New Priority Mourning Stamp Netherlands
Postal services have adapted their operations to changing consumer behavior. Previously, “delivered the next day” was the standard for all mail, but that has now changed. On July 12, PostNL is releasing a Prio mourning stamp. With the Prio stamp, PostNL guarantees that the letter will be on the addressee's doormat the next day.
The NVPH designed a first-day cover for this special stamp.
TECHNICAL DATA
Series title Mourning Stamp Netherlands Priority
Issue date July 12, 2026
Format: sheet with 20 stamps in 1 design
Country of issue: The Netherlands
Priority Value Indicator
Indefinite sales period
indefinite validity period
Article number 460761
Edition 500.000 sheets
Stamp size 40 x 28 mm
175 x 233 mm
Design by Rutger Fuchs, Amsterdam
Colors yellow, magenta, cyan, black and blue
Normal paper with phosphor print
Self-adhesive gumming
offset printing technique
Cartor Security Printers, Wolverhampton, United Kingdom
The new mourning stamps feature Prio, intended for mourning mail up to 50 grams with a destination within the Netherlands and a delivery time of the next delivery day. The stamps can be used in combination with the new collector's envelope for mourning cards. Individual mourning cards bearing the Netherlands Prio Mourning Stamp may be handed in at the counter of PostNL Post Offices and Business Points.
Special: new rates effective on a Sunday.
PostNL faces a challenge. With priority, delivery is guaranteed the next working day (Monday-Saturday). After all, you are entitled to expect something for €3,25.
The condition is that the priority mail item is handed in at a post office/parcel point.
Nowadays, many are simply open on Sundays. So, next-working-day delivery is Monday.
There is a small problem, though: on Sundays, no packages (because those are priority shipments) are picked up from the branches.
I am very curious how PostNL is going to resolve this and fulfill the promise regarding the expensive stamp.