General Forum

I mean cards are cardboard and cardboard boxes have tracking so....

But it makes sense to me because there has been a lot more claims about missing or non-delivered cards recently. So USPS are probably trying to cover their butts about it.

Of course they're in CYA mode especially in light of the "worker" that stole thousands of $$$ worth of "cards" 

Small amounts of cards can also be called "Photographs/documents" 

Photo on the front, documentation of statistics on the back. Although I certainly don't recommend it, I have done it in the past, especially with the boom in the card market, and a couple recent articles of card-related mail going "missing", I try not to draw more attention to my shippments than needed.

all three were drugstore / post office stores

Almost all postal clerks I have dealt with are OK with cards being "documents."

This is very bizarre. Definitely do not have that problem mailing from Canada. Like others I weigh, stamp and mail all my PWEs from home. For larger trades I use bubble mailers but no tracking is required and it usually costs me about $5 CAD.

I just mailed a PWE to The Netherlands containing a few cards in a 3-pocket sleeve sandwiched between thin cardboard. The postal clerk weighed the envelope and then placed a standard international stamp on it, and that was that. Didn't try to bend the envelope, ask me what it contained, or anything. I guess it really does depend on the clerks at your local post office.

The tip that others have added to this thread about buying an inexpensive scale and some international stamps so you can take care of the entire process from home is a good one.