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"2006 Hong Kong Definitive Stamps" Fact Sheet

General Information

A new set of definitive stamps featuring a wide spectrum of birds that can be found in Hong Kong will be issued on Sunday, 31 December 2006. It comprises the following 16 denominations:
Low Values: 10¢, 20¢, 50¢, $1, $1.40, $1.80, $1.90, $2, $2.40, $2.50, $3, $5
High Values: $10, $13, $20 and $50

This will be the third set of definitive stamps since the establishment of the HKSAR. In addition to the stamps, two definitive stamp souvenir sheets will also be issued: the low-value definitive stamp sheetlet ($21.80) and the high-value sheetlet ($93). A new aerogramme bearing the postage of $2.30 will also be introduced on 31 December 2006 to replace the one currently on sale.

Security Features

ITo safeguard security of the new definitive stamps, a number of security features have been adopted:

All stamps are printed on paper with multiple security fibres. The public can easily tell the genuineness by looking at the orange and green security fibres on the back of the stamps while the yellow security fibres are visible under UV light.
All stamps bear an elliptical perforation on each of the vertical.
For high-value definitive stamps, iridescent ink is printed on the denominations to give a shiny effect when the stamp is viewed at different angles. There are also micro-perforations inside the dollar sign and surrounding the denomination, and micro-text of the name of the bird is printed on the respective stamp.

Design and Printing

The stamps and aerogramme are designed by Mr. Bon KWAN. The stamps are printed in photogravure by Joh. Enschede B.V., the Netherlands, while the aerogrammes are printed by Australia Post Sprintpak.

First Day Covers and Advance Orders

Official First Day Covers for the new definitive stamps will be put on sale at all post offices at $1 each for small-sized covers and $2 each for large-sized covers as from 11 December 2006. Advance orders for servicing self-provided First Day Covers will be accepted at all post offices from 11 to 16 December 2006. Customers may also place advance orders for special positions of new definitives at the 39 philatelic offices from 11 to 16 December 2006 and collect their orders on 31 December 2006 at their chosen post office.

Sales Arrangements for Stamps and Associated Philatelic Products
Arrangements for the sale of stamps and the associated philatelic products on 31 December 2006 are as follows:

Product	Unit Selling Price	Sales Restriction Per Queuing Customer
Mint Stamps (10¢, 20¢, 50¢, $1, $1.40, $1.80, $1.90, $2, $2.40, $2.50, $3, $5, $10, $13, $20 and $50)	10¢, 20¢, 50¢, $1, $1.40, $1.80, $1.90, $2, $2.40, $2.50, $3, $5, $10, $13, $20 and $50	10 sheets of each denominations
Souvenir Sheets Low-value Sheet: each contains a set of 12 low-value stamps High-value Sheet: each contains a set of 4 high-value stamps	Low-value Sheet: $21.80 High-value Sheet: $93	20 sheets
Presentation Packs Low-value Pack: contains a set of 12 low value stamps Full Range Pack: contains a full set of 16 stamps	Low-value Pack: $40 Full Range Pack: $150	5 packs
Prestige Definitive Stamps Booklet (contains a se-tenant stamp sheet with 12 low-value stamps)	$21.80	5 Booklets
Serviced First Day Cover affixed with a set of 12 low-value stamps and cancelled with the special postmark (only available at 39 philatelic offices on 31 December 2006)	$26.30	5 covers
Serviced First Day Cover affixed with a set of 4 high-value stamps and cancelled with the special postmark (only available at 39 philatelic offices on 31 December 2006)	$96.50	5 covers
Serviced First Day Cover affixed with a full set of 16 stamps and cancelled with the special postmark (only available at 39 philatelic offices on 31 December 2006)	$119.30	5 covers
Definitive Stamp Booklets (available at all post offices except mobile post offices from 31 December 2006 to 6 January 2007; the booklets are also available at non-post office sale outlets such as convenient stores starting from 31 December 2006, depending on the delivery schedules of the stamps agents.)	$14 (10 x $1.40 stamps) $18 (10 x $1.80 stamps) $24 (10 x $2.40 stamps) $30 (10 x $3 stamps)	5 booklets
Reel Stamps pre-packaged set of five sets of four denominations viz. $1.40, $1.80, $2.40 and $3; the design of the new reel stamps is exactly the same as that of the sheet stamps, except for its smaller size) (only available at 39 philatelic offices on 31 December 2006)	$43	5 packages
Maximum Cards (a set of 4 maximum cards each affixed with a stamp ($1.40, $2.40, $3 and $5) on the picture side of the card cancelled with the special postmark)(only available at 39 philatelic offices on 31 December 2006)	$34.30	5 sets

Hand-back Datestamping Arrangements

A special postmark will be introduced on 31 December 2006 to mark the first day issue of the 2006 Hong Kong Definitive Stamps. Hand-back datestamping service will be provided at all post offices (except mobile post offices) on 31 December 2006 for official and privately-made covers bearing the first day of issue indication and a local address.

In addition to the special postmark, the GPO-1 postmark, the “Philatelic Bureau” pictorial postmark and the respective philatelic office pictorial postmark will be available for hand-back datestamping service at all philatelic offices on that day.

The public hall of the Hongkong Post Philatelic Bureau will also open from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on 31 December 2006 for datestamping covers with the “Philatelic Bureau” pictorial postmark, the GPO-1 postmark and the special postmarks.

Business Hours

On Sunday, 31 December 2006, all post offices (except mobile post offices) will open from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The General Post Office, Tsim Sha Tsui and Airport post offices will maintain their normal Sunday operating hours from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Further information about this set of stamps and the associated philatelic products can be obtained from Hongkong Post Stamps website at www.hongkongpoststmaps.com, at any post office, or by calling the Hongkong Post Philatelic Bureau hotline 2785 5711.