Category Archives: Stamp Shows

Boston 2026 Show Now Has Webpage on Tariff Ruling

Posted on by
1

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
Boston 2026 Show Now Has Webpage on Tariff Ruling

The Boston 2026 web site has a new webpage dealing exclusively with the tariff issues around stamps and philatelic material, including a copy of the new ruling letter covering HTSUS 9704 that such items are again tariff free. See the Tariffs webpage on www.Boston2026.org.

In a correspondence dated October 30 from Andrew Langreich, Office of Trade Chief at U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, to Boston 2026 Executive Director Mark Butterline, the ruling confirms Harmonized Tariff Schedule HTSUS 9704 items (i.e., stamps and other philatelic material) are exempt from all tariffs and duties.

Boston 2026 previously hired Vantage Point Services, a customs broker, to ensure no difficulties are encountered by those needing importation assistance to the show. This advice was echoed by the Office of Trade Chief’s correspondence.

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 Facebook, X and Instagram. Sign up to be added to the Boston 2026 email list and receive updates when available.

Boston 2026: Importation Tariff Issues Resolved

Posted on by
Reply

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
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.

Boston 2026 Promotion Offer for Cachetmakers

Posted on by
Reply

The Boston 2026 team wants to see — and show — your cachets for the Boston 2026 stamps that came out in August!

It will post images of some or all of the FDCs on its social media sites. The offer is open only to AFDCS members.

If you wish to participate, send .jpg images — ideally, 1080×1080 or a vertical format — to Boston 2026 social media coordinator Julie Dennehy, dennehypr@gmail.com with this information:

Artist Name and AFDCS Member #
Cachet line name
City/State/Country:
Medium Used:
Quantity Made:
Email:
Web Site/Social Media:

As an example:

Artist Name, AFDCS Member #: Lloyd de Vries, #LM381
Cachet line name: Dragon Cards
City/State/Country: Twp of Washington, NJ, USA
Medium Used: Commercial digital press
Quantity Made: 88
Email: DragonCards@pobox.com
Web Site/Social Media: www.dragoncards.biz

And a personal tip: If you produced more than one design, I recommend you show the best or the best or the one you most want to sell!

Boston 2026: Update on U.S. Philatelic Tariffs

Posted on by
Reply

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
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.

AFDCS Doubles Boston 2026 Donation

Posted on by
Reply

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
AFDCS Doubles Boston 2026 Donation

The American First Day Cover Society has made an additional $5,000 contribution to Boston 2026, bringing their total donation to date to $10,000, raising them to “Boston 2026 Early Bird” status.

With over 1,100 members, the AFDCS is the third-largest philatelic organization in the United States and the largest catering to first day collectors around the world. The organization is a co-sponsor of the Great American Stamp Show along with the American Philatelic Society and American Topical Association, where it hosts its annual Americover exhibition and convention.

Their latest gift was approved by the AFDCS Board during the GASS show in August and sent to Boston 2026 officials shortly thereafter by Executive Secretary Debra Gibson, commenting that many of their members will be attending the event and are looking forward to all that the exhibition and Boston area have to offer.

“We plan a strong presence at Boston 2026, with meetings, seminars and a booth,” said AFDCS president Lloyd A. de Vries. “With as many as half a dozen U.S. issues being released at Boston 2026, those eight days will be an exciting time for first day cover collectors.”

The AFDCS has many active chapters. Some are regional affiliates, like the Rochester Philatelic Association, while others are specialist groups, including the National Duck Stamp Collectors Society and Maximum Card Study Unit.

While FDC collecting and exhibiting has a strong following in North America, the international philatelic community is still discovering the enjoyment of this facet of the hobby. First day cover exhibiting is being featured at Boston 2026 as a Fédération Internationale de Philatélie experimental class. This exposure can further grow interest in first day covers around the world.

Annual membership in the American First Day Cover Society is $35 for collectors in the US and $100 for non-US residents, who may instead opt for online delivery of the organization’s bimonthly journal “First Days” for $24 instead. See details on their web site, afdcs.org, check out their Facebook group at facebook.com/groups/afdcs, and view their YouTube Channel, youtube.com/@afdcsamericanfirstdaycover367.

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.

Chicago Club Donates $5K to Boston 2026

Posted on by
Reply

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
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.

Wade Saadi, 1949 – 2025

Posted on by
3

Former American Philatelic Society president Wade Saadi has passed away at the age of 76 after a long illness. The announcement was made by the Collectors Club at the start of an online presentation.

He listed himself on Linked In as an ” Independent Nanotechnology Professional” and president of Pencom Systems for more than 52 years. The firm recruited high-technology and scientific professionals with an emphasis on the financial services industry in the New York City area.

Saadi was president of the APS from 2008, when he succeeded Nicholas Carter, who had died in office. He was then elected to two full terms in his own right. He was also president of World Stamp Show-NY 2016, which after it closed donated $700,000 to other philatelic organizations, including its success U.S. “international,” Boston 2026.

“The biggest challenge was whether the show would make money, because yiou have to make commitments six or seven years before [the show],” he told Linn’s Stamp News for its Most Influential Philatelists. “It was all a bit nerve-wracking.”

He also served on the boards of the Smithsonian National Postal Museum and the Philatelic Foundation.

An exhibitor and researcher of early U.S. issues and then fancy cancels, Saadi was the recipient of the APS’ Luff Award for Outstanding Service to the Society in 2017, the Collectors Club’s Lichtenstein Award in 2015, and many other honors. His exhibits won many international gold medals.

Despite his illness, he attended Great American Stamp Show this past summer.

AFDCS Chooses BALPEX for Its 2026 Convention

Posted on by
Reply

[press release]
AFDCS Chooses BALPEX for Its 2026 Convention

The American First Day Cover Society, the world’s largest not-for-profit FDC collecting organization, will hold its Americover 2026 exhibition and annual convention in conjunction with BALPEX 2026, the Maryland World Series of Philately show. The dates are August 7-9, at the BWI Airport Marriott Hotel in Linthicum Heights, Md.

For the past four years, Americover has been part of Great American Stamp Show, of which the AFDCS is a co-sponsor with the American Philatelic Society and American Topical Association. However, “GASS” will not be held in 2026 because of the Boston 2026 international exhibition and the AFDCS decided it wanted to continue its streak of 71 consecutive annual conventions.

That means the hotel will be hosting two WSP exhibitions that weekend, BALPEX’s and Americover. A single jury will judge both.

The Baltimore Philatelic Society has sponsored the BALPEX show and exhibition since the 1930s. Its 2017 Grand Award exhibit, “Colonial Central America” by James Mazepa, won the APS Champion of Champions competition for that year. The BWI Airport Marriott has a free shuttle from the airport and there is a free shuttle from the Amtrak BWI station to the airport.

From 1993 to 2019, the AFDCS held Americover as an independent show at locations around the country. It became a World Series of Philately exhibition in 2005. Although it will have a booth, meetings and seminars at Boston 2026, “we felt holding Americover at BALPEX would be a better fit for us than the International,” said AFDCS president Lloyd A. de Vries.

“We are happy to have the AFDCS join us for BALPEX 2026, and look forward to a great show,” said Richard Taschenberg, BALPEX exhibits chairman and program coordinator.

The American First Day Cover Society is a not-for-profit educational organization. It publishes its bimonthly award-winning journal First Days as well as handbooks and catalogues and maintains a YouTube channel. The AFDCS also promotes the collecting of both modern and “classic” issues and cachets, as well as exhibiting FDCs. It offers awards for outstanding first day cover exhibits and an annual contest for cachetmakers, and is a co-host of the annual Great American Stamp Show.

For more information about the AFDCS, visit www.afdcs.org, e-mail afdcs@afdcs.org or write the AFDCS at Post Office Box 57, Somerset, WI 54025-0057.

New Boston 2026 Exhibiting Rules

Posted on by
Reply

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
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.

Ask USPS at Great American Stamp Show 2025

Posted on by
Reply

Have a question for the U.S. Postal Service’s Stamp Services division? The American First Day Cover Society is again sponsoring two seminars with Stamp Services at Great American Stamp Show 2025, August 14-17. One, on Thursday at 1 pm, is an overview of Stamp Services: What goes into deciding which stamps the USPS will issue and how. The other, on Friday at 2 pm, is with Stamp Fulfillment Services — sales, production, and cancellations, among other functions.

To make sure they have the answers ready, the USPS has asked me to ask you in advance: What do you want to know? What isn’t working for you? And (of course) what do you like about what Stamp Services does.

Similar to last year’s seminars, I will moderate and ask most of the questions during the seminars, hopefully with your input. So: Post your questions and comments here.

— Lloyd de Vries