Kiribati — Stamps & Postal Service

Postal Service Overview

Kiribati Post manages postal services in the Republic of Kiribati (pronounced “Kiribas”). Kiribati — 33 atolls spread across an area of ocean larger than the continental United States — was the Gilbert Islands portion of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands colony (which split when the Ellice Islands became Tuvalu in 1975). Kiribati gained independence in July 1979. Like Tuvalu, Kiribati faces severe threats from rising sea levels and may become uninhabitable within the century. The country straddles both the International Date Line and the equator — it is the only country in all four hemispheres.

Notable Stamp Issues

Gilbert and Ellice Islands stamps (1911–1975) are classic British Pacific colonial issues — featuring outrigger canoes, pandanus palms, and island scenes. Gilbert Islands stamps (1976–1979) form a brief separate collecting period before independence. Kiribati’s first stamps in 1979 depicted the Kiribati coat of arms and traditional canoe navigation. The country has produced outstanding stamps on te wa (traditional sailing canoe), frigate bird, Christmas Island (Kiritimati — the world’s largest atoll), and the WWII battle of Tarawa (Betio) — one of the Pacific War’s bloodiest engagements.

Collecting Tips

Stanley Gibbons Commonwealth catalogue covers all Kiribati entities. The Battle of Tarawa commemorative stamps are popular with WWII Pacific military history collectors — the island of Betio saw some of the Pacific War’s most intense fighting. Kiribati traditional canoe navigation stamps are popular with Pacific maritime heritage collectors. The frigate bird (Kiribati’s national symbol) attracts bird collectors. Climate change stamps from Kiribati are historically significant. Christmas Island (Kiritimati) stamps are sought by geography and Pacific island collectors.

Part of the Oceania Postal Directory.