what you need to know

These days, we all have devices in our pockets that allow us to contact anyone with the tap of a screen, so it’s likely that you don’t send as much post as you perhaps once did. But sending mail is far from being a thing of the past, with Royal Mail delivering just under eight billion letters in the financial year ending in March 2022.

As a part of its modernisation drive, Royal Mail has added barcodes to stamps that can be scanned. Non-barcoded stamps are now being phased out. Here’s what you need to know.

Why are there new stamps?

The new barcoded stamps were introduced in February 2022. Each barcode is unique, allowing each stamp to be traceable through the postal system. It also allows customers to send videos that the recipient of the letter can scan and watch.

The stamps that have changed are the regular ‘definitive stamps’ that you’ll be familiar with, featuring the late Queen Elizabeth II against a plain coloured background, with the barcode to her right. New barcoded stamps featuring King Charles III were introduced on 6 April 2023.

How long do I have to use my old stamps?

You can use your non-barcoded stamps until Monday 31 July 2023. The original deadline was at the end of January, but after the death of Queen Elizabeth, Royal Mail introduced a six-month grace period to give people more time to use their old stamps.

If you’ve got stamps tucked away in your draw that you don’t think you’ll get round to using before the deadline, you can swap them for the new ones using Royal Mail’s ‘Swap Out’ scheme. Visit the Royal Mail site to download the Stamp Swap Out Form, print it out and fill it in. For up to £200 worth of stamps, send the form and the stamps free of charge by writing Freepost SWAP OUT on the envelope. To swap out more than £200 worth of stamps, there’s a separate form that you can send to:

Royal Mail
Swap Out
Tallents House
21 South Gyle Crescent
Edinburgh
EH12 9PB.

Don’t have a printer? You can request that the Stamp Swap Out Form is sent to you by completing this form online or pick one up from your local Post Office. However, the Post Office won’t be able to swap your stamps for you.

Note: Non-barcoded Christmas themed and commemorative stamps will still be valid for postage past the deadline and cannot be swapped.

What will happen if I try to use an old stamp past the deadline?

After 31 July, an item with a non-barcoded stamp will be treated as if there is insufficient postage and will be subject to a surcharge. You can find out more about surcharge fees on the Royal Mail website.

How long will I be able to use stamps featuring Queen Elizabeth II?

Barcoded stamps featuring both King Charles and Queen Elizabeth are both currently in circulation and will both will remain valid after 31 July. There is currently no date when barcoded stamps featuring the Queen will become invalid.

Can I donate my old stamps?

Many charities accept stamps as donations as they can sell these and use the funds to continue their work. All you have to do is pop them in an envelope and send them to your chosen charity. Amnesty, Oxfam, RNIB, Parkinson’s UK and British Hedgehog Preservation Society are just a few that accept stamps as donations.

Will the old stamps be worth anything?

Stamp collecting is a popular hobby and, if you manage to get your hands on a rare stamp, can be a good investment. For example, rare two and a half pence stamps of Queen Elizabeth from 1962 are listed for as much as £497 on eBay.

However, if you’re hanging on to your non-barcoded stamps in hopes of yielding a return, you will likely end up disappointed. According to the Royal Philatelic Society London, modern stamps are generally worth their face value as they are printed in their millions. If there is an error or variety on the stamp, this may make it more valuable.

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