Hi Misty kelley,

Why would USPS say the stamps are counterfeit?

There are several possibilities, with the first being the most common:

The sender used counterfeit stamps: This is the most likely reason. The sender may have purchased the stamps through unofficial channels (such as heavily discounted online sales or secondhand platforms), and these stamps are elaborately made counterfeits. USPS mail processing centers have specialized equipment to detect anti-counterfeiting features such as fluorescence, perforations, and adhesive on stamps, making counterfeit stamps easily identifiable. Once discovered, USPS will process it according to procedure.

USPS misjudgment: Although the probability is low, different countries use different anti-counterfeiting technologies for stamps. USPS staff may be unfamiliar with certain stamp designs or anti-counterfeiting features of China Post, leading to misjudgment. However, the error rate in such large-scale processing centers is not high.

Insufficient postage or improper stamp use: Sometimes, if the stamp value is insufficient, or if cancelled stamps are reused, the system may mark it as "problematic" and colloquially referred to as "counterfeit." However, strictly speaking, this is different from counterfeiting.

When will I receive the package?

Unfortunately, the situation is not optimistic. Once USPS officially determines that the stamps on the package are counterfeit, it will not deliver it through the normal process. Here are the possible outcomes:

The package will be detained and treated as "overpaid mail": USPS will pursue you (the recipient) or the sender for the outstanding postage and penalties. The penalties are usually substantial.

The package will be returned to the sender: If the fees cannot be collected, or the sender's address is incorrect, the package will likely be returned to China. However, the return process is very slow and postage will still be charged.

The package will be destroyed: In rare cases, if the sender cannot be identified and the recipient refuses to pay the fees, the mail may be destroyed.

Therefore, it is highly unlikely that you will receive this package "normally." You need to take proactive action, not passively wait.

What should you do now?

Time is of the essence, please follow these steps as soon as possible:

Contact USPS immediately:

Call USPS Customer Service: 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777).

Prepare your package tracking number (it should begin with letters like C, E, R, L, for example, CP123456789CN).

Clearly tell customer service: "USPS notified me that the stamps on my package are counterfeit. I would like to know the current status of the package and the claim/resolvement process."

Simultaneously, immediately contact the sender:

Inform them of USPS's assessment.

Request the sender to provide the original proof of purchase for the stamps when sending the package via China Post** (post office receipt, invoice, etc.). This is the only evidence to prove the stamps are genuine.

If the item was purchased from platforms like Taobao or eBay, request a full refund or reshipment from the seller. If a friend sent the package, ask them to explain the origin of the stamps.

Prepare for the worst:

If you cannot provide proof of the stamps' authenticity, the package is essentially lost. Do not pay a fine to USPS, as the fine may exceed the value of the package itself.

If the package contains very important documents or items, you can inquire at your local Mail Recovery Center (also known as the "dead letter office"), but the chances of recovery are very low.