Resource Protection

Using Semipostal Stamps To Fund the Nongame Act Gao ID: RCED-88-88BR February 1, 1988

In response to a congressional request, GAO provided information on the sale of semipostal stamps as a potential funding source for the preservation of wildlife species not used for sport, fur, or food.

GAO found that: (1) semipostal stamps are generally special stamps with a surcharge of about 50 percent above the normal postal rate; (2) sales of the stamps could generate an estimated $12 million annually, based on information from foreign countries with semipostal sales experience; and (3) the Postal Service (USPS) estimated that sales would be less than $110 million annually, based on its experience with stamp collectors. GAO also found that USPS opposes the sale of semipostal stamps because of the: (1) possible negative effect on the stamp-collecting market, which generates approximately $187 million per year; and (2) administrative expenses of accounting for semipostal stamps at over 40,000 post offices nationwide.



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