A method of manufacturing a postage printing device that is to be registered by a registering entity having a public/private key pair. The manufacturing station has a manufacturing station public/private key pair. The method includes storing a root certificate comprising the registering entity public key signed by the registering entity private key in the postage printing device, generating a transport public/private key pair, and storing the transport private key in the postage printing device. The method also includes generating a transport certificate comprising the transport public key signed by the manufacturing station private key, and storing the transport certificate in the postage printing device, after which the postage printing device is set to a transport lock state so that it can be securely transported. Also, a method of registering a postage printing device manufactured in this manner prior to operation of the postage printing device.