Do Stamps Expire?

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How long can you keep them and will their value hold?

Update: 2020 Postage Rates Increases Released! - Stay Up To Date

Ok, we get it - you’ve got some old stamps hanging out in a drawer somewhere and you want to know if you can send with them. We’ll answer that and also help you figure out what is next.

Short answer: no, they never expire, even though postage rates are increasing in 2020!

They are valid forever as long as they can be validated as legitimate postage. This means if you put an old stamp that looks stained and ratty on a letter with tape, it will likely be rejected. However, if it is clean and adheres, you can send with it. But, postage rates increases are also happening in 2020, as well as 2021.

Do Forever Stamps Expire?

Forever stamps will always be able to mail a one-ounce letter no matter when you purchased it or how much the prices may change in the future. They’re always sold at the same price as the standard First-Class stamps.

Interestingly, all of the main postage rates are increasing even for forever stamps and Priority Mail, so you might want to stock up! However, the prices of online postage services will remain the same outside of the raw postage rates themselves.

The Current Value of Stamps

What is the current value of a forever stamp? Find out the current value of a forever stamp and how much postage you need to send a letter.

How do I know if a stamp will be rejected?

A stamp, no matter how old, will be rejected if:

1. The border is damaged or torn
2. The price/value of the stamp is illegible, blurred, smeared or covered
3. If you put tape over the stamp in order to ensure it adheres to the envelope - the USPS specifically calls this out as a reason for rejecting (and gluing also technically will get rejected as well)

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