Stamps and Post Office
United Nations Stamps
For the pleasure of philatelic collectors, the United Nations issues its own stamps and visitors can purchase them at the United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA) Sales Counter located in the lower level of the Visitors’ Lobby.
UNPA Sales Counter
Lower level, Visitors Lobby
General Assembly Building
1st Avenue and 45th Street
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. from January to August
9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. from September to December
The counter is closed on weekends in January and February as well as most public holidays. To confirm counter hours, visitors can call 212-963-7698.
United Nations stamps can be a unique gift idea for collectors and supporters of the UN or can be a pleasant surprise for friends and family when receiving a postcard. But remember, stamps are valid for postage only if mailed at UN Headquarters.
In recording the activities of the United Nations, the stamps have displayed an enormous variety of styles and designs. From straightforward graphic depiction to illustrations, the stamps represent hope and despair, sadness and joy, or, more simply, commemoration, observance and reflection.
Personalized Stamps
Have fun and create your own UN stamp with your photo taken at the Personalized Stamp Shop located in the main level of the Visitors Lobby and use it to mail your postcards at the UN post office:
UNPA Personalized Stamp Shop
Visitors Lobby
General Assembly Building
1st Avenue and 45th Street
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday to Friday
10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
The counter is closed on weekends in January and February as well as most public holidays. To confirm Personalized Stamp Shop hours, visitors can call 917-367-4070.
DID YOU KNOW?
The first United Nations stamps were issued in U.S. dollar denominations on United Nations Day, on 24 October 1951
The idea of the United Nations issuing its own stamps was first proposed in 1947 by José Arce the Ambassador from Argentina and president of the United Nations General Assembly, who was himself a philatelist. An agreement with the United States postal authorities was reached in 1951 and it stipulated that the stamps be denominated in United States currency, and used only at UN Headquarters.
United Nations stamps are issued simultaneously at UN offices in New York, Geneva and Vienna.