Royal Mail stamp prices to rise by 14% – but you can save money by acting now

Royal Mail has announced the price of a first-class stamp for standard size letters will increase from £1.10 to £1.25, with the increase set to come into force from October 2

Royal Mail has confirmed the price of a first-class stamp will rise by 14% next month.

It means a first-class stamp for standard size letters will increase from £1.10 to £1.25, with the price rise set to come into force from October 2. It is the second time first-class stamps have gone up this year.

Other stamp prices will also rise – for example, a first-class stamp for large letters will go up from £1.60 to £1.95, and a second-class stamp for large letters will increase from £1.15 to £1.55.

But second-class stamps for standard letters will remain at their current price of 75p. Royal Mail has a full list of price changes – which also includes increases to “Signed For” and “Special Delivery Guarantee” services – on its website.

If you use a lot of stamps and want to beat the price rises, you can purchase stamps at their current prices until October 1. If you buy them today, you’ll still be able to use them after October 2.

Nick Landon, Chief Commercial Officer at Royal Mail said: “We understand the economic challenges that many of our customers are currently facing and have considered the price changes very carefully in light of the significant decline in letter volumes. Letter volumes have reduced dramatically over recent years, down more than 60% from their peak in 2004/5 and 30% since the pandemic. It is vital that the Universal Service adapts to reflect this new reality.”

It comes after Royal Mail replaced traditional stamps with ones that feature barcodes – these enable to sender to scan the parcel and watch a video online. As of August 1, a letter or large letter posted with a non-barcode stamp will be charged a fee of £1.10.

Those receiving mail sent using non-barcoded stamps will be given a “Fee to Pay”‘ card telling them they must pay the surcharge. The only stamps you can continue to use are “special stamps” issued to commemorate anniversaries and events, as well as Christmas stamps.

If you still have some old stamps, you can exchange them through the Royal Mail “Swap Out” scheme. 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.