Royal Mail customers could face extra postage fees as thousands of stamps become unusable

Royal Mail customers could be hit with extra postage fees as thousands of stamps are set to become unusable. Barcoded stamps are planned to replace the traditional ones.

When the postal company makes this switch, the old style stamps will no longer be valid. Any customers with traditional stamps are advised to either use the stamps before the deadline or or swap them for the new barcoded ones using a “Stamp Swap Out” form.

After January 31, 2023, postal customers will only be able to use barcoded stamps with the Queen’s profile on, or non-barcoded Christmas or special collection stamps. If you send a letter or parcel with the “old” stamps, you could be hit with an extra fee, Lancashire Live reports.

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Sending a letter without postage currently incurs a £2 charge, according to the Royal Mail website. An exchange system is now in place for those who don’t think they will be able to use the stamps before the cut off point.

Royal Mail’s “Swap Out” scheme lets you exchange the stamps for free by completing a form. You need to use a standard form for stamps worth up to £200, or a bulk stamp form for stamps worth more than £200.

You cannot take the stamps to the Post Office to be swapped. Stamp Swap Out forms can be downloaded here. Alternatively, if you don’t have access to a printer you can request a Stamp Swap Out form to be posted to you here.

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