Thread · HN Continuity

Here in Germany, you can just print your own codes or even just write those on the envelope. You can buy these via a website.

I tend to just use one of the many late night shops doubling as a post office these days in the rare case I need to send something. Thankfully, the amount of paper arriving in my mailbox has been declining steadily. It's next to nothing at this point. Dedicated post offices are very rare now. But there are many of these late night shops doing post and packages on the side. They take your envelope, they print a label with some kind of scanable code, slap it on there, and take care of delivery.

The codes are basically short hashes that correspond to a database record confirming the correct amount was paid. Very hard to forge those.

No need to handle stamps anymore. Only for international postage.