Haiti Philatelic & Revenue Website

Haiti's Revenue Adhesives

Sometime during the year 1883, revenue adhesives made their first appearance in Haiti. These fell into four categories indicating function: Effets de Commerce, Connaissements, Droit de Transmission, and Quittances. Sometime in the mid-1920's, these four categories gave way to an all purpose revenue stamp, the Timbre Mobile. This  general purpose adhesive continues in use to this day.

During the presidencies of "Papa Doc" Duvalier (1957-1971)  and his son, "Baby Doc" (1971-1986], both Presidents for Life, any number of new stamp types were created. Generally speaking, these were intended to raise revenues for specific projects (e.g.,  health clinics, roads, the international airport, a national  health laboratory, etc.) With Baby Doc's ouster, the incoming military junta rescinded all the tax laws that created these various issues, leaving in place the Timbre Mobile. 

Home

Haiti's
Revenue Paper

1906-1928. Effets de Commerce stamp used to pay a proportional tax.

1906-1922. Droit de Transmission stamp used when paying a proportional tax.

1914. Shown at left is an Effets de Commerce stamp used to pay a proportional tax  (droit proportionnel). This issue of stamp shows the amount of transaction only, omitting the amount of tax due.

1980's. Justice stamp that appeared after the fall of Baby Doc Duvalier. Design based on earlier stamp issued during  "Papa Doc's" presidency. Used chiefly  on legal documents.

Marriage certificate form (Acte…)  that shows an exemption from tax. This is shown in two ways: the word PAYSANS means "Peasant Exemption" in this context, and there is no tax indicium at the upper left corner, but rather Haiti's coat of arms.