ROYAL MAIL REMINDS CUSTOMERS TO “USE UP OR SWAP OUT” NON-BARCODED DEFINITIVE STAMPS
After July 31, 2023, mail posted with non-barcoded stamps will be liable to surcharge
- Royal Mail is reminding customers that they have a further six months to use up their old non-barcoded definitive stamps from the initial January 31 deadline
- Royal Mail introduced a six-month grace period to give customers even more time to use up their old, non-barcoded definitive stamps
- Royal Mail is working hard to ensure no one will be out of pocket
- From July 31 non-barcoded stamps will no longer be valid and will be liable to a surcharge if used on mail
- Even after July 31, customers will still be able to swap non-barcoded stamps for barcoded stamps through Royal Mail’s simple and free Swap Out scheme
- Royal Mail continues to encourage customers to check their purses, wallets and drawers to find and use their non-barcoded Definitive stamps before the final deadline of July 31
- The move is part of the Company’s extensive and ongoing modernisation drive
- The new barcoded stamps will pave the way for new and exciting customer services
Royal Mail is reminding customers to “use up or swap out” their non-barcoded definitive stamps. Customers have until July 31 to use up their old non-barcoded definitive stamps after Royal Mail introduced a six-month grace period to give customers even longer to use up their old, non-barcoded stamps. This means that customers can use old-style stamps as normal until July 31 when non-barcoded stamps will no longer be valid and liable to a surcharge.
Even after the new July 31 deadline, customers will still be able to swap non-barcoded stamps for barcoded stamps through Royal Mail’s simple and free Swap Out scheme. The Swap Out scheme opened on March 31, 2022, and there is currently no end date as to when customers should swap their non-barcoded stamps by.
Royal Mail continues to encourage customers to check their purses, wallets and drawers to find and use their non-barcoded Definitive stamps before the final deadline of July 31.
Matthew Parkes, Managing Director, Stamps and Collectibles, said: “We don’t want any of our customers to be out of pocket. In order to give our customers even more time to use up any remaining non-barcoded stamps, we introduced six-month grace period starting from the original deadline of January 31, 2023, where non-barcoded definitive stamps will still be delivered as normal.
“We continue to encourage customers to check their purses, wallets and drawers to find and use their non-barcoded Definitive stamps before the final deadline of July 31. But even if they miss this date, there is currently no time limit on customers swapping their non-barcoded stamps for barcoded stamps via our free Swap Out scheme.”
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.
The move to barcoded stamps was first announced on February 1, 2022 – giving customers time to use up their old-style stamps.
Stamps eligible for the Swap Out scheme:
Eligible stamps are the regular 1st and 2nd Class ‘everyday’ definitive stamps, and all other values, featuring the profile of Her Late Queen Elizabeth.
Non-barcoded Christmas and other special stamps with pictures on continue to be valid for postage and should not be submitted for swap out. Customers only need to swap out the ‘everyday’ stamps featuring the profile of Her Late Queen Elizabeth.
Stamps that have already been used for postage will not be accepted on the Swap Out scheme.
Obtaining a Swap Out scheme form:
There are four ways customers can obtain a Swap Out scheme form:
– Via the Royal Mail website at www.royalmail.com/barcodedstamps where customers can download a form. Customers who do not have access to a printer can instead complete a web form and request a form be posted to them.
– By contacting Royal Mail’s Customer Experience team by telephone on 03457 740740 and requesting a form be posted to them.
– By visiting one of more than 1,200 local delivery office Customer Service Points, where they can pick up a form in person.
– From Post Office branches nationwide.
Customers can complete a standard Swap Out scheme form for stamps worth up to the value of £200.
Customers wishing to swap stamps with a value of more than £200 will need to request and complete a Bulk Stamp Swap Out form. Bulk Stamp Swap Out forms can be requested from www.royalmail.com/barcodedstamps
Returning the Swap Out scheme form:
Customers returning the form and non-barcoded stamps can do so free of charge.
Customers who pick up a Swap Out scheme form from a local delivery office Customer Service Point, Post Office or request one to be posted to them – will also receive a freepost envelope.
Customers who print off a Swap Out scheme form can address an envelope to: Freepost SWAP OUT. No other address details are needed.
We will endeavour to process all Swap Out scheme forms within seven working days.
Mail posted with non-barcoded stamps after January 31, 2023:
Mail posted with non-barcoded Definitive stamps after January 31, 2023 will delivered as normal. Mail posted after July 31, 2023 without a barcoded stamp will be treated in the same way as if there is insufficient postage on an item. Any item that has insufficient postage may be subject to a surcharge.