Support lining up for UPU’s new stamp control system

More than 70 postal administrations have already joined the Universal Postal Union’s new stamp control system that is aimed at combatting unauthorised stamp issues. The initiative has also received support from major international philatelic bodies within the World Association for the Development of Philately (WADP) which operates under the auspices of the UPU. Known as the WADP Numbering System (WNS), it is aimed at strenghtening the position of authenticated postage stamps while at the same time protecting the interests of stamp issuing countries, stamp collectors, philatelists and the stamp trade.

The new numbering system applies to all stamps issued by participating countries on or after 1 January 2002. All new stamps, stamp sets, souvenir sheets and sheetlets submitted to the UPU by these countries since the beginning of 2002, are allocated a unique number to facilitate the creation of a universal stamp inventory. The unique number includes the ISO Alpha 2-letter country code. The scanned stamps, together with a brief description and the WNS numbers, will be made available to all interested parties, including Posts, catalogue producers, the philatelic trade and philatelists.  

The new system will further act as a central register of authentic issues against which stamp issues can be verified. It is, however, not intended to replace stamp numbering systems of stamp catalogues, but rather to complement them by allowing easier recognition of the legitimate issues.

The UPU envisages that more postal administrations will join the numbering system as it develops in the months to come. Stamps without a WNS number could in future be banned from international exhibitions. The International Federation of Philately (FIP) is already considering such measures and other philatelic organizations are expected to follow.

Recent years have seen an increase in postage stamps produced without the knowledge or authorization of legitimate countries, or in the name of territories which do not qualify for the issuing of postage stamps, or which simply do not exist. The sale of unauthorized stamps not only defrauds collectors, but can lead to severe losses in revenue for postal administrations.    

More information about the illegal issues can be obtained directly from the UPU, Mrs. Maria Libera.