Posti is making changes to the stamping of letters and postcards with a special postmark. Manual stamping with a special postmark will be discontinued on May 31, 2023. In the future, items will be stamped mechanically with a regular postmark.
Of the special postmarks, only the special postmark of Santa Claus’ Main Post Office in Rovaniemi will remain in use.
Special postmarks have been official postmarks designed for a specific place or event that have been stamped on letters and cards dropped off in a special postmark box. There are special postmark boxes at approximately 20 locations around Finland.
The handling and stamping of letter items has become mechanical. Special postmarks are being discontinued because manual stamping has slowed down the items and it has not always been possible to deliver them on the promised delivery schedule. The volume of letter items has decreased sharply, which is why the need for special postmarks has also been low.
Instead of special postmarks, Posti recommends a side postmark with which items can be stamped. However, the side postmark may not be used to void the postage fee, which means that it must be stamped next to the postage stamp. Items stamped with a side postmark must be submitted to Posti for delivery in the same way as normal postal items.