The mailing machine and a method of initializing it are based on an unremovable program memory, which contains an initialization program. A removable authorization device is operationally connected to the mailing machine and is designed such that it can be interrogated. The interrogation is performed before and during the initialization of the mailing machine with predetermined INIT data. A security module connected to the program memory serves for checking the authorization and can prevent initialization without authorization. The initialization of the mailing machine takes place at the goods receiving location in the destination country by switching into an initialization mode, authorization of the initialization by means of the authorization device, input of initialization data and ending of the initialization and cancellation of the authorization.