Dear photographers,
short version: After the discussion in a separate thread, we switch to a three-month-cycle!
Long (as always):
This is the announcement for the next round of blind print exchange (BPX). We have the 42th round now.
If you are new to BPX: Please read the sticky FAQ before you subscribe. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to mail(PM) me.
Signing up: PM me your full real name and your complete mailing address, including the country. Please use the subject: BPX42 signup. I still have the addresses of BPX41: If you gave an address last round, you may subscribe simply by answering here.
We're on a three-month cycle. That means:
Signup: June 2023
Print and Send: July and August 2023
(no Rest and Relaxation any more
)
If you run late, we don't care, no need for apologies. Just let me know.
Please remember, if you have not fulfilled your obligations for one of the previous BPX exchanges, try to do so before signing up.
~
Starting in 2021 we had problems with small parcels to destinations outside US. It may be that import duty/tax is added on gifts. So I recommend sending only letters or Large Envelopes (Flats) to destinations outside US.
I tried to understand what USPS bills. It seems that the maximum for a normal letter, 11-1/2 inches x 6-1/8 inches x 1/4 inch thick. In "continental" measures: 29 cm x 15.5 cm x 0.6 cm. You may send a decent photograph with that.
Besides this, there are Large Envelopes (Flats), which may have 15 inches x 12 inches x 3/4 of an inch. That means 38 cm x 30 cm x 1.9 cm. Quite large.
USPS says: Pieces that are rigid, nonrectangular, or not uniformly thick pay package prices. That means you must not use heavy cardboard for protecting the prints, and the prints must not be mounted. I recommend using the thin cardboard from ordinary folders (loose leave binders). They are flexible as USPS requires for letters.
For short: I recommend sending letter and use a print size what fits.
I found my information mostly here: https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/Notice123.htm#_c341 .
How to avoid taxes / VAT:
If a sending goes outside U.S. (or more correct: outside your country) it should be a letter, as said before. And not a parcel or similar.
Everything you simply put in the letterbox should be a letter. Anything you give at the office may induce taxes. Everything with a custom declaration will induce taxes.
Please keep in mind what "counts" as a letter in your country. In the U.S. it needs to be flexible. In Germany, it may be stiff.
---
Uwe Pilz
short version: After the discussion in a separate thread, we switch to a three-month-cycle!
Long (as always):
This is the announcement for the next round of blind print exchange (BPX). We have the 42th round now.
If you are new to BPX: Please read the sticky FAQ before you subscribe. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to mail(PM) me.
Signing up: PM me your full real name and your complete mailing address, including the country. Please use the subject: BPX42 signup. I still have the addresses of BPX41: If you gave an address last round, you may subscribe simply by answering here.
We're on a three-month cycle. That means:
Signup: June 2023
Print and Send: July and August 2023
(no Rest and Relaxation any more
)If you run late, we don't care, no need for apologies. Just let me know.
Please remember, if you have not fulfilled your obligations for one of the previous BPX exchanges, try to do so before signing up.
~
Starting in 2021 we had problems with small parcels to destinations outside US. It may be that import duty/tax is added on gifts. So I recommend sending only letters or Large Envelopes (Flats) to destinations outside US.
I tried to understand what USPS bills. It seems that the maximum for a normal letter, 11-1/2 inches x 6-1/8 inches x 1/4 inch thick. In "continental" measures: 29 cm x 15.5 cm x 0.6 cm. You may send a decent photograph with that.
Besides this, there are Large Envelopes (Flats), which may have 15 inches x 12 inches x 3/4 of an inch. That means 38 cm x 30 cm x 1.9 cm. Quite large.
USPS says: Pieces that are rigid, nonrectangular, or not uniformly thick pay package prices. That means you must not use heavy cardboard for protecting the prints, and the prints must not be mounted. I recommend using the thin cardboard from ordinary folders (loose leave binders). They are flexible as USPS requires for letters.
For short: I recommend sending letter and use a print size what fits.
I found my information mostly here: https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/Notice123.htm#_c341 .
How to avoid taxes / VAT:
If a sending goes outside U.S. (or more correct: outside your country) it should be a letter, as said before. And not a parcel or similar.
Everything you simply put in the letterbox should be a letter. Anything you give at the office may induce taxes. Everything with a custom declaration will induce taxes.
Please keep in mind what "counts" as a letter in your country. In the U.S. it needs to be flexible. In Germany, it may be stiff.
---
Uwe Pilz
