Early mails
The first post office in the region was opened in Dubai in 1909. Dubai had one post office which was Indian in origin, under the Sind circle, and opened on 19 August 1909. Until 1947, Indian stamps were in use and are distinguished by the cancellation “Dubai Persian Gulf”. Pakistani stamps were used until 31 March 1948.
In Abu Dhabi, an agency was opened on Das Island in December 1960 and in Abu Dhabi City on 30 March 1963, using British agency stamps issued in Muscat. The Trucial States stamps were not used in Abu Dhabi.
As each emirate took over its own postal administration, the offices closed: Dubai on 14 June 1963; Abu Dhabi on 29 March 1964.
The northern emirates proceeded to issue a number of editions of stamps intended for the collector’s market – particularly Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Sharjah. Known today as Dunes, they are colourful and virtually worthless.
Nowadays the United Arab Emirates produce high quality stamps featuring relevant themes of the UAE’s society.
First Emirati stamps
The UAE issued its first Federal stamps on 1 January 1973. Before then, the individual emirates issued their own stamps.
Postcards (Greeting Cards)
Issued for special occasions in limited quantities. They are available in the Philatelic bureaus and online in the Web Shop. A greeting or a message is written directly on it to be sent by mail.
Link to buy the Postcards: https://www.emiratespostshop.ae/product/our-identity/
