Management Alert: Emerging Counterfeit Label Trend
Introduction
This management alert presents issues the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General identified during the Counterfeit Postage Program audit. Our objective is to promptly notify the U.S. Postal Service about an identified deficiency in the detection of counterfeit package labels.
Background
The Postal Service is a self-funded entity that primarily finances its operations through postage sales, with package delivery comprising a major portion of its services. During fiscal year 2025, the Postal Service shipped 6.8 billion packages, generating $32.6 billion in revenue. The Postal Service offers both domestic and international shipping services for purchase through multiple channels, including third party vendors, its Click-N-Ship online service, and over the retail counter at local post offices. Foreign postal operators also sell shipping labels for packages that are shipped from other countries and are sent to the United States.