Royal Mail has issued a warning to remind its customers of a looming deadline that will affect anyone who uses its stamps. The UK postal service introduced new barcoded stamps back in 2022 with each barcode allowing the stamps to be traced through the postal system.
Since then, people have still been able to use their existing non-barcoded 1st and 2nd class stamps to post letters however this will soon change.
From July 31, any old stamps that don't have a barcode will no longer be accepted to send post with. Ahead of the one-week deadline, Royal Mail is now urging its customers to either use up their old stamps, swap them out, or risk the person receiving mail to be charged as its existing stamps become invalid. Try MEN Premium for FREE by clicking here for no ads, fun puzzles and brilliant new features. Those who send any mail with a non-barcoded stamp will see the recipient being surcharged £1.10 from July 31.
Post sent using the old stamps will be treated in the same way as insufficient or 'no postage' on an item. Recipients of mail sent using non-barcoded stamps will be left a grey ‘Fee to Pay’ card advising them that they have an item of mail that requires a surcharge to be paid before the item can be delivered.