Buying Postage Stamps Online: Philatelic Bureaux And Postal Administrations
Postal Administrations Of The World / Buying Postage Stamps New Issues Online
Buying postage stamps online is easy. Most postal administrations and philatelic bureaux have online stores. If you are a stamp collector, one of the best ways to buy the newly-issued postage stamps at face value is to do business directly with the country's postal administration. Many of them have online philatelic bureaux where you can either register for a standing order or buy postage stamps online. I am offering you a list of the world's postal administrations with links to their online shop. This should be useful if you are looking to buy postage stamps online. If you have any questions, you can ask in the guestbook at the bottom of this page.
Photo: DZM / iStockphoto.com
About This Postal Authorities Of The World Page
I have take time to read and gather all the information you need on each and every philatelic bureau, so you don't need to waste time trying to figure out if these site have or not a shopping cart with credit card checkout! All links goes directly to the philatelic service page of these postal administration. No need to blindly click around to try finding the correct page!
Some offer an English version of their original site making it easier to order, some don't. When available I am linking to the English version. For the other pages in foreign language you do like I do to place orders: use Google Chrome browser with built-in translator!.
The stamps featured on this page are either from my own collection or some of them may be available in my store
How To Search This Page For A Philatelic Bureau:
Ctrl F will bring your browser search box so you can type in the country name (in English) you are looking for. Or just browse this page.
Post Office History, Books And Toys
Important Tip When Buying Postage Stamps Online
Most orders from the postal administrations will come with custom declaration so depending on your country's law you may be subject to taxes.
Aland post
Aaland Posten
Stamps, coins and collectibles. Including Christmas seals and Christmas decorations. No minimum order, but expect a 2.00 euros handling fee for order smaller than 20 euros. Site in English works well.
SHIP WORLDWIDE: Yes
SHIPPING COST: 1 euro (2 euros extra on order below 20 euros).
Albania
Posta Shqiptare
The Albanian postal service website has been down for quite some time now. I will update whenever it is back online..if ever.
Algeria postal administration
Site in French only. No online store, but you can see the latest Algeria stamps. No way to register for standing order either.
Argentina philatelic bureau
No online store, but you can see the latest stamp issue. There is a contact form you can use and ask about buying Argentina stamps. Website in Spanish.
Australia
Australia Post
Stamps, coins and collectibles. Including Christmas Islands and AAT (Australian Antartic Territories). Minimum order is 10$AU
SHIP WORLDWIDE: Yes
SHIPPING COST: 9$AU outside Australia
Austria philatelic bureau
Easy to use site.
SHIP WORLDWIDE: Yes
SHIPPING COST: 1.45 euros (an extra 2.10 euros if you want registration mail)
Bahamas Philatelic Bureau
Currently absolutely no online philatelic bureau or postal administration for Bahamas
Barbados post
Barbados online philatelic bureau
Website in English. They no longer have an online store, so you need to register a standing order. You can view the new issues online.
Bahrain post
You can register to receive the new stamp issues of Barhain with the link below. You have to send your credit card info and deposit a minimum of 25$ to start receiving mint or CTO stamps, souvenir sheets, FDC, year pack or booklets.
SHIP WORLDWIDE: Yes
SHIPPING COST: not specified
Bangladesh Post
Shopping cart does not work since at least 3 years. But you can see all the latest issue in their philatelic bureau. How to order with a broken shopping cart remains a mystery!
Belarus postal administration
Belpochta
Site available in English. No shopping cart, but you can order the latest issue by mail (email and fax also) and pay with credit cards. Or register for a standing order.
Belgium Post
bpost
Unfortunately, the Belgian Post does not deliver outside Belgium at the moment. Site in French and Dutch.
Bhutan post
You need to contact them trough email. Their online shop has no shopping cart, but you can view the stamps and price. You can try contacting them.
Bolivia postal administration
You can see the latest stamp issues. No online order. But apparently you can email them your order and they will get back to you.
gcomercial.cen@correosbolivia.com
filateliacen@correosbolivia.com
Bosnia And Herzegovina philatelic service
In English. You can order postal stamps by sending your order by email, fax or by mail.
stamps@post.ye or
stamps@y.net.ye
Botswana postal administration
Not much information on how to order Botswana new stamp issues. You will need to contact them:
enquiries@botspost.co.bw
Brazil
Correios
I never managed to register there, they keep asking for a valid phone number (apparently it is set to accept only brazilian phone numbers). But they do ship worlwide. It's just not working at the time. Site in Portuguese only.
SHIP WORLDWIDE: Yes
SHIPPING COST: R$ 12,00
British Antarctic Territory
To order BAT stamps see:
British Indian Ocean Territory.
They ship worldwide, payment via paypal only (you can use your credit card on paypal). Easy to shop with them!
Note that shipping is 5£ so on small order it may not worth it.
SHIP WORLDWIDE: Yes
SHIPPING COST: £5
Bulgaria Post
Apparently the site is still under construction (at least the English version). There is no shopping cart, only the postal address or email to send your inquiries!
bfn@bgpost.bg
Burkina Faso postal administration
Site in French only. Online store does not work, but you can see all newly issued stamps. There is a contact form.
Canada philatelic bureau
Canada Post
Everything from the latest 2010 Vancouver Olympic stamps to coins and accessories. In French and English. No minimum order.
SHIP WORLDWIDE: Yes
SHIPPING COST: Apparently if you live outside Canada, they require you to pay for express post (so for me, to Europe it's 34$ Canadian!!!). Anyone can confirm this? I see no other options, so to an international buyer it's certainly not worth it.
Canada Post: Mystery eBay box video
Chile Post
Online shop but no credit card checkout. But you can prepare your order online and make a bank transfer to their USA bank account. Information is given at checkout.
Costa Rica postal administration
You can register for a standing order. Deposit is 50$ by bank transfer. You need to fill the online form (the button called "Average bill form"). If you need more info, you can also email them:
filatelica@correos.go.cr
Croatia Postal administration
Hrvatska posta
Site in English. You can order via email with credit card.
Ship worldwide: yes
Shipping charge: Fixed postage fee: 4,00 EUR for European countries and 7,00 US$ for non-European countries
filatelija@posta.hr
Cyprus Post
No online shop, but you can use the order form. And check their online catalogue to see the stamps.
You can pay with:
-credit cards (VISA, MASTERCARD, AMERICAN EXPRESS, DINERS CLUB) -The details of your credit card must be sent separately to e-mail : philatelic@dps.mcw.gov.cy or to Fax:+ 35722304154
-bank draft
-international money orders and postal orders
Czech Republic
You need to register to the site to access the online shop. The registration box is in Czech only. Here's what you need: Code (from the grey box you see on the page), Name, Surename, email, username (Prihlasovacàjméno). Then check your email box. The message is in Czech but you just need the "Heslo" (password).
Then you can login...or not. I tried many time and never manage to login. So I couldn't test nor order.
SHIP WORLDWIDE: Yes
SHIPPING COST: ?
Denmark
Along with the Danish new issues you can order various collectables such as cards and books.
You need to register before ordering.
SHIP WORLDWIDE: Yes
SHIPPING COST: Free
Dominican Republic
Instituto postal Dominicano
The view the newest issue you need to check their blog, not their website. As for ordering, I see no indication they are selling anything online or by standing order. You can try to email them:
filatelia@inposdom.gob.do
filateliadominicana@gmail.com
Estonia philatelic bureau
Site in English. No online shop. You can receive the new issues via suscribtion. Payment by credit card.
Falkland Islands BAT and South Georgia philatelic bureau
Falkland Islands, BAT and South Georgia philatelic bureau. No online form, but user friendly order form and you can pay with your credit card.
SHIP WORLDWIDE: Yes
SHIPPING COST: 2 pounds, extra 3.50 pounds for registered mail
Faroe
Postverk Føroya
Easy to use site, translated in English. No minimum order as far as I understand.
SHIP WORLWIDE:Yes
SHIPPING COST: 2.00 euros (on order over 135 euros, registration mail is mandatory)
Finland
Posti Verkkokauppa
No minimum order but if you order less than 20 euros there is a 3 euros surcharge!
SHIP WORLDWIDE: Yes
SHIPPING COST: 1.00 euros (unless your order is less than 20 euros, in that case you have a 3 euros surcharge)
France
La Poste
La Poste has an online store offering all the new issues, as well as those from French Andorra and the DOM and TAAF territories. The english version works well, but note that the stamps descriptions have not been translated (you don't really need that to shop with ease).
SHIP WORLWIDE:Yes
SHIPPING COST: 2.90 euros, free over 25 euros, free registration over 100 euros ( otherwise it's an exta 2.50 euros).
French Antartic Territories (Terres Australes et Antartiques Francaises)
Site in French only. Has a shopping cart with paypal checkout. Shipping and Handling are rather expensive. Will be a better idea to order these trough France La Poste (unless the item you need is unavailable trough La Poste)
SHIP WORLWIDE:Yes
SHIPPING COST: 9.40 euros
French Polynesia
Site in English works well. Minimum order for credit card payment is 2000XFP. Free worldwide shipping. Credit Card accepted.
SHIP WORLWIDE:Yes
SHIPPING COST:Free
Germany
Deutsche post
German language only. They ship worldwide but I didn't do enough search to see how much they charge to ship an order outside Germany.
Gibraltar
Gibraltar stamps, banknotes and coins
SHIP WORLWIDE:Yes
SHIPPING COST: £1.50 (£3.00 if you wish to have registrated mail)
Great Britain
The Royal Mail
Everything from prestige booklets to Machin definitives and personalized stamps.
SHIP WORLWIDE: Yes
SHIPPING COST:
UK £1.45
Europe £1.55
ROW £2.15
Bulky items:
Within the UK: £2.95
Outside the UK, within Europe: £5.00
Outside the UK and Europe: £14.00
Royal Mail: dancing cat TV ad
Greenland
Post Greenland
Free shipping and I remember the few times I did order from them, they used real stamps on the package (that was about 2 years ago, so this may have change). Greenland use the Danish Crown for currency. No minimum order.
SHIP WORLWIDE:Yes
SHIPPING COST: Free
Guernsey and Alderney
Straightforward and easy to use site. Minimum order is £5.00. Latest Guernsey and Alderney stamps as well as albums and binders.
SHIP WORLWIDE:Yes
SHIPPING COST: £1.40 for stamps anywhere in the world. More expensive for bulky items such as albums.
Hong Kong
HongKong Post
The English version of the site works well. You can order all the New stamps from Hong Kong as well as some Macau and Singapore, USA, Canada, NZ, Australia and a few more.
SHIP WORLWIDE:Yes
SHIPPING COST: 13HK$ handling per order + the cost of shipping (for stamps it will be about 2.50 HK$ extra. More for Bulk items)
Hungary stamp new issues
Magyar Posta
The Hungarian post has an online store. You need to register before ordering. They will take credit cards.
SHIP WORLWIDE: Yes
SHIPPING COST: HUF 2200 for priority (I suppose it's the airmail service) or HUF 1350 for slower delivery
Iceland
Postphil
No minimum order. All the new issues along with coins, Christmas seals, various collectibles and books.
SHIP WORLWIDE:Yes
SHIPPING COST: 300 ISK per order (unless you buy albums. That would be more expensive).
India Post
You can see all new and many previous issues of Indian stamps. There is no online shop, you need to set up a standing order with them.
SHIP WORLDWIDE: Yes
SHIPPING COST: unknown
Ireland
AN Post
Stamps, coins, postcards, catalogs. Minimum order is 8 euros (maximum is 500 euros).
SHIP WORLWIDE:Yes
SHIPPING COST: 0.82 euros
Isle Of Man
Easy straightforward site. Free shipping on order over £7.50. Buy your latest IOM stamps new issues as well as Treasury coins.
SHIP WORLWIDE:Yes
SHIPPING COST: Free (minimum order £7.50
Italy
Poste Italiane
Currently, their system no longer work (as of February 2012). You are suppose to receive a confirmation code via your cell phone but on my last 2 tries with 2 different phone numbers I have not managed to get the code. So, if like me you have an account with them already well... DON'T loose your login information otherwise you won't be able to register a new account.
Japan philatelic bureau
Website in Japanese only (the little English icon is only a placebo). As far as I can tell (thanks to Chrome build in translator) they only ship to Japan. Still you can browse alll the new issue stamps.
Jordan Post
In English. You can see the stamps and register to order (use the link called subscription). You have to remit payment via money order.
Kyrgyzstan postal administration
No online shop but you can browse Kyrgyzstan stamps . You can download the pricelist and order by post. Bank transfer only, no credit card.
Latvia Postal Administration
In English. There is an online shop but seems to work only for customers with a Latvian address. If you live elsewhere, you can use their stocksheet and order stamps via email or post to. They take credit cards.
Liechtenstein
Philatelie Liechtenstein
Minimum order is CH15.00
SHIP WORLWIDE:Yes
SHIPPING COST: Free
Lithuania
Lietuvos Pastas
Online store, credit card payment. Free shipping as far as I can see. English version of the site works well.
SHIP WORLWIDE:Yes
SHIPPING COST: 4 LTL per order
Luxembourg Post
P&T Luxembourg
In English, you can see all the latest issue. Mail order only. You will find the address and phone to contact them.
Morocco
Even if they have an English version on the registration page, you need to use the French page because the English one won't work (page just refresh when you confirm registration). the French registration page works well.
SHIP WORLWIDE:Yes
SHIPPING COST:30 DH (Dinars)
Maldive posts
Outdated website, no 2011 issues has been added. The web shop is down since a long time. They have an email you can try for more information:
philately@maldivespost.com
Monaco
Online store available in English, credit card payment. No minimum order.
SHIP WORLWIDE:Yes
SHIPPING COST: 5 Euros per order for stamps (might be more for albums and bulky items)
Namibia
One of the rare African country philatelic bureau to offer a shopping cart. Credit card payment accepted.
SHIP WORLWIDE:Yes
SHIPPING COST: 10% of your order total
Netherlands
Site in Dutch language. There is an online shop but only for Dutch customers. They deliver worldwide if you contact them at collectclub@tntpost.nl
Shipping and handling charges are excessive: 7.50 euros to Europe and 15.00 euros worldwide.
SHIP WORLWIDE:Yes
SHIPPING COST:7.50 to 15.00 euros
New Caledonia
Online store with shopping cart. Credit Card payment. In French only. To register click on "Ouvrir un compte philatélique" located on the right side of the page. Price in XPF (Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs).
SHIP WORLWIDE:Yes
SHIPPING COST:330 XPF, maybe more for bulky items
New Zealand
NZ POST
Find all the new stamps from New Zealand as well as Fiji, Vanuatu, Ross Dependency, Samoa, Pitcairn, Niue and Tonga. They sell some United Nations and Hong Kong new issues as well. You'll find also coins and proofs.
SHIP WORLWIDE:Yes
SHIPPING COST: 2.30 NZ$
Nice and moving TV ad for NZ Post
Norway
Posten
Another well done English translation, easy to use. Buy Norway stamps as well as collector's items.
SHIP WORLWIDE:Yes
SHIPPING COST: -Norwegian stamp products: NOK 25,00
-Collector's items and gifts: NOK 50,00
Norwegian MVA (25%) will be deducted from the price for customers abroad.
Papua New Guinea philatelic service
Post PNG Ltd
Site is in English. No shopping cart but you can see all the latest issues (as well as older stamps). You can order with credit card any listed available stamps. To order you can email them or register for a standing order.
philatelic@postpng.com.pg
Portugal
CTT
Site might be a little slow, and you may need to do some refresh if you end up on blank pages. But I manage to order there a couple of times. They deliver usually pretty fast.
SHIP WORLWIDE:Yes
SHIPPING COST: Free by regular mail.
San Marino
San Marino stamps, coins, telephone cards. The site is not 100% in English, but easy enough to shop.
SHIP WORLDWIDE: Yes
SHIPPING COST: 4.50 euros
St Helena (Tristan Da Cunha and Ascension Island)
St.Helena Post Office & Philatelic Bureau
No minimum order. Surcharge on credit card payment. Buy the latest issues from St Helena, Tristan Da Cunha and Ascension Island.
SHIP WORLDWIDE: Yes
SHIPPING COST: £1.20 (plus 6% surcharge on credit card payment)
Serbia Post
In English, you can see the latest stamp issues. No online order, no standing order. The only way is to visit them.
South Africa philatelic service
Not the most user friendly site....but have shopping cart and take credit cards.
Click on the stamp icon (bottom right of the screen). To register you need to give your passport number. The phone number is tricky, in the first field just add your country code with "0" before (if your country code has 2 numbers, just add 5 "0" before to make sure all the space is filled). The second field if for your phone number (10 numbers). Once registered you will receive a confirmation email.
If you order, make sure to add the correct postcode on one of the address line because the postcode field only take 4 characters (fill this useless field with zeros)....
SHIP WORLWIDE:Yes
SHIPPING COST: Varies according to your order.
South Georgia
To order South Georgia stamps see:
South Korea postal service
Site is in English. With shopping cart. There is no minimum order from what I have seen. Site a bit buggy at time (if you get some pop ups just click the cancel option).
SHIP WORLDWIDE: Yes
SHIPPING COST: 5,760 won for registered mail or 21,700 won for EMS:4~5 day
Spain philatelic bureau
Confusing website. It says 100% online but there is no way to buy directly online. To buy the new issues you need to register and then make a standing order for future stamp issues.
Filatelia@correo.com.uy
Sri Lanka Philatelic Bureau
Site in English, no shopping cart. You can open a Standing order Deposit Account by filling and sending their subscription form. Minimum 50$ deposit via money order.
Sweden
Posten Sverige
No minimum order. Easy to navigate site, the English version is complete.
SHIP WORLDWIDE: Yes
SHIPPING COST: SEK 40, free on all order over SEK 150
Swedish Post TV ad
Switzerland
Swiss Post Philashop
Minimum order is CHF 15.00. Their English version of the site works well.
SHIP WORLWIDE:Yes
SHIPPING COST: Free
Syria philatelic bureau
No online store, the pphilately section has not been updated since 2006. Unfortunately, no way to order Syrian stamps. Site in Arab language.
Taiwan
Site full of bug, I never managed to complete check out.
They do sell worldwide...if you manage to checkout or register.
SHIP WORLWIDE:Yes
SHIPPING COST: ?
Tanzania philatelic bureau
No online store. No credit card. You can download, fill and send via snail mail one of the following form: Request to Open deposit Account (minimum 50$ by International Money Order, or Bank Draft or by Money gram), Standing order Form or Mail Order Form.
Trinidad and Tobago
TTPOST
There is a shopping cart, they ship worldwide....unfortunately I keep getting error message when completing checkout.
SHIP WORLWIDE:Yes
SHIPPING COST: ?
Tunisia philatelic bureau
Poste Tunisienne
Site is in English. Unfortunately you can only order the stamps in sheet (depending on the issues it will be sheets of 10 stamps and more). You have also the possibility of ordering a set of FDC + block of 4 stamps. Year books and annual collections, even if they are advertise, are not available. The subscription form is available only in French.
SHIP WORLDWIDE: Yes
SHIPPING COST: 10$US per order
Turkey postal service
Another philatelic service that does not work. This link will take you to the new issue stamps of Turkey but alll the links about how to order them leads to dead pages.
United States
USPS
Well you'd think that USPS, one of the biggest postal administration in the world would be ahead of its time? Nope! They don't ship outside the USA! So unless you have some friends there and can provide an US shipping address, don't bother.
Uruguay Post philatelic service
You can see the latest stamp issues. No online order. Spanish site only. Email to contact the philately service:
Filatelia@correo.com.uy
Vanuatu
Vanuatu Post
Shopping cart, credit card checkout. Price in US$. Easy to use site, very nice stamps.
SHIP WORLWIDE:Yes
SHIPPING COST: 4$ for stamps (might be more for bigger items)
Yemen Postal administration
In Arabic language only. You can either order the stamps you want or register a standing order. In anyway you need to email them:
stamps@post.ye or
stamps@y.net.ye
Do you buy postage stamps online? - Polls on postal administrations
Do you have standing orders with one or many Postal Administrations?
What is your experience buying new postage stamp issues online
If you had good (or bad) experiences buying postage stamps from online postal administration store, you can share here. I'd be happy to hear. So far mine have all been good. I won't approve message with bad and rude language, so if you are unable to write in a civilized manner, you won't be seen by anyone.
Tell us about some of your experience
