A metering system includes means for printing postage value. First means are coupled to the printing means for accounting for value printed by the printing means. Second means are coupled to the printing means for accounting for value printed by said printing means. Means determine which of the first and the second accounting means accounts for value printed by said printing means. The system may be arranged where the first accounting means is a smart card chip mounted internal to the metering system and the second accounting means is an external smart card. When the system is operable only one accounting system is rendered operable with priority given to the external smart card.
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