Just TWO DAYS to use stamps without barcodes before they become invalid

Royal Mail has said that it will it try to ensure people have their new stamps within seven working days through its Swap Out scheme, introduced earlier this year

Brits have just two days to use stamps without barcodes before they become invalid amid Royal Mail changes.

Old-style stamps will be useless from Tuesday August 1 and so letters will be treated as if there is insufficient postage and a surcharge will be due. They can be exchanged for free in the Royal Mail’s Swap Out scheme but this process is a lot more convoluted than simply taking them along to a Post Office.

It involves a form which can be collected at the counter – or printed out from Royal Mail’s website. Consumers must complete it and then send it off, along with the stamps, to a freepost address.

Although Royal Mail has said that it will it try to ensure people have their new stamps “within seven working days”, many customers have complained of long delays. There are also different forms for stamps worth less than and more than £200 in total. Christmas stamps and other special stamps with pictures on will remain valid without a barcode.

The company introduced a six-month period of grace from the initial January 31 deadline to give customers even longer to use up their old, non-barcoded stamps. On its website, Royal Mail says: “The move is part of the Company’s extensive and ongoing modernisation drive.”

They added that it “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.” Further details about the changes can be read on the company’s website, which urges customer to download the app.

What happens if I use an old stamp after July 31?

After this date, Royal Mail will treat any post sent with non-barcoded stamps as having insufficient postage. This means you may need to pay a fee. For example, sending a letter or large letter currently incurs a £1.50 fee if there is insufficient postage paid. Where no postage has been paid at all on a regular sized or large letter, there is a £2.50 fine.