Birth of a Stamp

Birth of a Stamp

Birth of a Stamp

Hongkong Post issues around twelve sets of interesting and beautiful stamps every year. They cover a wide range of themes and designs which attract great interest of stamp collectors and general public.

While appreciating the stamps, have you ever thought of the processes they have gone through, from development of design concept to official issue?

As it normally takes 18 months for the design and production of a stamp, Hongkong Post invites suggestions on stamp themes starting from January every year for the issues 2 years after from district boards, government departments and related organisations such as Hong Kong Tourism Board, universities, etc. Members of the public could also submit proposals to the Postmaster General from time to time. The suggested themes will be discussed and considered by the Stamp Advisory Committee (SAC).

The Stamp Advisory Committee

The SAC is chaired by the Postmaster General and comprises twelve members from the following categories:

They represent a reasonably broad cross-section of Hong Kong so that there will be a balanced view on selection of stamp themes and designs. Committee members are appointed for a two-year term, subject to a maximum of three consecutive appointments in general.

The themes selected by the SAC will be submitted for approval by the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs.  Hongkong Post will then commission designers to submit designs on each theme for the selection by the SAC.  With the final approval of the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Hongkong Post will proceed to arrange for stamp printing.

As stamp is similar to monetary note, printing has to be undertaken by a security printer.  Printers that have manufactured stamps for Hong Kong include leading security printers located in Chinese Mainland, France, the Netherlands, New Zealand... etc.

Functions of the Stamp Advisory Committee

The Stamp Advisory Committee (SAC) is to advise the Postmaster General on:

Members of the current Stamp Advisory Committee are:

Ex-officio

Role Name
Chairman Miss TAI Shuk Yiu, Leonia, JP
Member Representative from the Civil Service Bureau
Representative from the Home Affairs Bureau
Secretary & Contact with SAC Ms. HUNG Wing Che, Penny
General Manager, Stamps and Philately
Hongkong Post
4/F., Hongkong Post Building
8 Wang Kee Street
Kowloon Bay
Hong Kong  
Tel : 2921 2275
Fax : 3741 0735
Email : penny_hung@hkpo.gov.hk

Non-government representatives

Role Name
Member Mr. SUN Hon-chiu
Professor TAM Wai-ping  Lukas
Mr. HO Dave
Mrs. HO POON Chi-yan, Stephanie
Hon Joephy CHAN Wing-yan
Co-opted Member Dr. YANG Kyo
Mr. LEE Chin-fai, Danny
Miss LEE Yan-kwan
Dr. Cheung Kwai-king
Mr. Lee Cheong-wai


Attendance of Members of Stamp Advisory Committee Meeting
2.9.2025
Chairman: Miss TAI Shuk-yiu, Leonia, JP present
Members: Representative from the Civil Service Bureau present
Representative from the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau present
Mr. SUN  Hon-chiu present
Professor  TAM Wai-ping, Lukas present
Mr. HO  Dave present
Mrs. HO POON Chi-yan, Stephanie present
Hon CHAN Wing-yan, Joephy present
Co-opted Member: Dr. YANG Kyo present
Mr. LEE Chin-fai, Danny present
Ms.  LEE Yan-kwan present
Dr. CHEUNG Kwai-king present
Mr. LEE Cheong-wai present
Secretary: Ms. TANG Bik-yi, Peggy present

present - present

absent with apologies - absent with apologies


Agenda for SAC Meeting

2 September 2025 (Tuesday) at 3:00pm in Conference Room, 7/F, Hongkong Post Building, 8 Wang Kee Street, Kowloon Bay

  1. Matters arising

    1.1 Report on Zoom Meeting held on 6 August 2025

  2. New items

    2.1 Design Brief for 2026
    2.2 Stamp Designs for 2026
    2.3 Stamp Theme for 2026

  3. Any Other Business