Scots have been urged to use up their remaining batches of first and second class stamps ahead of a rule change coming into force from next year.
From January 31, 2023, the current stamps with the Queen’s head on them will be replaced with ones that contain a barcode alongside it.
The rule change will also mean that seasonal ones, such as the ones in circulation over Christmas, will also no longer be valid from this point, the Mirror reports.
An exception will be made for special commemorative stamps, such as the ones found in the Doctor Who collection, which will continue to work after January 31 next year.
The Royal Mail will allow Scots to exchanged their existing stamps for the new barcoded ones for free under a new scheme from next month.
This initiative, which has been named by Royal Mail as the ‘Swap Out’ scheme, will open from March 31, 2022 and will close on March 31, 2023.
Under this scheme, Scots will need to fill out a form before posting their no longer valid stamps back to the Royal Mail.
MoneySavingExpert’s Martin Lewis has urged people to use up their current stamps to avoid being left out of pocket.
He said: “For years, every time stamps go up in price I’ve suggested people stock up and bulk-buy in advance; as provided the stamp doesn’t have a price on it and instead just says the postage class, it's still valid after the hike. This has been an effective tactic, as a first class letter stamp is now 85p - a decade ago it was just 60p.
“So this change will come as a shock to the many stamp hoarders out there. It’s the first time I can remember you’ve not been able to just lick it and stick it. And we don’t yet know if you’ll still be able to swap the stamps after March 2023, so this is a call to arms (or tongues) to ensure you either use ‘em or swap ‘em.”
Royal Mail hopes that the change coming into force next year will be a major shake up for security.
The barcodes are said to have ‘additional security features’ that will support efforts to improve the safety of the post that the firm handles.
All of the barcodes will have a ‘digital twin’ which can be connected through the Royal Mail app, but it will not allow Scots to track their post.
Royal Mail has already started phasing out non-barcoded stamps in shops and Post Offices.
Retailers are expected to receive stock of the new stamps over the coming months.
Shops and Post Offices will continue to use the current stamps until they eventually run out of stock.
A spokesperson for Royal Mail 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."
