The Universal Postal Union (UPU) is rolling out a new AI-based philatelic tool, which is set to revolutionize stamp collecting globally, while enabling postal operators to protect revenues and combat counterfeiting. The World Association for the Development of Philately Numbering System (WNS) mobile application provides stamp collectors, posts, and even customs agents with a powerful smartphone application that is transforming the way stamps are identified, catalogued, and protected.
According to Benjamin Combes, Manager of the UPU’s Philately Development and Documentary Heritage Programme, the free-to-download WNS app is not only a step forward for the philatelic community but also a key tool for driving revenue within the postal sector. “The app provides a new tool to fight against counterfeiting, to rebuild trust between the posts and the public/collectors, and to make the data/information about stamps available to all,” he said.
A new era for philately
For collectors, the WNS app provides an easy and reliable way to identify stamps from a growing database that currently includes more than 120,000 stamps, all verified and sourced directly from the postal authorities that issue them. “Before the app, identifying a stamp required catalogues, magnifying glasses, and often a lot of time and effort. With the WNS app, users can scan a stamp using their smartphone and have all the relevant information in seconds,” said Combes. “This is an incredible leap forward, and for collectors, it’s a game-changer.”
The app, which was developed in collaboration with Deutsche Post subsidiary Pixo Analytics GmbH, functions as a mobile extension of the WNS website, which has been UPU’s authoritative stamp database since its inception in 2002. Now, using AI technology, collectors can upload a photo of any stamp, and the app will quickly match it with the detailed metadata in the database, including features like perforation patterns, paper type, and stamp size. The result is an instant, accurate identification of the stamp, making the process of identifying and verifying stamps more efficient than ever before.
Combating counterfeiting
For postal operators, the WNS app serves as a vital tool in the fight against stamp counterfeiting, a growing issue that costs the postal sector millions of dollars annually. “Counterfeiting is a major issue for the postal world, and the WNS app adds another layer of protection against forgeries,” Combes explained. The AI-powered authentication system allows customs, postal security and law enforcement agents to cross-check stamps against the WNS database to verify their authenticity, using features such as design, colour, size and other security characteristics. This functionality is critical for postal operators looking to protect their revenue and reduce fraud.
The app also supports customs agents and law enforcement in identifying counterfeit stamps, providing a simple yet effective solution to a problem that can have widespread financial consequences. Combes stressed that the app allows customs agents to verify stamps during their routine inspections, reducing the number of calls they need to make to the postal authorities. “For posts, this app is the perfect solution. It allows them to be proactive in supporting customs and reducing the need for constant interaction with regulators,” he added.
Unlocking new revenue streams
The WNS app also offers postal operators a unique opportunity to promote their products globally. Traditionally, posts have struggled to market their stamps internationally, but the WNS database changes that by offering worldwide visibility at no additional cost. “The app makes stamps accessible to collectors and the public across the globe in a matter of seconds. Posts can promote their products to a global audience without spending significant amounts of money on advertising,” Combes noted.
For postal operators, the WNS app offers an additional benefit: it enables posts to tap into the global philatelic market. “Stamps are one of the most collectible items in the world, and posts have a significant opportunity to generate revenue from collectors both domestically and internationally,” said Combes. “Selling stamps to collectors, especially those abroad, is a way for posts to generate revenue from products that will never be used for postage.”
The app’s integration with the WNS database allows posts to directly showcase their stamp collections to the world, giving them a platform to promote and sell their products without incurring the high costs of international marketing campaigns. By making stamps visible in the WNS app, posts can directly reach collectors, hobbyists, and investors worldwide. Moreover, the app’s inclusion of e-commerce links means users can easily purchase stamps they discover through the app, creating a seamless connection between discovery and transaction.
Appealing to a younger generation
One of the most exciting aspects of the WNS app, according to Combes, is its potential to attract a younger audience to the world of philately. “We know that every customer under the age of 20, if it’s not on their smartphone, it doesn’t exist for them,” Combes said. By bringing stamp collecting into the digital age, the WNS app makes it more accessible to a younger generation that may not have been previously interested in traditional stamp collecting.
In addition, the UPU plans to incorporate features that will further enhance the app's appeal to younger users. For example, Combes hinted at future updates that will enable users to share their favourite stamps directly on social media. “This will allow users to not only discover new stamps but also engage with their networks, sparking more interest in stamp collecting,” he added.
The future of the WNS app
While the current version of the WNS app is already a major improvement over the previous web-based platform, Combes emphasized that this is only the beginning. “This is WNS 2.0, and there’s much more to come,” he explained. Soon, the app will support additional languages, making it accessible to users in every country. The team has also started to engage in discussions with the secondary market stakeholders to explore ways of introducing features that would enable users to track the real-time value of their stamps – helping collectors identify rare and valuable items in their collections.
Looking further ahead, Combes sees the app evolving into an essential tool for not only collectors and postal operators but also e-commerce platforms. “We are considering the opportunity to develop a digital interface, known as an API, that would help e-commerce platforms – including the largest online marketplaces – to filter out counterfeit stamps and ensure that only genuine products are being sold,” he explained.
The power of cooperation
At its core, the WNS app is about cooperation, Combes noted. “The UPU is based on cooperation, and the WNS app embodies that principle. Every post that participates in the WNS system is not only promoting their own stamps but also indirectly promoting stamps from other countries. It’s a global cooperative effort that benefits everyone.”
Through the WNS app, postal operators can protect their revenue, promote their products globally, and engage a new generation of collectors. By leveraging the power of cooperation and technology, the WNS app is poised to be a game-changer for the philatelic postal sector, helping posts worldwide drive revenue and reduce the risks associated with counterfeiting.
“WNS 2.0 is just the beginning. We’re building a platform that will continue to evolve and provide even more value for postal operators and collectors alike,” Combes concluded.
This article first appeared in Union Postale Summer 2025