FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS - MAIL ART MOVEMENT

Recent U.S. Tax Exemption Changes
You may have heard about changes to the U.S. de minimis tax exemption (previously allowing imports under $800 to enter duty-free). This mainly affects commercial shipments and online purchases. Postcards and letters sent as personal correspondence with no declared value or sales intent are still fine to send to the U.S. as usual. No customs form is needed, and there’s no tax due. Just be sure not to list a value or mark it as a gift, or ditch the envelope and simply mail it as a postcard.

What if I don't get a postcard back?
Read this page.

Should I use an envelope?
It’s best not to. Sending your art as a traditional postcard (stamped and uncovered) helps avoid customs delays and keeps things simple. If you do use an envelope, it’s at your own risk and expense, and may require a customs form depending on your country’s rules.

What kind of art should I make?
Anything handmade! It could be painting, drawing, collage, gel printing, linocuts, mixed media, as long as it’s original and made with intention. (No mass-printed cards, please.)

Can I send a photography postcard?
Absolutely, as long as it's your original photograph and created with intention. Think of it like any other piece of art: it should feel personal and thoughtfully made, not just a random snapshot. Printed on sturdy cardstock and sized like a postcard, photography can make a beautiful piece of mail art!

How big should my postcard be?
Standard postcard size is best (around 4"x6" for US artists). Just be sure it’s sturdy enough to go through the mail without an envelope. Sharlene used blank watercolor postcards in her video.

Can I mail a 3D or embellished postcard?
There are thickness and weight limitations for postcard shipping. Check your country’s postal website for specific size and weight limits. Ideally, we want these shipped as postcards and with no declared value.

When will I get my address?
You’ll receive an email with your recipient’s name and address on our weekly match day, Wednesdays (I’m in Colorado, USA). Be sure to check your spam folder just in case! You can sign up once every week.

Can I sign up from outside the U.S.?
Yes! Mail Art Movement is open internationally, just remember international postage might cost a little more and take longer.