“An international competition class is a cost-effective way for each operator to showcase their philatelic expertise and promote their country's "made in" products worldwide.”
Open exclusively to WADP members, the competition class travels the world and is exhibited at various major international philatelic shows.
Online sales thanks to QR codes affixed by the UPU to link the visitors to your e-commerce platform!
The competition class is approved by the highest philatelic authorities, in particular by the Fédération Internationale de Philatélie (FIP).
Philatelists of all ages - whether they have prestigious collections or simply ones they are proud of - have always enjoyed sharing their passion and comparing their work with others. This naturally led to competitions, organized for collectors and individuals alike. To ensure fairness, philatelic exhibits were categorized into classes based on the nature of the collection.
In 2008, recognizing the absence of a class for modern philately and for postal administrations, the Universal Postal Union (UPU) and the Fédération Internationale de Philatélie (FIP) joined forces to create a new competition class specifically for designated operators. This initiative invited operators to compete by showcasing their latest and most creative stamp issues. The class was immediately approved by the highest philatelic authorities and judged by FIP-accredited jurors.
The inaugural competition was held in 2008 in Bucharest, Romania. Since then, the UPU Competition Class has featured at least once annually at major international exhibitions, offering a fresh and contemporary complement to traditional philatelic exhibits. It is appreciated by collectors, dealers, and the general public for its innovative and modern perspective.
For designated operators, this international platform offers a cost-effective way to demonstrate philatelic excellence and promote the cultural identity - the "made in" - of their respective countries.
From 2024 onwards, the UPU and FIP have taken a significant step forward: the 20th UPU Competition Class will be presented across four continents - Asia, South America, Europe, and North America - in a global tour throughout 2025, enhancing the visibility of modern philately like never before.
Each exhibit follows the traditional sixteen-page panel format, allowing operators to highlight key themes from their stamp programs over the past three years. Each stamp is accompanied by detailed technical information (face value, intended use, issue date, etc.).
To bring visitors closer to the participating operators, QR codes are added in the panel margins, linking directly to each operator’s e-commerce platform or official website.