On the occasion of East Timor's independence on May, 20, 2002, a total of 6 stamps were issued. Four of the stamps were printed and provided by the Australian Postal Services. Two other stamps were printed in France in connection with the Afinsa philatelic agency. The legality of the two stamps was disputed for some time. While East Timor's Minister of Transport and Communications , Ovidio do Amaral, negated the validity of the stamps, Afinsa was able to produce a contract signed by East Timor's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Jose Ramos-Horta.

The contract legitimized Afinsa to have corresponding stamps printed and distributed and also to make them available to East Timor for franking. However, the contract was dated June 6, 2002. In this respect, the stamps were valid for franking, but only from the date of the signing of the contract. In addition, also on May 20, 2002, the 3 UN administrations (New York, Geneva and Vienna) issued two stamps each commemorating the event.

Afinsa stamps

FDC with Afinsa stamps

Stamps from Australia Postal Services

UN stamps