Macau — Stamps & Postal Service

Postal Service Overview

CTT Macau Post (澳門郵政) is Macau’s postal operator, a public institution of the Macau SAR government. Macau was a Portuguese colonial possession from 1557 and began issuing stamps in 1884 — making it one of Asia’s earliest stamp-issuing entities. Portugal handed Macau back to China on 20 December 1999 (two years after Hong Kong’s 1997 handover). The Portuguese colonial period stamps and the SAR period stamps are distinct collecting areas. Macau’s unique cultural blend — Portuguese-Chinese Lusophone Asia — is reflected in both stamp periods.

Notable Stamp Issues

Macau’s 1884 first stamps were Portuguese “Crown” type stamps overprinted “MACAO” — standard Portuguese colonial practice. The Ceres definitive series (1913–1934) used across all Portuguese territories appears in Macao variants. Portuguese colonial Macau stamps depict Guia Fortress, the Ruins of St Paul’s Cathedral, and Macau’s unique built heritage. Post-handover SAR stamps feature Chinese New Year, Macau’s casino architecture, traditional craft of filigree, and the Macau Grand Prix. The Lotus Flower (Macau’s symbol) appears on the SAR flag and stamps.

Collecting Tips

Afinsa catalogue covers Portuguese Macau; Scott Asia covers SAR Macau. Portuguese colonial Macau stamps (1884–1999) are a specialist Portuguese colonial area — collected alongside Angola, Mozambique, and other Portuguese territories. The Ceres series Macau variants are a sub-specialty of the broader Ceres collecting area. SAR Macau stamps feature gaming, Grand Prix, and Chinese cultural themes. Macau’s annual Chinese zodiac stamps run parallel to PRC and Hong Kong series. The Ruins of St Paul’s Cathedral is Macau’s most frequently depicted stamp subject.

Part of the Asia Postal Directory.