Swap old stamps so you are not left out of pocket 

People are being urged to exchange old stamps for the latest barcoded versions to avoid being left out of pocket.

Royal Mail has begun rolling out the new stamps, which let customers track letters and parcels through the firm’s app. 

These are already for sale, although non-barcoded stamps are still being sold until stocks are exhausted. 

But from January 31, stamps without a barcode will no longer be usable. This year, stamps were hit by a hefty 12 per cent price hike. 

The cost of a first-class stamp rose by 10p and will currently set you back 95p. 

Given the upcoming changes, Royal Mail has been encouraging customers to use up stamps ahead of the January deadline.

But customers can also swap them for barcoded stamps under the Stamp Swap Out scheme. Stamps will be swapped like-for-like, regardless of what you originally paid. 

There is no rush to send in your stamps as they can be swapped indefinitely.

To exchange your stamps, fill out the form at royalmail.com/sending/barcoded-stamps, then send this, along with your stamps, to Royal Mail, free of charge. Write on the envelope Freepost Swap Out.

 No other address details are needed. If you have more than £2,500 worth of stamps to swap, you need to contact the Royal Mail’s offices in Edinburgh. 

Used stamps and stamps not on the original backing paper will not be exchangeable. 

Christmas stamps will not be included in the scheme and can still be used after January 31.

l.purkess@dailymail.co.uk