While the prices of stamps will increase again on January 1, 2025, scammers are taking advantage of this to sell counterfeits at knockdown prices.
100,000. This is the number of fake stamps seized by French customs in recent months. The largest batches of goods were found in the Paris region, in Marseille, but also in Reims, where an individual stored 24,000 fake stamps at his home.
As the French customs website explains, these counterfeits come from Asia. The stamps closely resemble the original version since they bear the La Poste logo and that of Marianne. But in fact, they have nothing to do with the company that manufactures its stamps in Boulazac, in New Aquitaine. The company has decided to file a complaint against the recipients of the packages received by customs.
Fake classic and collectible stamps
These counterfeits, which concern both classic and collectible stamps, are generally sold online or secretly between individuals. You just have to type “cheap stamp” on Google to come across a multitude of sites offering them at knockdown prices.
The circulation of these illegal copies is not only detrimental for La Poste, which suffers a loss of income, but also and above all for users, who seriously risk not seeing their mail delivered.
Also, philatelists (stamp collectors) are also victims of these counterfeits. Indeed, collectible stamps are not spared from counterfeiters
Up to 300,000 euros fine for users
If the people who put these stamps into circulation are of course prosecuted, the users who buy them can also be subject to legal proceedings.
As the customs website explains, “customs sanctions are cumulative with the criminal sanctions that may be imposed and which can go up to a fine of 300,000 euros and three years in prison.”
Therefore, to avoid being exposed to these sanctions, it is imperative to purchase your stamps directly at your post office or on the site provided for this purpose.
The price of stamps is exploding
While some people may purchase these products without being aware that they are counterfeit, others purchase them knowingly to save money.
For good reason, La Poste has significantly increased the prices of its stamps in recent years. A new increase of 7.8% for the price of the green letter is also planned from January 1.
In order to postage a 20-gram letter, the French will have to pay 1.39 euros compared to 1.29 euros currently. Postal rates had already increased by 8.3% on January 1.
