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ROYAL Mail has announced it’s moving to a new barcode system which will come into force in 2023.
Brits quickly blasted the changes as stamp collectors bemoaned that they are likely to lose their money’s worth.
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What stamps will be invalid under the new rules?
Definitive first and second class stamps – which feature the Queen’s head on them – will become invalid by 2023.
Stamps given out at Christmas will also no longer be in use.
They will be replaced by similar stamps with a barcode attached next to them.
Royal Mail say that every barcode will be unique and will enable the introduction of added security features – including information about relevant postal services.
A Royal Mail spokesman said: “Definitive stamps are the stamps that will be very familiar to most people. They feature the profile of HM the Queen.
“The barcodes match the stamp colour and sit alongside the main body of the stamp, separated by a simulated perforation line.
“The new barcode is an integral part of the stamp and must remain intact for the stamp to be valid.”
When do the new rules come into place?
From January 31, 2023, you won’t be able to use the current style of stamps that feature an image of the Queen’s head.
Instead, only the new style stamps complete with their new barcodes will be valid, and you’ll face a surcharge trying to use anything otherwise.
What can I do with my old stamps?
Fortunately, stamps can be traded in before the cut off deadline – and Royal Mail will let you do it for free.
Customers will have to fill out a “Swap-Out” form on Royal Mail website or call the postal giant directly to request a form.
Alternatively you can trek out to get one in person from a local delivery office – but not a Post Office.
You’ll then have to post back the stamps you want to swap to a Freepost address.
The “Swap Out” scheme launches on March 31, 2022, and you can continue to trade in the old stamps well after they become invalid as it runs until March 31 2023.
