Liability ― supplies of postage stamps and philatelic items

Copyright © 2026 LexisNexis
Produced by a Tolley Value Added Tax expert
Value Added Tax
Guidance

Liability ― supplies of postage stamps and philatelic items

Copyright © 2026 LexisNexis
Produced by a Tolley Value Added Tax expert
Value Added Tax
Guidance
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This guidance note provides an overview of the VAT treatment of supplies of postage stamps and philatelic items.

Is there VAT on postage stamps?

There is no VAT on the face value of stamps that can be used to pay for first or second-class postage services supplied by Royal Mail. The face value of a stamp is its normal price and may be stated on, or recorded within, the stamp or the conditions governing its use.

If a stamp that can be used to pay for first or second-class postage services supplied by Royal Mail is sold for a price that exceeds its face value, only the amount by which the price exceeds the face value of the stamp is subject to VAT at the standard rate.

The following categories of postage stamps are subject to VAT at the standard rate when sold in the UK:

  1. •

    used stamps

  2. •

    unused stamps that are no longer valid

  3. •

    foreign stamps

Notice 701/8

Stamps that are subject

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  • 30 Mar 2026 10:50

Home/ Tolley Tax Guidance/ Value Added Tax / Determining VAT liability

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