Royal Mail old stamps deadline has passed, what will happen if you use them now?

STAMP OUT: Non-barcoded everyday stamps – those with the Queen’s profile on – have become worthless (Image: PA)

As August rolls in, a significant change in the world of letters might leave many unsuspecting senders and recipients scratching their heads. In January 2023, Royal Mail announced its plan to bid adieu to the familiar everyday stamps featuring the Queen’s profile, replacing them with barcoded versions.

The original deadline of January 31 was extended to July 31, 2023, granting customers more time to adjust to the transition. However, as the calendar flips to August 1, the everyday stamps without barcodes have officially become obsolete.

What’s more, anyone on the receiving end of mail bearing these stamps will find themselves charged a fixed fee of £1.10 to retrieve their mail. Where no postage has been paid at all on a regular-sized or large letter, there is a £2.50 fine.

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Those receiving mail sent using non-barcoded stamps will be given a “Fee to Pay”‘ card telling them they must pay the surcharge. Payment for this charge cannot be made on the doorstep to the postal worker and will instead need to be paid either online via credit/debit card or PayPal or by post by following the instructions on the card.

It can also be paid in person by visiting the listed ‘Customer Service Point’ on the Fee to Pay card. The recipient needs to bring the card and a form of ID when they go to pay in order to receive the item.

Are there any alternatives or exceptions?
The only stamps you can continue to use now are “special stamps” issued to commemorate anniversaries and events, as well as Christmas stamps. Alternatively, to stop stamps becoming worthless, you can exchange them via ‘Swap Out’.

To do this, you’ll need to download a “Swap Out” form on the Royal Mail website, call up Royal Mail on 03457 740740, or pick up a form from a local delivery office or Post Office. If you’re downloading the form online and you don’t have access to a printer, you can instead complete a web form and request for it to be posted to you.

Once you’ve filled it out, post back the stamps you want to swap using the Freepost address. Your new barcode stamps should then arrive in seven days.

You will need to complete a standard form for stamps worth up to £200, or a Bulk Stamp form for stamps worth more than £200. There is no limit on the number of forms you can request.

For more info on which stamps you can exchange, see Royal Mail’s FAQs.

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