Sometimes you overestimate how much of something you’ll need, like stamps.
Which got us wondering, will USPS buy back your unused stamps?! We looked into it and this is what we found…
Does USPS Buy Back Unused Stamps?
Unfortunately, USPS won’t buy your unused stamps. However, they do offer to exchange your stamps for other postage – depending on the condition of the stamps and the reason for the exchange.
This article takes a look at the USPS and your unused stamps: what you can do with them, where you can take them, and how you can get money for them.
What Can I Do With Unused Stamps?
If you have an assortment of unused stamps at home, you can choose to use them, exchange them or sell them.
If you choose to use them, simply sort out how many you need and affix to your envelope or package. Any combination of stamps may be used in meeting the postage requirements. You may have to do is purchase additional stamps to make up the total postage costs.
If you are thinking about exchanging your stamps, you can go to USPS. They have a fairly detailed exchange and refund information about stamps on their website.
USPS state that your stamps can be exchanged for new postage of the same value providing the post office sold you damaged or unusable stamps in the first place, or if you accidently bought the wrong kind of stamps.
In this case, the stamps you’re exchanging need to be undamaged and sealed. If you have more than $250 worth, bring some form of ID.
If your stamps are unusable because of humidity or moisture for example, you may still get an exchange. Your purchase needs to have been within 12 months of the exchange, and the stamps must still be in a sheet, coil, or booklet.
Each stamp must be intact and with the denomination showing.
Where Can I Sell My Unused Stamps?
If you’re interested in selling your unused stamps (and it’s perfectly legal to do so), there are a number of places prepared to buy them, such as Return My Stamps, Sell Unused Stamps, and Sell Forever Stamps.
If you visit Return My Stamps, for example, you’ll first see their rates on stamp returns. These are based on the condition of your stamps. They offer a detailed description of forever stamps they consider to be new or usable, and for non-forever stamps in new or usable condition.
They’ll give 70% face value for new condition forever stamps: complete sheets or booklets, unsoiled, unbent, and unfolded.
They’ll give 50% face value for used condition forever stamps: partial or bent sheets or booklets (single stamps included) and for non-forever stamps in new condition (as previously described).
They’ll give 40% face value for non-forever stamps in used condition: partial or bent sheets, books, and rolls, and again, single stamps are accepted.
Return My Stamps will pay you through a check in the mail, PayPal, or a wire transfer.
What Kind of Stamps Can’t Be Exchanged at USPS?
USPS have a brief list of stamps which they will not consider for exchange regardless of when they were purchased. These include:
- Stamps that are mutilated and/or defaced in any way
- Stamps that have been cut from envelopes, cards, or any other kind of packaging
- Parts and pieces of stamped cards
- Stamped cards, stamped envelopes, and aerogrammes received for reply
- Adhesive stamps unless they were purchased by mistake, were defective (unusable), or where stuck to commercial postcards or envelopes.
Want to learn more about USPS? Check out our related post to learn if USPS accepts FedEx returns, does USPS deliver at night and does USPS ship internationally.
Conclusion..
Everyone will end up with a collection of unused stamps at some point, and it’s good to know that you don’t have to throw them out.
You can use them up as a combination or take them to USPS for a possible exchange, or you can sell them online.