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An important update to the iconic British stamp has been announced by Royal Mail as it launches a new design. The new stamps come into use next year and will render the current first and second class stamps invalid.
Royal Mail are now adding a barcode to all regular stamps, which will be found to the right of the iconic profile of the late Queen Elizabeth II. It is the first major redesign of stamps in the UK in almost 30 years, when self-sticking stamps were introduced in 1993.
After January 31, 2023, regular stamps without a barcode will no longer be valid. Mail users must either use up these stamps before this deadline or swap them for the new barcoded ones.
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Royal Mail said the barcodes will enable exciting new services by connecting physical stamps to the digital world through the Royal Mail app. The stamps will still feature the profile of the Queen on a plain coloured background.
A spokesperson said: “The move is part of the Company’s extensive and ongoing 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.”
If you don’t use all your non-barcoded stamps for your Christmas cards this year, they can be exchanged for the new barcoded version through the Stamp Swap Out scheme. This can be done by simply completing one of Royal Mail’s Stamp Swap Out forms and sending it back to them along with your old stamps.
How to return your old stamps
If you have a printer, you can swap out up to £200 worth of non-barcoded stamps by printing out and completing this Stamp Swap Out PDF. You can then return it for free, along with your stamps, by writing on the envelope “Freepost SWAP OUT”. No other address details or postcode are needed.
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If you don’t have access to a printer, you can request a Stamp Swap Out form to be posted to you by completing this form online. ‘Stamp Swap Out’ forms are also available from the Customer Service Point at your local Delivery Offices or you can call our Customer Experience Team on 03457 740740.
You cannot swap your unbarcoded stamps at your local Post Office. Swap out forms are also not available at Post Offices.
What stamps are being changed?
Not all stamps need to be swapped as only “definitive stamps” are being barcoded. These are the regular ‘everyday’ stamps featuring the iconic profile of The Queen created by the sculptor Arnold Machin in 1967.
Special issue stamps, the ones printed as a one off to commemorate a person or event are not being barcoded. These remain valid as postage so don’t need to be swapped out.
Although future Christmas Stamps are being barcoded, previous years of non-barcoded Christmas Stamps will remain valid as postage after January 31, 2023, so there is no requirement to swap them out.
(Image: Royal Mail)
If you post a letter or parcel with an unbarcoded stamp after January 31, it will be treated in the same way as if there is insufficient postage on an item. Any item that has insufficient postage is subject to a surcharge fee.
Many have asked why the old Queen is still on the new stamps and not King Charles III. This is because the new barcoded stamps entered production before the Queen passed away in September.
Royal Mail have since stopped producing stamps featuring Queen Elizabeth to begin production on those featuring the King. Though these are still valid for use so long as they have a barcode after the deadline.
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