Royal Mail urges people to get rid of old stamps before huge barcode change

Royal Mail are changing to way we use stamps as unique barcodes will help enhance security of postal services.

The postal service is adding unique barcodes to stamps with the traditional ones set to phased out within a year.

Royal Mail is urging customers to find and use-up any non-barcoded stamps before 31 January 2023

However, the regular stamps that many use at the moment can be swapped under a new scheme launching next month.

The ‘Swap Out’ scheme is set to be introduced from March 2022 and will allow customers to exchange their old stamps completely free of charge.

Royal Mail says all existing stamps will remain valid for postage in the usual way, with more details on the scheme to be announced soon.

Stamps now include a unique barcode to help facilitate operational efficiencies and enable the introduction of added security features in a bid to innovative postal services.

Each barcoded stamp will have a digital twin and the two will be connected by the Royal Mail App.

At the moment, both versions of stamps are in circulation.

The swap scheme will open on 31 March this year but you will still be able to use up any non-barcoded stamps until 31 January 2023.

If you find yourself with some unused stamps after that date, you can exchange they for barcoded versions without spending money.

You will be able to print out a form to swap stamps from Royal Mail’s website, call the Customer Experience team to ask for one or pick one up from their local Delivery Office’s Customer Service Point.

Royal Mail says more details about the ‘Swap Out’ scheme are set to be announced soon.

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