How To Buy Postage Stamps Without Going Post Office

If you hate waiting in line at the post office to buy stamps, you're not alone. The good news is that there are now many ways to buy stamps that don't even require you to make a special trip to the United States Postal Service (USPS) office. Whether you'd like to buy stamps online, directly from your mail carrier, or while you're out running errands, it's easy to make your purchase.

Purchasing Stamps Online


1. Go to usps.com. Visit https://www.usps.com/ from any browser.

2. Sign in or register. If you already have an account on USPS, sign in at the top right-hand screen. If not, you'll need to create or register an account.

• To register, select "sign up". You'll need to provide shipping information and create a password.

3. Sign in or register. If you already have an account on USPS, sign in at the top right-hand screen. If not, you'll need to create or register an account.

• To register, select "sign up". You'll need to provide shipping information and create a password.

4. Click "Buy Stamps". From here, you'll need to select the style of stamp you want. Once you've clicked on the stamp style you like, you'll need to select the quantity and possibly the format you want.

• For example, some stamps will allow you to purchase sheets or blocks of stamps.

5. Add your stamps to your online cart. Once you've entered the details about the stamps you'd like to purchase, simply add them to your cart.

6. Click on checkout. When you're finished shopping, select "checkout" and follow the payment prompts. You'll need to use a credit card, although a debit card may be used and processed like a credit card if it has a VISA or MasterCard logo.^[1]

• VISA, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover cards are accepted if a PIN is not required. At this time, you cannot use PayPal to purchase stamps.

Printing Postage Online

1. Go to usps.com. Visit https://www.usps.com/ from any browser.

2. Sign in or register. If you already have an account on USPS, sign in at the top right-hand screen. If not, you'll need to create or register an account.

• To register, select "sign up". You'll need to provide shipping information and create a password.

3. Click on the Mail and Ship heading. This should be one of the first options you see when you're on USPS's landing page.

4. Click "Print and Ship". From here, you'll have to create a shipping label by filling out the mailing address and destination address. You'll also need to select when you're mailing the package, whether or not it's flat rate (if not, provide the measurements), the value, and what kind of mailing service you want.

• You'll be able to select notification preferences about tracking, receipts, and delivery notifications.

5. Select a service type. This will allow you to see delivery options and prices. Take note of the packaging sizes, as your parcel must match the delivery option and price you've selected.

6. Choose a delivery option. Select a package size/delivery option/price and click "Add to Cart".

7. Click on checkout. When you're finished shopping, select "checkout" and follow the payment prompts. You'll need to use a credit card, although a debit card may be used and processed like a credit card if it has a VISA or MasterCard logo.^[3]

• VISA, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover cards are accepted if a PIN is not required. At this time, you cannot use PayPal to purchase postage.