Can USPS Imperforate Stamps Be Used For Postage?

I have a question about modern USPS press sheets without die cuts.

Are individual stamps cut from these press sheets valid for postage on regular mail?

I noticed that some USPS product descriptions state "Collectible item only (not eligible for mail use)", even though these are genuine USPS-issued stamps.

Here are a few examples from the official USPS Postal Store:

2026 American Bison:
https://store.usps.com/store/produc...uts-S_488808

2026 Bruce Lee:
https://store.usps.com/store/produc...uts-S_488008

2023 Ruth Bader Ginsburg:
https://store.usps.com/store/produc...uts-S_483308

Does anyone know whether this restriction applies only to the intact press sheet or also to individual stamps carefully cut from it?

Has anyone actually used these stamps for postage, particularly in recent years?

I've used imperf press sheet singles as postage for a long time and no one has ever said anything. AFAIK, they are valid for postage.

By the way, when I go to the links you provided, I do not see "Collectible item only (not eligible for mail use)" anywhere on the page.

Thanks for sharing your experience! It's good to hear that you've been using imperforate stamps for postage without any issues.

Regarding the USPS description, here's a screenshot from the Bruce Lee Press Sheet Without Die Cuts product page. Under "How it works", it explicitly states:

"Purpose: Collectible item only (not eligible for mail use)."

I'm curious whether USPS means the intact press sheet isn't intended for mailing, or whether they've introduced a restriction on using individual stamps cut from these sheets.

I see that now. Interestingly that this same admonition is also included on the press sheets WITH die cuts... but how would anyone know if a die cut stamp came from retail sheets or a die cut press sheet?

I have no idea why that statement is there. It makes no sense.

That's a very good point! If USPS uses the same statement for press sheets WITH die cuts, it makes even less sense, since those stamps should be identical to the ones sold in regular panes.

I also wanted to share this photo of an actual envelope I received through USPS. It has a 2022 Eugenie Clark imperforate stamp alongside a regular die-cut stamp. Interestingly, the sender even included a note stating, "This no die cuts stamp is valid, official postage."



I'm personally about 99% convinced these stamps are valid for postage. I suspect the USPS wording refers to the press sheet as a collectible product rather than the individual stamps.

By the way, have you or anyone ever experienced any issues when using imperforate stamps for postage, such as postal employees questioning their validity or refusing to accept them? Have you ever needed to include a similar note or take any special precautions?

I've also emailed USPS for an official clarification and will share their response here when I hear back.

I get questioning looks at the post office with a lot of the vintage postage that I use. "Are those real stamps?" So it's not surprising if they scrutinize the modern forever imperfs. The printing quality of some of the genuine stamps is so poor, it looks like they could have been printed with an ink jet printer.
If only they were able to identify high quality genuine fakes and mark them RTS or postage due, but I digress.

I don't know what "not eligible for mail use" means. Maybe "For collectors, not intended for postal use" makes sense, but "not eligible" is strange.