Ensuring the needs of the present without compromising those of the future CTT – Correios de Portugal is particularly keen on sustainability as a strategy to reduce the negative environmental impact resulting from its commercial activities. If sustainability is important for most companies, then the case of CTT as a postal operator is a particularly good example, with around 13,000 workers and 4,000 vehicles traveling more than 66 million kilometres per year.
In 2023 Correios de Portugal has dedicated the second series of ‘Etiquetas de Franquia Automática’ (as they call this type of variable value stamp) to showcase its sustainability strategy through three illustrations by the graphic designer Luís Taklim; ‘Compromisso ambiental’ or environmental commitment, by the use of electric vehicles; ‘Compromisso de proximidade’ or relationship commitment, by demonstrating social and environmental responsibility; and ‘Compromisso social’ or social commitment, by maximising the positive impact on the community via one of the largest network of contacts throughout the country.
The rolls of self-adhesive labels printed in offset were manufactured by the Portuguese company Copidata, S.A. The size of the label is 55 x 30 mm with all labels having a preprinted control number on the back of the silicone coated backing paper showing the stamps issued from that roll.
This new series was gradually available from October 9th 2023, from the approximately 40 Newvision postal kiosks still in operation at post offices throughout the country.
The basic sets are made up of the main postal rates programmed at the kiosks on the date of issue (right picture), four values for non-priority mail or Correio Normal (0.61 – 0.90 – 1.05 – 1.15 €) and two for priority mail or CORREIO AZUL (0.80 – 4.00 €), as per the table below.
Stamps with other postal tariffs, corresponding to the different tariff zones and weight steps, are available from the Newvision E-Post 2000 M postal kiosks, with the larger colour screen.
Official / Pictorial first day cover with the four-value set for normal mail, on one of the designs, and Lisbon special postmark.
(English edition rewritten by J. Gareze – August 2024)