Major change to postal service coming as traditional stamps due to be scrapped in weeksUK NEWS TO DAY

Royal Mail is introducing a massive change to the way people pay for mail, with traditional stamps set to be phased out within weeks. Traditional stamps are being replaced by new stamps with a barcode.

Traditional stamps – which have been used for more than five decades – will no longer be valid from the end of January. People have been warned that the old stamps will no longer be usable after January 31, meaning people will only have four weeks to exchange them for the new type.

Shops and post offices are already selling the new stamps, which are provided with a QR barcode. They will continue to show an image of Queen Elizabeth II for now, until a new version featuring King Charles is launched.

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The added security of the barcodes will allow postal workers to scan stamps while creating a digital footprint that will be useful to customers using the Royal Mail app. While ‘everyday’ stamps will have these barcodes, commemorative and Christmas stamps will not.

Royal Mail said: “The move is part of the company’s extensive and ongoing modernization drive and will enable the unique barcodes to facilitate operational efficiencies, enable the introduction of additional security features and pave the way for innovative services for customers.”

People who still have the old stamps are advised to use them up before the January deadline, or exchange them for new barcoded ones. Post offices cannot trade the stamps, but the Royal Mail has set up a Stamp Swap Out scheme that allows customers to complete and return a form using the old stamps.

A form can be printed at home. Customers can redeem up to £200 worth of non-barcoded stamps. The form can be sent free of charge by writing ‘Freepost SWAP OUT’ on the envelope.

However, if you need to exchange stamps for more than £200, you can use the Bulk Stamp Swap Out form which the company recommends sending via a secure service. The preferred address is:

Royal mail

To exchange

Tallent’s house

21 South Gyle Crescent

EDINBURGH

EH12 9PB

If you don’t have a printer available, you can sign a form online to have a Stamp Swap Out form mailed to your home. Otherwise you can call the Customer Experience Team on 03457 740740.

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