Do Postage Stamps Expire? What You Need to Know
If you’ve ever found a forgotten book of stamps in a drawer, you might have wondered: do postage stamps expire? The good news is that in the United States, postage stamps generally don’t have an expiration date. However, there are some important details to understand about how older stamps can be used and when additional postage may be required.
Do Forever Stamps expire?
One of the most common types of stamps today is the Forever Stamp. These stamps were introduced by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) in 2007 as a convenient way to avoid the hassle of constantly buying new denominations when postage rates increase.
You can use them at any time to mail a standard First-Class letter, no matter the current rate. For example, if you bought Forever Stamps when the cost was $0.41 and today’s rate is $0.73, you can still use that old stamp without paying extra.
This makes Forever Stamps not only convenient but also a smart investment for people who want to lock in current postage prices before future increases.
Can you use old stamps?
You can use old stamps, including those that aren’t labeled as “Forever.” USPS stamps do not lose their validity over time. If you have older stamps with a printed value—say $0.29 or $0.50—you can still use them to send mail.
The key is that the total postage on your envelope must match or exceed the current rate. So, if today’s First-Class letter rate is $0.73 and you have a $0.50 stamp, you can simply add a $0.23 stamp (or combination of smaller denominations) to make up the difference.
Many people keep a variety of small-denomination stamps (like 1-cent or 5-cent stamps) on hand to “top up” older stamps when rates rise. This way, no stamp goes to waste—even those purchased decades ago.
Do stamps expire? Common misconceptions
A lot of people wonder if stamps expire, usually assuming that postage works like coupons or gift cards with a set timeframe. But USPS stamps, unlike promotional items, do not have an expiration date.
The confusion often comes from a few situations that seem like stamps have expired:
- Damaged or defaced stamps: If a stamp is torn, heavily marked, or cannot be scanned or identified as genuine, USPS may reject it.
- Invalid postage types: Some stamps, such as bulk rate stamps or business reply mail indicia, have restrictions on how and when they can be used.
- International mail or special services: While the stamps themselves don’t expire, the postage value might not cover new rate changes for services like international shipping. In these cases, additional postage is required.
As long as the stamp is undamaged and the total postage meets current rates, you can use it—whether it’s 5 years or 50 years old.
Tips for using old postage stamps
If you’ve collected older stamps or recently uncovered some hidden in a drawer, here are a few simple tips to make the most of them:
- Check current rates: Make sure the total postage value on your envelope is equal to the current USPS rate for your mail type.
- Mix denominations wisely: Pair older stamps with smaller ones to meet the exact postage amount.
- Use clear placement: Place stamps neatly in the top right corner to avoid issues with postal machines.
- Consider collectors’ value: Some vintage stamps may actually be worth more to collectors than their postage value, so it’s worth checking before you use them.
The bottom line
U.S. postage stamps, including Forever Stamps, never expire. Whether you’re mailing a birthday card or paying bills, you can confidently use stamps you purchased years ago. Just make sure the total value matches the current postage rate, and your mail will be good to go.
If you regularly send mail, buying Forever Stamps in advance can be a smart way to protect yourself against future postage price increases. And if you find older stamps tucked away, don’t toss them—they’re still valid and valuable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Stamps.com
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Learn more about Stamps.comWho uses Stamps.com
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