Related Articles
Royal Mail has urged customers to use up their old stamps. The postal service is urging people to use old stamps before they are swapped out for more modernised versions.
From July 31, non-barcoded definitive stamps will no longer be accepted to send postage. Royal Mail is urging customers to either use up their old stamps or risk the person receiving mail to be surcharged.
Matthew Parkes, Managing Director, Stamps and Collectibles, said: “As the 31 July deadline approaches, we are reminding customers to use-up any remaining non-barcoded stamps they may have at home or in the office. Customers can swap their non-barcoded stamps for the new barcoded version via our free and easy to use Swap Out scheme, so no customer should be out of pocket if they still have non-barcoded stamps they cannot use before 31 July.”
READ MORE Glastonbury Festival to have secret set from Britpop legends
“We’ve added barcodes to all our regular stamps,” The Royal Mail said. “Regular stamps without a barcode will no longer be valid after 31 July 2023. This follows the introduction of a 6 month grace period from the initial 31 January deadline.
“You can either use up your non-barcoded stamps before this new deadline or swap them for the new barcoded ones. The stamps that have changed are the stamps (pictured below) that will be very familiar to you.
“They feature the profile of Her Late Majesty The Queen on a plain coloured background. The barcodes will enable exciting new services by connecting physical stamps to the digital world through the Royal Mail app.”
The move is part of the modernisation drive and will allow the unique barcodes to facilitate operational efficiencies, enable the introduction of added security features and pave the way for innovative services for customers. You can pick up a ‘Swap Out’ form from your local Post Office along with a free post envelope – but the Post Office won’t be able to swap your stamps for barcoded ones.
