Certification Policy

Scope: This policy of the American Stamp Dealers Association, Inc. is applicable to member’s retail sales of individual stamps, sets, or covers. It is expected that auction houses will have and make known their policies regarding certification.

As a minimum recommended policy, members may, at their discretion, enact policies that offer additional terms provided they are no less favorable to the buyer. As this is a recommended policy, no complaint against a member for violation of this policy may be considered by the ASDA unless the member seller has published or otherwise made known their acceptance of this policy.

Minimum recommended certification policy for retail dealers:

1. The buyer is to notify the seller, at time of purchase, that item(s) will be submitted for certification. The notice shall be in writing.

2. The buyer is to submit the item(s), after it is paid in full, to a mutually agreed upon expertising service.

3. The buyer is to notify the seller of the certification results within 90 days from date of purchase. If no notification is received by the seller, the sale is deemed final. If the certification results have not been released by the certification service within 90 days, it is within the seller's discretion to grant additional time. The request for additional time and the granting of such shall be in writing.

4. In the event of an adverse opinion due to improper identification and/or due to condition or alterations not previously mentioned by the seller, the purchase price and certification costs, upon documentation, shall be refunded by the seller to the buyer. There will be no refunds for a differing opinion based upon grading, whether numerical (e.g. 90J) or traditional (e.g. F-VF).

5. Condition is defined as the physical state of the stamp and includes, but is not limited to, thins, tears, stains, scrapes, and oxidation.

6. Alteration is defined as the process of making changes in appearance or form to enhance the value of the stamp, and includes, but is not limited to, reperfing, regumming, trimming of perforations, and altering of design.

click here for pdf