Postage Due: What You Need to Know

Postage due is a common issue that can arise when sending mail, and it's essential to understand the process and your rights as a sender.

A postage due notice is typically marked with a red or pink stamp, indicating that the recipient owes postage for the item.

If you receive a postage due notice, you'll need to pay the postage owed to the post office within a certain timeframe, which can vary depending on the country.

In the United States, for example, you have 60 days to pay the postage owed before the item is returned to you.

Postage due stamps exist in large numbers, often unused and of low value, as postal administrations have sold them to collectors.

Some postage due stamps are tied together by a dated cancellation or other postal markings with a postage stamp on cover, making them highly sought after by philatelists.

These philatelists are willing to pay a premium for the rare combination of a postage due stamp and a postage stamp on cover.

To avoid "Postage Due" slips, it's essential to properly weigh your shipments before mailing them. Make sure you use scales on hard, flat surfaces, as carpeting and uneven surfaces can skew the weight.

You can also use USPS Flat Rate boxes and envelopes, which take the scale out of the equation - you pay the same shipping rate regardless of the weight of the contents. If it fits, it ships, as the USPS ads say.

By following these simple steps, you can prevent "Postage Due" occurrences and ensure a smooth shipping experience for your buyers.

In the past, many countries have stopped using postage due stamps altogether. Britain, for example, was one of them, discontinuing their use in 2000 after a 46-year run.

The US was another country that phased out postage due stamps, ending their use in 1986. This was a significant change, but it paved the way for more efficient postage systems.

Some countries still use postage due stamps, but their use is becoming increasingly rare. The fact that Britain and the US have discontinued them suggests a broader trend away from these types of stamps.

In Britain, the same design was used for postage due stamps from 1914 to 1970, a remarkable consistency that highlights the importance of these stamps in the past.

Avoiding Postage Due is a must for eBay and Bricklink buyers who don't want to get stuck with the dreaded "Postage Due" slip.

Sellers should always reimburse buyers for postage due - it's a seller's mistake after all.

Properly weighing shipments before mailing them is key to preventing "Postage Due" occurrences. Use scales on hard, flat surfaces to get an accurate weight.

USPS Flat Rate boxes and envelopes take the scale out of the equation, as you pay the same shipping rate regardless of the weight of the contents. If it fits, it ships, as the USPS ads say.

Sellers should consider reimbursing the buyer beyond the "Postage Due" fee, maybe with an extra dollar or two or a generous coupon for a future purchase.

A "Postage Due" slip not only means the package won't be delivered unless the buyer pays the fee, but also requires them to make a special trip to the post office.

If you receive a notice from the USPS, it's essential to take action right away. The notice will typically include a case number and a deadline for responding.

The USPS may conduct investigations if you're suspected of sending mail with postage due. These investigations can be triggered by a variety of factors, such as a high volume of undeliverable mail or complaints from recipients.

You'll usually receive a notification if you're being investigated, which will outline the reasons for the investigation and any necessary actions you need to take.

You've received a notification from USPS saying "Postage Due" and you're wondering if it's a scam. There are both legitimate and scam cases, so let's investigate.

The USPS will inform you that postage is due in legitimate cases, but we need to separate scams from legitimate requests.

You should have the means to determine if the notification is genuine after going over the different possibilities.

If you receive a USPS package with postage due, it's not necessarily a scam. The package itself is telling you that postage is due, which means the sender didn't pay enough for shipping.

USPS is trying to collect the remaining postage cost. If you take the package to a USPS location, they'll weigh it on the spot to determine the correct postage.

You can refuse to accept the package because postage is due, and it will be returned to the sender. This gives you the opportunity to discuss shipping with them and potentially refund the purchase.

If you do decide to pay the extra postage yourself, the USPS will accept the package, but you'll need to pay the correct amount on the spot. They'll weigh it right then and there to ensure the postage is accurate.

If you sent a USPS package with postage due, there's no mystery or ambiguity, and USPS won't ship it unless postage is accounted for.

You can use the shipping number or receipt from when you shipped the item, and see if more postage is due. If postage is due, then either you or USPS made a mistake.

If postage isn't due, then you're being scammed, and you have proof. You can contact USPS to resolve the situation.

If the buyer didn't accept the package and sent it back to you, you can go to your local post office and they can help you resolve the situation.