APEX Terms

Each stamp or cover submission must be mounted or affixed to a separate form and addressed directly to the American Philatelic Expertizing Service, 100 Match Factory Place, Bellefonte, PA 16823. A coil pair, block, or multiple stamps on a cover or piece shall be considered a single item. Sets of stamps will be accepted, but each stamp must be individually mounted on a separate form. Any number of forms may be mailed in a single package or envelope.
Each item must be the bona fide property of the individual submitting it for examination.
The fee for a certificate of opinion, in accordance with the fee schedule, must accompany each item submitted unless special arrangements have been made.
One stamped addressed No. 10 (large 9½”) envelope must accompany the item(s) submitted plus one small stamped addressed envelope which will be used to acknowledge receipt by returning Owner’s Receipt of Expertizing Service form after a number has been assigned. The No. 10 envelope will be used to return the item submitted with the report of the opinion rendered. Insurance against loss in the mails both to and from the owner and the American Philatelic Building will be the responsibility of the owner.
The American Philatelic Expertizing Service reserves the right at all times to decline to examine or give an opinion on any item which may include certain coil and imperf singles. Requests for the plate position of a stamp or overprint will be addressed when possible.

Used stamps and stamps without gum must be thoroughly cleaned of all hinge or paper remnants.

Requests for the market or net value of an item will not be accepted.
A minimum $8 administrative fee will be deducted from the refund if the item is returned without an opinion following examination.
Since the meaning of the terms “superb”, “very fine”, etc., are debatable, no opinion as to centering will be given. Defects and alterations not readily apparent will be noted.
APEX does not mark or encapsulate items nor do we assign numerical grading as part of our services.
The American Philatelic Society reserves the right to make changes without notice to the rules and requirements as they deem necessary, but such changes will be announced as soon as possible.
The request for an examination constitutes an acceptance by the owner of all rules and requirements of the American Philatelic Expertizing Service.
No item will be accepted if the owner insists upon a deadline date for its return. Owners should allow 90 days before expecting a certificate. Since items are submitted to expert committee members for their opinions by mail, unavoidable delays are often experienced.

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