Taiwan — Stamps & Postal Service

Postal Service Overview

Chunghwa Post (中華郵政) is Taiwan’s national postal operator, operating under the name “Republic of China Post” in official contexts. Taiwan (Republic of China) has maintained a separate stamp-issuing administration since the Nationalist government relocated from mainland China to Taiwan in 1949. Taiwanese stamps are a popular collecting area, particularly for their reproduction of classical Chinese art, traditional culture, and natural wildlife. Taiwan’s stamps are listed in standard catalogues as “China (Republic)” or “Formosa” depending on the period.

Notable Stamp Issues

Taiwan’s post-1949 stamps began with the Flying Geese definitives, establishing a separate Taiwanese philatelic identity from the PRC. The Ancient Chinese Painting series, reproducing masterworks from the National Palace Museum in Taipei (one of the world’s great art museums), is among Asia’s most beautiful stamp programmes. Chinese New Year stamps from Taiwan (dating from 1950) parallel the PRC series. Wildlife stamps featuring the Formosan black bear, Taiwan blue magpie, and Mikado pheasant are distinctive. The 1980s–1990s definitives featuring traditional Chinese culture are widely collected.

Collecting Tips

Scott Asia catalogue lists Taiwan stamps as “China (Republic).” Taiwan and PRC stamps are entirely distinct collecting areas — do not confuse them. Taiwan’s art stamps reproducing National Palace Museum paintings are popular with art thematic collectors. New Year zodiac stamps run parallel to PRC issues — both series from 1950 can be collected as a matched set. Taiwan’s aboriginal culture (Austronesian peoples of the island) appears on some stamps — a unique thematic subject. Butterfly stamps from Taiwan are outstanding.

Part of the Asia Postal Directory.