Used unmarked Stamps

[SaidDuran]

Hello, I found some letters, which I sent about year ago and I found some stamps on them, which are unmarked. Can you tell me, if I can use them again?






And when I am sending a letter from United Kingdom, must I stick the Airmail sticker?

[Shambler]

It's illegal to re-use unfranked stamps, but most people do it anyway! ;)

And yes, you should use an airmail sticker when sending internationally.

[SaidDuran]

Thank you for your help..And how the post office recognize, that it was already used?

[Shambler]

They don't, hehe ;)

[Mr Kennedy]

Thank you for your help..And how the post office recognize, that it was already used?

They have ways.

Its illegal, end of discussion really. Discussing illegal activites, surely the thread should be locked, not encouraged?

[SaidDuran]

I did not know it is illegal so I did not know, that I can not post this question here..I am not encouraged, I would try to send it anyway..If I broke some rules, I am really sorry

[Mr Kennedy]

I did not know it is illegal so I did not know, that I can not post this question here..I am not encouraged, I would try to send it anyway..If I broke some rules, I am really sorry

Im just saying if they catch you you'll be in trouble. Admittedly a lot of people do it with no problem, but would you want to risk it?

[joshh_911]

UK stamps have a vertical band across them which you can see if you hold them to the light (or better still a UV light), I'm not 100% sure as to how the process works but they contain a chemical which is tagged or de-magnetised by the sorting machines.

I recently got a letter which looked to have 'unused' stamps as they had been peeled off another envelope and some didn't have evidence of franking over the top, but had obviously been through the machines a second time and found to have been used once already, and I had to pay 97p postage plus £1 handling fee. So if you sent something with a used second-class stamp and they discovered it, the recipient has to pay the cost of the stamp plus £1 regardless, with the hassle of having to actually collect it from a sorting depot as the postal workers can't accept money at the door.

[mhammen]

I agree with Mr Kennedy. If you try to re-use stamps just because they appear unmarked, it is both illegal and dishonest. A clear conscience and sense of honor is worth more than the price of a few extra stamps. I'm glad you asked, because I know other people have wondered about the same thing.


"The weed of crime bears bitter fruit...."
says The Shadow

[omgitscaro]

Never tried using unmarked stamps and I didn't know it was even illegal.
I guess you do learn something new everyday!