In November 1921, the Karelian United Government decided to issue its own post stamps. The stamps were designed by architect Wäinö Palmqvist using the national Coat of Arms of Karelia created by the painter Akseli Gallen-Kallela.

Karelian post stamps were printed in fifteen different values from 5 pennies to 25 markkas. Each stamps with values of up to 1 markka were printed in 20,000 copies, each stamps with higher denominations – in 15,000 copies.

The stamps were used from January 31 to February 3, 1922 at the Uhta Post Office. On February 3, the Uhta Post Office was evacuated from the war zone to Finland and was still operating in Suomussalmi until February 16.

Post stamps were not valid outside of Karelia. For this reason, the postal items addressed to Finland were delivered under the Karelian stamps to Suomussalmi and then onwards with the additional Finnish stamps.