Royal Mail warns millions to use old stamps before next month

Royal Mail has issued an urgent warning to anyone with old stamps laying around their home to use them before they are worthless. The classic stamps are being replaced with ones with barcodes printed on them, which can track and trace post and can also link to video messages when scanned.

From August 1, the familiar, everyday stamps showing the Queens head on a plain background will only be valid if there is a barcode on the right hand side. Using the old, non-barcoded stamps after this date will incur a surcharge.

Sending a letter or large letter currently incurs a £2.50 fee where no postage has been paid at all. Royal Mail advises anyone with these stamps still lurking around their home to use them up before July 31.

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Anyone who cannot use up their non-barcoded stamps before the deadline date will be able to swap them for barcoded stamps through the Royal Mail’s free Swap Out scheme. Royal Mail has said no-one should be out of pocket as a result.

After July 31, the only non-barcoded stamps which will be accepted are Christmas and other special themed stamps, used to celebrate anniversaries and events. To swap out the old stamps, you will 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.

If you are downloading the form online and you do not have access to a printer, you can instead complete a web form and request for it to be posted to you.

Once the form is filled out, post back the stamps you want to swap using the Freepost address. Your new barcode stamps should then arrive in seven days.

You will need to complete a standard form for stamps worth up to £200, or a Bulk Stamp form for stamps worth more than £200. There is no limit on the number of forms you can request.

While there is currently no deadline date to swap out your stamps, you are advised to do it sooner rather than later, in case one is announced.