What is Franking machine ?

Content Update on : April 4, 2025, 8:47 a.m.

Franking machine  (फ्रैंकिंग मशीन)

• Postal franking machine is a Stamping Machine

• It is intended to stamp Impressions of dies of approved design on private and official postal articles in payment of postage and postal fees.

• A commission of 3 Percent is permitted on value of Francks used.

There are 2 types of Franking Machine.  

1. EFM (Electronic Franking Machine)

 ­­About EFM (Electronic Franking Machine)

• It is Now only for departmental use in Post Offices

• Its Impression is in red colour.

• Its Impression contains two dies.

­2. RMFM (Remotely Managed Franking Machine)

 ­­About RMFM (Remotely Managed Franking Machine system)

• India Post has launched RMFS (Remotely Managed Franking Machine system) from 16-08-2010. From 01-07-2013, only the articles franked through Digi-frank plus machine (RMFM) are accepted from private Franking Machine Users. i.e. articles with franked impressions in Red-ink should not be accepted from private users.

• RMFS is based on new technology with security features like generation of 2D barcode with frank impression and elimination of human Intervention for uploading the credit in franking machines.

• Only Indian Specific models of Franking Machines with inkjet printing technology approved by the Directorate will be used. Each franking machine shall have a unique number in the format X123456 where 'X' denotes the initials of the original Equipment Manufacturer i.e. 'F' for Francotyp Postalia, 'N' for Neopost and 'P' for Pitney Bowes and six numeric digits indicate serial number of the machine.

• Funds are secured through a special device known as Postal Security Device (PSD) which is not open to repair. There is no requirement of mechanical seals on franking machines.

• Each manufacturer of franking machines will have its own centrally located "Remotely Managed Franking Server" in India catering to the network of all its franking machines installed throughout India. All RMFs server will dial Department of Posts server three times every day for exchanging information on funds deposited, funds downloaded and uploading of reports etc in respect of their franking machines.

• The credit will be uploaded in Franking machine on its dialing to RMFS sever for the purpose. Meters will be set/reset automatically without any human intervention. The credit can be uploaded only if the same is available with RMFS server.

• Each machine have to necessarily dial its RMFS sever at least once in 30 days even if no uploading of credit is required otherwise machines will be automatically blocked and will function only after dialing RMFS sever.

• Frank impression shall be in blue color and will indicate class of article, pin code, authentication code, date of frank, mail item number, license identifier number, frank value and 2D bar code.

• Also known as the Digi Frank plus Machine.

• Impression -- Blue colour

• Its Impression contains two Meters.           

1. Ascending

2. Descending

• Its impression has combined single/2D barcode.

• Articles Franked with this machine, can be posted only in one office which is specified by the Divisional-head in the license (One post office or one RMS office).

 For being recognized valid the Impressions of Frank should consist

1. Value die

2. license die

• Use of franking machine without a valid license issued by the Head of Postal Division in which machine is located is prohibited.

• Any person wishing to use a franking machine shall apply to Head of Postal Division concerned in prescribed form through Authorized dealer.

• A license is necessary for each Franking Machine used.

 ­­Posting of Franked Articles: --

1. Can be posted at not more than Two Pos.

2. These two POs are specified by the SPO in the license.

3. If only one office of posting is desired -- This must be handed over by representative of licensee at counter of PO.

4. If licensee desired to post them at two POs --- They may be handed in either at POs and, or at a PO and a night PO.

• Franked articles will be tendered at the counter bundled in separate bundles according to the value of the Franks.

• Each consignment must be Accompanied by -- window delivery ticket for identification of licensee’s representative.

• With last dispatch of day/on closed business Hours the licensee will be required to tender at post office of posting a daily docket duly filled in, signed and dated.

• Franking Impressions recorded on postal articles should not be Interfered with in any way.

• Impressions should of Bright red colour, Clear Distinct and Should not overlap.  

• As possible impression should be at the Right-hand top corner of address side of article itself or on address wrapper or an address label firmly attached to it.

• Franking is allowed up to any amount.

• There may be more than one impression of value die, but only one impression of license die on each article.

1. Machine franked articles posted in letter boxes will be treated as Unpaid articles.
2. Unregistered article bearing Impressions of previous date shall not be accepted.
3.  Place where authorized dealers have own servicing centers with qualified + experienced staff   --   Repairs + servicing carried out at those centers in presence of Postal official deputed there for this purpose.
4. In other places -- Machine will be sent to PO where daily docket register is maintained and PO will remove license die from the machine before sent for repair.
5. The resetting of a franking machine may be done at the premises of the holder of the Machines and the machine need not be brought to post office for this purpose.
6. If any discrepancy in the meter is noticed, the licensee shall immediately stop using of the franking machine and take it to the post office for setting it right.

7. License for franking machine: ---

• Type – Three