Related Articles
Martin Lewis is urging everyone who sends letters or parcels using Royal Mail that they need to act fast – within the next four days – to beat a price rise that’s set to take effect.
The money expert explained how people can stockpile stamps in the next few days because the price of first and second class stamps is going to rise sharply from April 3.
But due to the fact that stamps stay valid no matter what price you paid for them, if you stock up now, you can get in before prices rise and continue sending letters at the old rates.
Read More: Martin Lewis’ 5G and 4G replace phone warning to customers
Speaking on the latest edition of the Martin Lewis Money Show, Martin told ITV1 viewers: “On the 3rd of April 1st class stamps rise to £1.10. Up 15p. I know! Stamps over a quid” he told his audience as they started to audibly boo the news.
He continued: “Second class stamps 75p, up 7p. But look, here’s the thing with stamps, if you buy them and they say 1st and 2nd it doesn’t matter what price you paid, they are still valid.
“Just make sure if you’re buying them now, that they are barcoded stamps on the side, because if they aren’t barcoded stamps you’ll have to swap them in for something else.”
(Image: ITV)
A second deadline which is also looming for Royal Mail customers. From July 31, stamps that don’t have a barcode on them will no longer be valid.
You only have until July 31 to use them up or swap them at a Post Office, after a previous deadline off January 31 was extended for a final 6 months.
Royal Mail said: “Mail posted with non-barcoded Definitive stamps after 31 January 2023, will for the first six months be delivered as normal, no surcharge will be raised.
“After this six month grace period, an item with a non-barcoded stamp would be treated as if there is insufficient postage. Any item that has insufficient postage is subject to a surcharge. Surcharge fees can be found on our website.”
Read next:
