A basic knowledge of Confederate postage rates is essential in developing an understanding of Confederate postal history. Confederate postage rates include both those enacted by the Confederate Congress and some U.S. rates that were continued.
The Act of 9 February 1861 required the prepayment of postage on all mail. It also continued in force the laws of the United States that were in place on 1 November 1860 and which were not inconsistent with the Confederate Constitution. This in effect made the 1859 U. S. Postal Laws and Regulations (1859 PL&R) the laws and regulations of the Confederate Post Office Department except where Confederate legislation changed them.
The postage rate are divided into three different categories as listed below. More detailed information on rates can be found in the 2012 Confederate States of America Catalog and Handbook of Stamps and Postage History (pages 31-37).
Click on any category below for detailed rates
- Basic Rates – Letter, circular, pamphlet, waterway and international mail
- Free Mail and Prepayment Exemptions – Post Office, congressional and soldier’s mail
- Additional Services – Advertised, forwarded, missent, and way letters; private and Trans-Mississippi Express Mail