stamped postcard inside and raise the flag, it tells the mail carrier that there is outgoing mail to be picked up. This saves you a trip to a public blue collection box.