Philatelic Bureau of PNG
P.O. Box 1

Boroko

National Capital District

Papua New Guinea

Phone: (675) 300 3745

Fax: (675) 323 3045

Stamp Issue Policy

Guide to the selection of stamp themes.

Post PNG Ltd produces postage stamps and postal stationery (pre-paid postage items).Many requests are received each year from members of the public, associations, institutions and government departments for specific subjects to be featured on stamps and postal stationery. Although the range of possible subjects is limitless, for practical reasons not all suggestions can be adopted. While variety in the themes featured on stamps is desirable, this has to be balanced by the needs of the postal system, production capacities (with particular regard to the interests of the philatelic community) and the propriety of particular subject matter. As a consequence, criteria have been established against which potential themes are considered. We believe this conservative policy will enhance your affinity to Stamp Collecting and the enjoyment you derive from this world famous hobby.

To view details, click the links below:

1. Postage Stamps

• What subjects may be featured on stamps?
• What subjects may not be featured on stamps?
• When may people be depicted on stamps?

2. Postal Stationery

• Pre-stamped Envelopes, Post Cards and Aerograms.Etc;

3. How to suggest stamp subjects

• Stamp Withdrawal Policy
• Stamp Archival Policy
• Stamp Repurchase Policy

Postage Stamps

As this suggests, individual requests for stamp subjects can only be accommodated within the third category. Conformity with the criteria set out below does not guarantee the selection of any individual theme or subject, due to the limited number of stamps issued each year and the need to create a varied and balanced programme. The selection process begins at least two year before the stamps are issued to allow for detailed research, the development of designs, printing and monitoring of stamp production.

1. All subjects must be directly related to Papua New Guinea, be of outstanding national or international interest and/or significance, and enjoy popular acclaim.
2. All subjects must be capable of satisfactory depiction at stamp size.
3. Anniversaries commemorated must be of 50 years or multiples of 50 years.
4. Meetings and conferences may be honored on commemorative stamps only in very rare circumstances involving heads of national governments.

What subjects may not be featured on stamps?

1. Anniversaries of the death of any individual
2. Matters of interest only to a narrow section of the community, or to a province or to a single region.
3. Anniversaries of the founding of a city, town or local government body
4. Anniversaries of events connected with political parties or groups, commercial enterprises or products, and subjects likely to cause public divisiveness.
5.  Recurring events held in Papua New Guinea, including awards and festivals, except for Queen’s Birthday, Christmas and major events of philatelic interest.
6. The inferior issues, imperforate specimens and other dubious issues that may not benefit PNG in any way.

When may live people be depicted on stamps?

Certain living people may be depicted on Papua New Guinea stamps and postal stationery in certain circumstances. They are:

Postal Stationery

Pre-stamped Envelopes, Post Cards and Aerograms. Etc;

The following criteria are applied in the selection of subject matter for postal stationeries:

1. All subjects must be directly related to Papua New Guinea and of general interest and appeal.
2. Anniversaries commemorated must be of 25 years or multiples of 25 years.
3. Meetings or conferences may be commemorated provided they are held in Papua New Guinea, are international in participation, at least partly sponsored by the Papua New Guinean government and are of general interest.
4. Anniversaries of educational, professional, charitable or sporting organizations and institutions may be commemorated, provided that such anniversaries commemorate the founding of such activities in Papua New Guinea.
5.  Flora, fauna, architecture, arts, scenery, flags, emblems, cultures and insignia depicting Papua New Guinea,

(Subjects excluded from depiction on Postal Stationeries are indicated under” Postage Stamps”).

How to Suggest Stamp Subjects

Email: philatelic@postpng.com.pg
Phone: (675) 300 3740
Fax:      (675) 323 3045

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Stamp Withdrawal Policy

1. All commemorative stamps will be withdrawn 6 months after the date of issue to the head office.
2. The definitive stamps will be withdrawn two year after the date of issue, to the distributor of stamps (DoS), and archived as per the existing policies.
3. All provisional issues will be withdrawn 6 months after the date of issue, to the distributor of stamps (DoS).

Stamp Archival Policy

1. All stocks that are withdrawn will be archived at head office; however limited quantity will be kept at Philatelic warehouse for sale, if available.
2. The inventory division together with philatelic bureau will safely archive the old stocks at the head office.
3. The stocks when archived will only be used by the philatelic bureau with proper authorization in the following ways;
• Kept at the Museums/Libraries, etc,
• For promotional purposes,
• To produces postal frames products and others,
• And for sales when requested to secondary markets.

 

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Stamp Repurchase Policy

These Guidelines to the Repurchase Policy of Papua New Guinea Postage Stamps and Stationeries are guided by the following conditions authorized to be applied at the Distributor of Stamps (DoS) when postage stamps and postal stationery are returned to Post PNG Limited for Repurchase.

1. A minimum of K100.00 worth of Papua New Guinea postage stamps and postal stationeries can be repurchased by Post PNG provided they are all free of defects and in original condition.
2. Any stock that is returned for Repurchase must be accompanied by a copy of the Sales Voucher or Receipt of payment of stock issued by the source from which the stock items were originally bought.
3. This source must be a member of APS, PTS and ASDA (USA and Australia) etc.  All loose stamps must be packed properly, each denomination on a separate pack with a maximum of 50 stamps on each pack.
4. Full sheets of stamps need to be in original condition.
5. Aerogramme with undefined impressed postage stamps will be repurchased less than 1, 2, 8 and 9 conditions.
6. Pre-Stamped Envelopes (PSEs) with undefaced impressed postage stamps will be repurchased under 1, 2, 8 and 9 conditions.
7. Stamp Packs, Annual Packs and Stamp Albums containing correct mint stamps for each pack or album will be Repurchased under 1, 2, 8 and 9 conditions.
8. Payment will be made at face value less 30% discount. This discount rate supersedes any other Rate or Advise previously given.
9. The above Repurchase Conditions are valid only for legitimate PNG Stamps and Postal Stationeries released from 1975 to the last year.
10. Postage Stamps overprinted with "Specimen" or "Stamp Duty", postage stamps overprinted or perforated "O.S." or Postal charge stamps will not be repurchased.
11. This repurchase policy is effective as of 1st July 2007.