Effective July 1, 2009, the postal service is now selling the new Nairobi IRC. The new coupon is expected to be valid until 31 December 2013.
The new issue, replaces the former Beijing model No. 2, with the Michalangelo two fingers about to touch, framed in a postage stamp.
International Reply Coupons, commonly known as an IRC, are used by radio hobbyist, as an international system of postage. IRC's are enclosed within the reception report to shortwave broadcasters, or amateur radio operators, as a means of providing return postage back to the sender.
The receiving station or amateur radio operator, in turn exchanges the IRC at their post office in exchange for postage. In most countries, IRC's are sufficient for the minimum size envelope back to the sender.
If the addressee is within the same country, there is no need for an IRC because a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE) will suffice; but if the addressee is in another country an IRC removes the necessity of acquiring foreign postage or sending appropriate currency.
GVH