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Importation Tariff Issues Resolved

Until this year, stamps and covers could be imported into the United States under Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTSUS) 9704 free of duty. However, several months ago, new country specific tariffs came into effect. This affected philatelic material, which in turn, resulted in the global philatelic community fearing that foreign participants at the upcoming Boston 2026 World Expo would experience unacceptably high costs.

After close consultation with US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) over the past several weeks, the Boston 2026 Organizing Committee is pleased to announce that stamps and covers are, once again, tariff free for entry into the US. Specifically, the initial ruling letter that resulted in philatelic tariffs has now been ruled void ab initio (i.e., null from the beginning) and voided. A new ruling letter holding that philatelic material covered by HTSUS 9704 is again tariff free will be issued by the CBP in the next few weeks.

To ensure the free and smooth entry of philatelic material for the show, the show organizers have hired a customs brokerage firm, Vantage Point Services. They will provide foreign parties (i.e., dealers, auction houses, postal administrations and commissioners) importing philatelic material with the appropriate instructions and documentation for entry into the US. The customs broker offers support at multiple ports of entry, including Boston, New York, Miami, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Boston 2026 World Expo takes place May 23-30, 2026, at the BostonConvention & Exhibition Center. Full show details may be found at Boston2026.org and on Twitter and Facebook. Sign up to be added to the Boston 2026 email list and receive updates when available.

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Boston 2026: Update on U.S. Philatelic Tariffs

Boston 2026 has been working with various officials of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which includes U.S. Customs and Border Protection, regarding tariffs and the exhibition. Lower-level analysts specializing in collectibles up to Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem have been consulted, along with Republican and Democratic members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.

The 1994 amendment to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) states that informational materials are free of all tariffs. Our case, being presented by Mick Zais (right), former U.S. Acting Secretary of Education during the first Trump administration, is that philately is primarily an educational undertaking. Since stamps, philatelic material and exhibits are the informational media instruments furthering that pursuit, no tariff should be levied.

As a supplemental strategy, we have employed a customs broker, Vantage Point, to assist with acquiring temporary importation bonds, permitting exhibits for display purposes and other philatelic material not being sold, to enter the country under a tariff-free status. This would allow Boston 2026 commissioners and exhibitors from abroad bringing in “displays,” along with auction houses not directly selling material at the show, to enter and depart without worry.

We continue our efforts in anticipation of a resolution as soon as possible and thank everyone involved for their patience and understanding. Further news will be released as soon as a final resolution is known.

Boston 2026 World Expo takes place May 23-30, 2026, at the BostonConvention & Exhibition Center. Full show details may be found at Boston2026.org and on Twitter and Facebook. Sign up to be added to the Boston 2026 email list and receive updates when available.

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Collectors Club of Chicago Named Boston 2026 Sponsor

The Collectors Club of Chicago has donated $5,000 to be named the Boston 2026 World Expo Philatelic Literature Library Sponsor.

Few hobbies can claim the wealth of abundant resources that philately has. The ever-growing number of books, periodicals, catalogs, articles, web sites, applications, videos and other reference material continue to fill home bookshelves, libraries and computer hard drives around the world in every possible language.

Boston 2026 and the Fédération Internationale de Philatélie (FIP) recognize the importance of these works in the scholarly pursuit of knowledge through the exhibition’s judged literature competition. All entries will be made available for viewing by show-goers in a special reading room set aside to showcase the breadth of material available to philatelists.

It is fitting that the Collectors Club of Chicago has agreed to sponsor the literature library, as their very charter has as its primary objectives the documentation, preservation, advancement and promotion of philately through education, study, research and services. This most recent gift added to their prior contribution boosts the organization to “Boston 2026 Directors” donor level status.

Collectors Club of Chicago has a long history of publishing original philatelic literature that has earned numerous awards globally. The club has been an early advocate for on-demand publishing, which is a recent expansion for philatelic literature.

Boston 2026 World Expo takes place May 23-30, 2026, at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. Full show details may be found at Boston2026.org and on Twitter and Facebook. Sign up to be added to the Boston 2026 email list and receive updates when available.

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New Patronage-Based Boston 2026 IREX Available

Boston 2026 philatelic and literature exhibitors should be aware that an update has taken place to the Boston 2026 IREX, the exhibition’s rules and regulations, which is now posted on the show’s web site. Applications continue to be accepted exclusively online.

The change was necessitated by the upgrade by the Fédération Internationale de Philatélie (FIP) of the show to “Patronage” from “Recognition” status. A number of competitive exhibition classes have been added and are now fully welcomed to join those available earlier. FIP Consultant Reinaldo Macedo of Brazil has reviewed and approved the new guidelines.

Speaking about the transition, Boston 2026 President Yamil Kouri said, “Everything is now formally in place to fulfill the patronage changeover. It has been a while coming, but well worth the wait.”

Exhibitors who had previously applied for frames are not affected by the new IREX and are reminded that the selection of philatelic exhibits will not begin until the September 30 deadline has passed. Notification of acceptance will come through each country’s respective commissioner by mid-November. Literature applications, which include books, periodicals, catalogs, web sites, software and similar items will be accepted through January 31.

Boston 2026 World Expo takes place May 23-30, 2026, at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. Full show details may be found at Boston2026.org and on Twitter and Facebook. Sign up to be added to the Boston 2026 email list and receive updates when available.

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Boston 2026 Now a General World Exhibition

The Fédération Internationale de Philatélie (FIP) has upgraded its Boston 2026 World Expo participation status from “Recognition” to its highest level, “Patronage,” now classifying the event as a General World Exhibition. The agreement was finalized between FIP, Boston 2026 and American Philatelic Society officials during EuroPhilEx this past weekend in Birmingham, UK. [In the photo, L-R,026 World Expo President Yamil Kouri, FIP President Prakob Chirikati, APS President Cheryl Ganz, and FIP Consultant Reinaldo Macedo]

The FIP is philately’s version of the United Nations, representing nearly 100 national philatelic organizations from around the world. It standardizes guidelines for international-level competitions of all sizes and provides varying operational structures to assist show organizers.

The FIP offers several levels of involvement with increasing organizational requirements and monetary fees at each step. Preliminary exhibition approval by the FIP came in 2022, resulting in an agreement granting recognition status to Boston 2026. Negotiations since that time have continued between the FIP and Boston 2026 officers to elevate the U.S. international to its highest level under patronage status. That contract has now been endorsed by both organizations.

“Achieving patronage status guarantees all participants full rights, privileges and opportunities through the FIP system of international exhibitions,” said Yamil Kouri, Boston 2026 President [photo left]. “Judges will be 100% FIP accredited, and all awards will be recognized and recorded by the FIP in its official Awards List. This also means qualified prior FIP large gold winners may take part in our World Stamp Championship Class competition. It brings together the world’s greatest exhibits under one roof to determine Grand Prix National, Grand Prix International and Grand Prix d’Honneur winners.”

Prospective exhibitors are reminded that philatelic exhibit applications are only accepted electronically through the Boston 2026 web site and must be received by September 30. National commissioners will inform accepted exhibitors in November. The deadline for literature applications is January 31, 2026.

Reinaldo Macedo of Brazil, who had earlier been appointed as the FIP Liaison Officer, is now the FIP Consultant. Most current and past FIP officers and officials are expected to be in attendance.

Boston 2026 World Expo takes place May 23-30, 2026, at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. Full show details may be found at Boston2026.org and on Twitter and Facebook. Sign up to be added to the Boston 2026 email list and receive updates when available.

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Boston 2026 Commissioner Reorganization

Chris Lazaroff has been appointed as the Commissioner General of Boston 2026, replacing Yamil Kouri who will continue as the exhibition’s President.

“As work progresses it became clear that it would be best that I concentrate my time solely on my leadership role and turn the important responsibilities of the exhibits to someone else,” said Kouri. “Chris is eminently qualified to handle the position, assisted by Deputy Commissioner General Dzintars Grinfelds.”

Lazaroff was earlier selected to be the show’s U.S. East Commissioner in addition to his role as United States Postal Service Liaison.

Tom Fortunato of Rochester, New York, is assuming the East Commissioner post while continuing as Public Relations Chair. He had been the exhibits chair for the national ROPEX stamp show for two decades and has been a jointly certified APS/ATA judge since 2000.

Kouri continued, “These reassignments strengthen our Boston 2026 team and commitment to exhibiting participants in particular. We welcome Chris and Tom’s willingness to add to their present show duties.”

Boston 2026 World Expo takes place May 23-30, 2026, at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. Full show details may be found at Boston2026.org and on Twitter and Facebook. Sign up to be added to the Boston 2026 email list and receive updates when available.

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Boston 2026 Online Hotel Reservation System Now Active

Hotel reservations have opened for Boston 2026 World Expo, taking place in fourteen months.

Eight official show hotels have been selected from throughout the Boston Seaport district representing Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, Omni and Yotel chains. All are three or four-star rated, fully wheelchair-accessible and within walking distance of the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center [below left]. The show headquarters hotel, the Westin Boston Seaport District (right), and the Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport, are physically attached to the center itself.

Reservations are being accepted for check-ins a few days before the show’s opening, during, and a few days after the close from Tuesday, May 19 through Monday, June 1.

Per night room rates run from $229 to $333. Rates shown are for single/double occupancy. Triple and quad occupancy is available at some show hotels. These discounted prices are only available by making reservations through the Boston 2026 web site link to onPeak, the show’s contracted housing management firm. Negotiations continue to add one or two properties to the list outside of the city center. These, too, will be found on the Boston2026.org hotel page when confirmed.

Hotel rooms are offered on a first-come basis with no guarantee that additional room blocks will be released once full. In all cases a credit card or check deposit of one night’s stay is required. Reservations must be cancelled 72 hours prior to the day of arrival to avoid a late cancellation fee of one night’s room and tax.

Boston 2026 World Expo takes place May 23-30, 2026, at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. Full show details may be found at Boston2026.org and on X and Facebook. Sign up to be added to the Boston 2026 email list and receive updates when available.

Added March 22:

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Additional Boston 2026 Show Hotels Contracted

Two additional properties have signed on to become official show hotels for Boston 2026 World Expo.

“Details took a bit longer than expected to work out,” said Boston 2026 Executive Director Mark Butterline, “But the addition of these hotels help round out our eight hotel offerings to attendees with discounted prices ranging from $129 to $333 per night plus tax.”

Both the Boston Marriott Newton and Boxborough Regency Hotel & Convention Center are in the greater Boston suburbs, 11 and 27 miles respectively from the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center and offer free parking. Visitors planning to drive to the region will find them especially convenient as they are off major highways with plenty of restaurants and attractions nearby. Residents of these communities take advantage of low-cost parking at train and light rail stations throughout the area and commute into the city.

Boston 2026 President Yamil Kouri reminds show-goers, “We encourage visitors to make reservations through our web site as early as possible to avoid disappointment. Each property only has a limited number of rooms available at the special reduced price. Reservations can be changed based on availability closer to the show or cancelled within 72 hours of its starting date without penalty.”