EXPERTIZATION/IDENTIFICATION PROCEDURE

The China Stamp Society, Inc., began expertizing stamps in 1999. Non-members may submit items. CSS members and ASDA members receive a 10% reduction in the fees.

Two levels of evaluation are available: (1) a "Certificate," which attest to genuineness and whether or not the item has been altered or repaired; or (2) "Identification," which provides a letter or email stating what an item purports to be, without reaching an opinion as to its genuineness.

Neither the CSS nor any Committee member is in any way liable for consequences of the opinions rendered. Although the Committee will always use its best efforts to arrive at an opinion, there will be those instances in which the Committee is unable to arrive at a consensus and will be forced to decline to render an opinion. Under no circumstances will the Committee sign or in any way deface an item that has been submitted. The CSS only provides insurance for items after they have been received, while they are in the possession of the expertization Committee or in transit between Committee members, and while in transit back to the owner, and then only for the fair market value, not to exceed the Declared Value.

Specimen Certificate

View or print the Submission Procedure

View or print the Submission Form
The Submission Proedure and Submission Form are downloadable PDF documents. Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to open these files. Adobe Acrobat is a free download.
Email the Expertization Committee Chairman with any questions.
  1. Each stamp, pair, block or postal history item must be affixed to a separate form. Stamps in a set must be individually submitted on separate forms.
  2. The person submitting an item must be the owner or a representative of the owner.
  3. The proper fee must accompany each item submitted.
  4. Insurance against loss, and risk of loss, while in transit to the CSS is the responsibility of the owner.
  5. Used stamps and stamps without gum must be thoroughly cleaned of all hinges or paper remnants.
  6. No opinions will be expressed as to the market value of an item.
  7. The decisions rendered by the Committee are only opinions and are not guarantees.
  8. Defects and alterations will be noted. No opinion as to centering or grading will be given.
  9. The CSS reserves the right to make such changes, with or without notice, to these rules and regulations, as it deems necessary. The request for an examination constitutes an acceptance of all rules and regulations.
  10. Since items are submitted to Committee members by mail, delays are sometimes experienced. No item will be accepted if the owner insists upon a deadline date for its return.
  11. Certificates remain the property of the CSS.
  12. Any person who attempts to influence a decision of the Committee may be expelled from the CSS. No one is to communicate with Committee members regarding an opinion expressed or to be expressed; all communication must be with the Committee Chairman.
  13. Fees shall be in accordance with the following schedule:
    Declared Value *: Certificate Fee: Member Identification Fee: Non-member Identification Fee:
    $500 or less $30 $4 $5
    $501 to $1,000 $40 $4 $5
    $1,001 and above 4% $4 $5
    Maximum Fee $200 $4 $5
    Covers (add to base fee) + $5    
    * The Declared Value is the catalogue value, a recent auction realization, or a bona fide estimate of the fair market value.

    CSS Members and ASDA members receive a 10% reduction in the fees. There are no refunds of fees, unless the Committee is unable to reach an opinion, in which case a $20 administrative fee will be deducted from the refund.
IDENTIFICATION

Identification can often be based upon a good quality scan emailed to the Expertization Committee Chairman. You should first email a scan in lieu of mailing an item for identification.

Email a scan to the Expertization Committee Chairman


REFERENCE COLLECTION

You are encouraged to donate forgeries to the CSS reference collection. The CSS will provide a letter acknowledging the donation for tax purposes.


ADDITIONAL EXPERTS NEEDED

The Committee is always looking for persons to volunteer to serve as experts. Additional experts are presently needed for early Republic of China issues and Peoples Republic of China stamps and souvenir sheets.

Email the Expertization Committee Chairman


OPINION WITHDRAWAN BY THE EXPERTIZATION COMMITTEE
The Expertization Committee withdrew its opinion No. CSS-082 issued to Michael Rogers, Inc., on May 3, 2002. The committee has revised its opinion and now concludes that the small 4¢ Red Revenue, Scott No. 81, has an altered surcharge.