How does USPS know if a stamp has been used?

Asked by: Johnson Kuhn  |  Last update: October 10, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (57 votes)

The cancellation of stamps, like many other postal operations, is automated. Most stamps are coated with a substance that may be detected by cancellation machines which verify that postage is affixed. These machines reject letters on which a stamp cannot be detected.

How does the Post Office know if you reuse a stamp?

After use, many stamps are marked with a cancellation by the postal system, which defaces the stamp and prevents its reuse. The cancellation usually includes a killer placed on the stamp that has black bars, cork impressions or other obstructive shapes to deface the stamp.

How do I know if a postage stamp has been used?

Used stamps might have some of the features below:
  1. Cost less than the official Royal Mail prices.
  2. Fainter and inconsistent in colour.
  3. Dull or non-existent iridescent overprint (the shiny text across the stamp and Queen's head)
  4. Roughened or damaged surface.
  5. Faint cancellation marks across the surface of the stamp.

Can the Post Office detect reused stamps?

Most of the process is automated so therefore they do not look at each stamp. for the last few years they have been using an adhesive that destroys the stamp if one tries to reuse it.

What happens if you get caught reusing a stamp?

Section 604 of the United States Postal Service's Domestic Mail Manual is titled “Postage Payment Methods and Refunds.” Under section 604, subsection 1.8 addresses the reuse of stamps, stating: “Reuse of stamps with intent to cause loss to the government or the USPS is punishable by fine and imprisonment.”

How to spot counterfeit USPS forever stamps

20 related questions found

Can Post Office find proof of postage?

You can request a free 'proof of posting' at a Collect+ store or Post Office when you hand over your letter or parcel for posting. You can also obtain a digital proof of posting on the Royal Mail App.

What happens if you accidentally use fake stamps?

If engaged in this fraudulent criminal activity, an individual may be liable for criminal and/or civil penalties. Furthermore, U.S. Mail, including packages, found with counterfeit stamps and/or postage may not be processed or delivered by USPS.

Are postage stamps traceable?

Before barcoded stamps, customers could only follow the location of their mail if they paid extra for a tracked service. Now, nearly every piece of mail will be traceable.

How can people sell forever stamps so cheaply?

Scammers peddle fake stamps on social media marketplaces, e-commerce sites via third party vendors, and other websites. Counterfeit stamps are often sold in bulk quantities at a significant discount–anywhere from 20 to 50 percent of their face value.

Can you peel off a stamp and reuse it?

Once a postage stamp has been used, it is a federal crime to: 1. Remove, attempt to remove, or assist to remove cancellation marks from postage.

Can you reuse the new stamps if they are not franked?

Royal Mail has also outlined the following rules: Any person who knowingly reuses or sells you stamps for postage, whether they have had cancellation marks on the envelope removed or not, is committing fraud.

Can you glue a stamp to an envelope?

Postal regulations are clear (or so I thought at the time of this writing) — do not use glue to secure postage stamps to an envelope. If your 55-cent postage stamp is defective, if it won't stick to the envelope, take it to your nearest post office for assistance.

How can I tell if a postage stamp has been used?

First of all – a used stamp has actually been used for postage. It has a cancellation on it, and usually the gum is missing. An unused stamp has never been used postally, but may have small imperfections such as a thin or a small tear. A mint stamp is fault-free.

What stops people from reusing stamps?

No, a used stamp cannot be reused. If the stamp was already used to send mail through the USPS®, it cannot be used to mail a different mailpiece even if the stamp was not canceled, or defaced by the Postal Service™ to make a stamp unusable.

What happens if you post a letter with an old stamp?

Mail posted with non-barcoded Definitive stamps after 31 January 2023, will for the first 6 month be delivered as normal, no surcharge will be raised. After this 6 month grace period, an item with a non-barcoded stamp would be treated as if there is insufficient postage.

Can stamps be traced to who bought them?

The new barcoded stamps were introduced in February 2022. Each barcode is unique, allowing each stamp to be traceable through the postal system. It also allows customers to send videos that the recipient of the letter can scan and watch.

What happens if you remove the barcode from a stamp?

You can't use non-barcoded everyday stamps on post from 1 August 2023 onwards. If you do, the person you're sending the letter or parcel to will have to pay £1.10 to receive it. This fee is the same regardless of the original cost of postage.

Do stamped letters have tracking?

Although First-Class Mail postcards, letters, and flats are not eligible for USPS Tracking, those items are eligible for other extra services that provide barcodes for scanning. These extra services can be purchased, providing some tracking information.

Can you go to jail for reusing stamps?

Reuse of stamps with intent to cause loss to the government or the USPS is punishable by fine and imprisonment.

Can you go to jail for using fake stamps?

Whoever forges, or counterfeits, or knowingly utters or uses any forged or counterfeit postage stamp or revenue stamp of any foreign government, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.

What happens if you don't use a stamp?

Matter of any class, including that for which special services are indicated, received at either the office of mailing or office of address without postage, is endorsed “Returned for Postage” and is returned to the sender without an attempt at delivery.

Is proof of postage tracked?

You can use the reference number on your proof of postage to track your items. Royal Mail and Parcelforce Worldwide can only be tracked if you've bought a service with a tracking or reference number. You'll need the reference number on your Post Office receipt to track your items.

Can postal mail be traced?

While end-to-end tracking is not available for First-Class Mail letters, you can purchase an Extra Service and get tracking information. Learn more about First-Class Mail options here.