Why do stamps have barcodes? When do old ones expire

Royal Mail has advised customers to use up all stamps that do not have a barcode.

But when is the deadline to use stamps and why is the change coming into place?

Royal Mail stated at the time that the move towards barcodes would open up possibilities for “new innovative services”. In the future it is expected that barcodes will allow people to send each other videos which can be scanned with the Royal Mail app.

Royal Mail has confirmed that the deadline to use stamps that do not have a barcode will be Tuesday 31 January 2023.

The new stamps will be used in exactly the same way as the traditional stamps but will display a barcode on them to assist the delivery services.

According to the Royal Mail website if you attempt to use the old stamps after the deadline, you may face an additional charge and if you send a letter without postage you will incur a £2 charge.

The postal service launched a national awareness campaign in October reminding people to use up their non-barcoded stamps. In total Royal Mail has sent leaflets to 31 million homes and placed adverts in newspapers on the radio and through social media.

Nick Landon, Royal Mail chief commercial officer, released a statement earlier this year which said: “Please check your kitchen drawers, wallets and purses for older non-barcoded stamps and make sure you use them up by 31 January 2023.”

Royal Mail has introduced a swap out scheme for people who don’t think they will be able to use all their stamps before the end of January.

You can exchange these stamps for free through the Royal Mail website. The guidance explains that all you need to do is complete a Stamp Swap Out form, print it off and send it to them along with all of your non-barcoded stamps.

If you have a printer, you are able to swap out up to £200 worth of non-barcoded stamps. This can be sent free of charge, along with the stamps and all you need to do is write on the envelope Freepost SWAP OUT.

If you don’t have access to a printer you can request a Swap Out form to be posted to you through the link on the website. Likewise they are also available from your customer service point at your local delivery officers.

The upcoming deadline will affect all “everyday” stamps featuring Queen Elizabeth II. However, customers will still be able to use themed commemorative and non bar-coded christmas stamps after the final deadline.

Royal Mail has confirmed that at present there is no end date for when older stamps can be swapped. So even if you miss the 31 January deadline you will still be able to exchange your stamps at a later date.

The Royal Mail website states that further details on the launch will be made at an appropriate time after consultation with the Royal Household.

Four stamps that feature portraits of the Queen through the years will be released in her memory. These are the first to be approved by King Charles and they will enter general sale from Thursday 10 November.