HK to release giant panda commemorative stamps on Dec. 12: Official first day covers available today

Hongkong Post announced today (Nov. 28) that a special stamp sheetlet and related philatelic items themed "Welcome Giant Pandas" will be released on Dec. 12. The announcement coincides with Chief Executive John Lee's recent statement that the giant pandas debut ceremony will be held on Dec. 7, with the pandas officially meeting the public on Dec. 8 at Ocean Park.

Starting today, official first day covers for the "Welcome Giant Pandas" series are available for purchase. The stamp sheetlet and associated philatelic products will be available from Dec. 12 in all post offices and through the Hongkong Post online shop, "ShopThruPost."

Items such as postage prepaid picture cards (air mail) and serviced first day covers affixed with the stamp sheetlet will be available at philatelic offices only.

Key Highlights:

-Purchase locations:

All Hong Kong post offices (offline).

Hongkong Post's official online shop "ShopThruPost" (online).

-Stamp launch services:

On Dec. 12, hand-back date-stamping services will be provided at all post offices for official first day covers/souvenir covers/privately made covers bearing the first day of issue indication and a local address.

Hongkong Post will also specially launch a "Welcome Giant Pandas" cachet from Dec. 12 for stamping by members of the public. (Designated post offices: Aberdeen Post Office, General Post Office, Sha Tin Central Post Office, Tuen Mun Central Post Office, Tsim Sha Tsui Post Office, Tsuen Wan Post Office, Kowloon Bay Post Office, and the Philatelic Gallery at Hongkong Post Headquarters.)

In addition to the stamps, panda-themed souvenirs will also be available starting Dec. 12 at the "ShopThruPost" online shop and three designated post offices (PostShop of General Post Office, Tsim Sha Tsui Post Office and Kowloon Bay Post Office).

Early-bird pre-orders for panda stamp products and souvenir sets can be made on the Hongkong Post website from Nov. 28 to Dec. 11.

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