Royal Mail has warned customers they have 100 days to use old first and second-class stamps before they will no longer be valid for post.
The traditional stamp, which features Queen Elizabeth II's profile on a coloured background, will expire in three months. The stamps will be replaced by a new barcode system, aimed at "reinventing" the stamp for the next generation.
The new physical stamps will connect to the digital world through the Royal Mail app. However, people are now being advised to use up any old stamps they have before they become invalid.
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Which stamps are affected?
The style of stamps, featuring a left-facing profile face of Her Late Majesty The Queen, will not be used after January 31, 2023. After this date, non-barcoded stamps will be treated as insufficient postage.
Only barcoded stamps with the Queen’s image on them, non-barcoded Christmas, or special collection stamps can be used.
Swapping them out
Royal Mail’s Stamp Swap Out scheme is an exchange system for people who don’t think they will be able to use the stamps before the January deadline. You can exchange your non-barcoded stamps for the new barcoded version through this scheme.
To swap out, you just need to complete a Stamp Swap Out form and send it back to Royal Mail along with your non-barcoded stamps.
Can I take my stamps to the Post Office to swap them out?
No, you can't swap your non-barcoded stamps out at a Post Office. According to the Royal Mail website, you can only swap them by filling out the 'Swap Out' form and sending the non-barcoded stamps to Royal Mail via free post.
The forms are available on the Royal Mail website and can be either printed or filled out online. Alternatively, you can request the forms to be posted to you via the Royal Mail website or by calling customer services or picking one up from your local delivery offices
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