Royal Mail is introducing a huge change to the way people pay for postage, with traditional stamps set to be scrapped in a matter of weeks. Traditional stamps are being replaced by new stamps that feature a barcode.
Traditional stamps - which have been used for over five decades - will no longer be valid from the end of January. People have been warned that the old stamps will not be usable after January 31, meaning people have just four weeks to get them exchanged for the new type.
Shops and Post Offices are already selling the new stamps, which feature a QR barcode. They will continue to display an image of Queen Elizabeth II for now, until a new version featuring King Charles is launched.
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The barcodes' extra security allows mail handlers to scan stamps while creating a digital footprint which will be useful for customers using the Royal Mail app. While 'everyday' stamps will have these barcodes, commemorative and Christmas stamps will not feature them.
Royal Mail said: “The move is part of the company’s extensive and ongoing modernisation drive and will allow the unique barcodes to facilitate operational efficiencies, enable the introduction of added security features and pave the way for innovative services for customers.”
People who still have the old-style stamps are being advised to either use them up before the January deadline, or swap them for new barcode ones. Post Offices will be unable to trade the stamps, but the Royal Mail has set up a Stamp Swap Out scheme which allows customers to fill out a form and send it back with the old stamps.
A form can be printed out at home. Customers can swap up to £200 worth of non-barcoded stamps. The form can be sent free of charge by writing on the envelope 'Freepost SWAP OUT'.
However, if you have to swap out more than £200 worth of stamps then you can use the Bulk Stamp Swap Out form which the company recommends sending via a secure service. The preferred address is:
Royal Mail
Swap Out
Tallents House
21 South Gyle Crescent
EDINBURGH
EH12 9PB
If you do not have a printer available, you can sign a form online to have a Stamp Swap Out form sent to your house. Otherwise, you can call the Customer Experience Team on 03457 740740.
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