In some countries special stamps have been printed to be used on the mail sent out by government departments only. But in some countries official stamps are printed separately and are different from ordinary postage stamps. Official stamps are collected by stamp collectors normally as other normal postage stamps. Any letter bearing these stamps are to be delivered directly in the hands of a person to whom it is addressed, and to no one else. Now a days this service is discontinued nearly allover the world.
Many countries have special stamps for parcel post service.
Uruguay, in addition to a general parcel issue, in 1929 issued a special triangular 'agricultural' or farmers' parcels' or 'produce stamp.s. Many countries have made, special issues to prepay postage on newspapers, journals, periodicals, and all printed matters. Some countries combine newstax with postage, and thus serve as both revenue and postage stamps. These were formerly issued by all the main line railway companies in Great Britain to pay charges on the letter handed in at station for conveyance by passenger train. They were mostly of 2d.