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Sweden Replacing Stamps with SMS System

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Sweden is going to replace stamps with handwritten codes that you obtain via SMS.

Stamp collecting is about to get a whole lot more interesting as Sweden has just announced a system that could eliminate the stamp altogether. TIME magazine reports that the Swedish postal service, Posten AB, is looking to launch a system that would see people pay for postage for letters and packages via text message.

The system, not expected to be in operation before the summer, will apply to packages and letters weighing under 4.4 pounds, or 2 kilograms. It's unclear whether Sweden has plans to implement a similar system for larger packages. People will have to text the postal service to pay for their postage and will receive a code that they're then supposed to write on their parcel or letter.

Denmark is also looking to put a similar system in place and will begin testing it out in just a couple of weeks, on April 1.

20 Comments Comment from the forums
  • elcentral 10 March 2011 09:28
    i live in sweden and this is news to me 0.o.
    okey no more stamps now if only we culd use i dont know lets say E-mail an invention done 30 years ago
    Reply
  • ricardok 10 March 2011 09:30
    Sure, send out packages around the globe with emails..
    Reply
  • elcentral 10 March 2011 09:33
    yes i do understand you might like to send an object frue the postal service,
    but the main form of billing and paiments are still in sweden done by papper.
    Reply
  • 10 March 2011 09:37
    What is wrong with stamps? Now we would need someone to verify the code instead of just stamp -> done. Also some people have messy writing.
    Reply
  • eddieroolz 10 March 2011 10:20
    Future Swedish stamp collectors will be scouring for SMSes :D
    Reply
  • okibrian 10 March 2011 11:12
    On April 1st you say. April fools maybe????
    Reply
  • papaswedine 10 March 2011 11:21
    what about people without cell phones? a lot of poor people don't have them and that's primarily the people that will be trying to send notes/letters/postcards through the mail?!?!?!
    Reply
  • Marco925 10 March 2011 12:29
    Poor people in Europe can afford Cell phones, they're cheap. Landlines are expensive there.

    Reply
  • sharpless78 10 March 2011 13:35
    Marco925Poor people in Europe can afford Cell phones, they're cheap. Landlines are expensive there.
    It will only be an alternative method for paying, there will still be stamps.
    Reply
  • vinnywong 10 March 2011 14:20
    What a great idea to save trees! I wish we have them in US. Why are we so behind in innovative technology?
    Although I have used a single for a year now. All my bills are paid online.
    Reply