Jamaica was the first British colony to operate its own postal service, appointing Gabriel Martin as postmaster on 31 October 1671.

By the 1780s there were 20 or more post offices across the island.

The use of stamps began on 8 May 1858, with stamps of Great Britain. In 1860 first issue of Jamaican stamps consisted of five values ranging from one penny to one shilling, each with a different frame, inscribed "JAMAICA POSTAGE", and were watermarked with a pineapple design.