Royal Mail stamp warning as customers could face extra fees when sending mail

People have been warned to use up old stamps before the deadline next month or risk a surcharge when sending post.

Royal Mail began rolling out stamps with barcodes in February last year, in a bid to completely replace all the old versions that didn’t have a barcode attached.

The postal company had originally set the deadline of January 31, 2023 for customers to either use or swap their old stamps before they became worthless.

But this deadline was scrapped and a six month “grace period” was introduced instead.

Liverpool Echo reports that this means people will need to use or swap any old-style stamps they still have by Monday, July 31. People have been sent leaflets in the post to remind them of the new deadline.

The leaflets state: “Time is running out to use your old non-barcoded stamps. You have until July 31 to use your non-barcoded ‘regular’ stamps.

“They will not be accepted for postage after this date and you could be subject to surcharge. Alternatively, you can swap them for new barcoded stamps.”

There is also a Stamp Swap Out form on the reverse of the leaflet, or you can download one to print out here.

After the deadline on July 31, anyone who uses a non-barcoded stamp for their mail may be faced with a surcharge, as the item could be classed as having “insufficient postage”.

The exact amount of this extra fee has not yet been confirmed.

Royal Mail has said that the new barcoded stamps will enable ‘exciting new services’ by connecting physical stamps to the digital world via the Royal Mail app.

It will also provide added security features and will make Royal Mail operations more efficient.

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