Postage stamps will expire in three days as the new design arrives, but can be exchanged for new ones.
- Barcode stamps will replace regular stamps starting Monday, July 31
- The people who receive the old stamps face fines for sending the publication past this deadline.
- The Royal Mail is urging Brits to use or change all their old stamps.
Britons have just three days left to use or exchange their old stamps before they lose their value from July 31.
Royal Mail is changing its stamp design to include a barcode, as well as the traditional photo of the monarch’s head.
The barcode is to help the stamps to be used with the Royal Mail app.
Old stamp designs without the barcode cannot be used after 31 July, or the person receiving the post risks paying £1.10.
However, Royal Mail will allow people with older stamps to use them before the deadline or exchange them for the new barcoded ones.
However, some older stamps can still be used after the July 31 deadline, such as special edition stamps.
Trade Them: As of July 31, you will no longer be able to use older stamps like these.
Here’s everything you need to know about how postage stamps are changing and what you need to do.
What stamps are changing?
The stamps that have been changed to include a barcode are regular 1st and 2nd class stamps.
These feature the profile of the late Queen Elizabeth II or King Carlos III on a solid color background.
What stamps are not changing?
Holiday stamps without a barcode and other special image stamps can still be used after July 31.
Picture Perfect: Holiday stamps and stamps with pictures, like these, can still be used after July 31.
Matthew Parkes, Royal Mail’s managing director of stamps and collectibles, says: “As we approach the July 31 deadline, we encourage our customers to run out of non-barcode stamps before it’s too late.
‘Customers unable to use their non-barcoded stamps by July 31st will still be able to exchange them for new barcoded stamps through Royal Mail’s free and simple Swap Out scheme. No one should lose money as a result of this change .’
How can I exchange my old stamps?
Royal Mail have a stamp exchange scheme that will allow you to exchange your old stamps for new barcoded versions.
You will need to pick up or print a form to do this, then fill it out and mail it back with your stamps.
If you have a printer, you can find the forms here.
If you do not have a printer, you can request a stamp exchange form be mailed to you. by completing a form found here.
Stamp exchange forms are also available at your local post office.
