Royal Mail issues date traditional stamps will become invalid

STAMP OUT: Royal Mail won’t accept your 1st and 2nd class stamps from January 2023 (Photo by Royal Mail)

The most recognisable ‘everyday’ stamps featuring the Queen’s profile against a plain coloured background are set to expire in less than three months, with people advised to use up their collection before they become invalid.

Royal Mail has warned customers that they will no longer be able to use old first and second-class stamps as a new barcode system is introduced. The postal service has said that it has “reinvented” the stamp for the next generation.

To replace traditional stamps, the postal service is introducing a new barcode system that will connect the physical stamps to the digital world through the Royal Mail app. The company says this step towards modernisation will make sending letters easier and safer.

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Which stamps are affected?
The style of stamps – featuring a left-facing profile face of Her Late Majesty The Queen, will not be used after January 31, 2023. After this date, non-barcoded stamps will be treated as insufficient postage.

Only barcoded stamps with the Queen’s image on them, non-barcoded Christmas, or special collection stamps can be used.

Swapping them out
Royal Mail’s Stamp Swap Out scheme is an exchange system for people who don’t think they will be able to use the stamps before the January deadline. You can exchange your non-barcoded stamps for the new barcoded version through this scheme.

To swap out, you just need to complete a Stamp Swap Out form and send it back to Royal Mail along with your non-barcoded stamps. A step-by-step process is detailed on their website here.

Can I take my stamps to the Post Office to swap them out?
No, you can’t swap your non-barcoded stamps out at a Post Office. According to the Royal Mail website, you can only swap them by filling out the ‘Swap Out’ form and sending the non-barcoded stamps to Royal Mail via free post.

The forms are available on the Royal Mail website and can be either printed or filled out online. Alternatively, you can request the forms to be posted to you via the Royal Mail website or by calling customer services or picking one up from your local delivery offices.

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