Royal Mail is reminding customers there is one week to go to use up their non-barcoded definitive stamps ahead of the 31 July deadline.

Customers who use their non-barcoded definitive stamps after the deadline risk the recipient being surcharged.

The £1.10 surcharge fee will be applied to mail sent using non-barcoded stamps.

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.

Customers who cannot use up their stock of non-barcoded stamps before 31 July will still be able to swap them 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 deadline for customers to swap their non-barcoded stamps.

Royal Mail encourages customers to check their purses, wallets and drawers to find any unused non-barcoded stamps.

Matthew Parkes, Managing Director, Stamps and Collectibles, said: “As we approach the 31 July deadline, we encourage our customers to use-up any non-barcoded stamps before it is too late.

“Customers who cannot use their non-barcoded stamps before 31 July will still be able to swap them for new barcoded stamps through Royal Mail’s simple and free Swap Out scheme. Nobody should be out of pocket as a result of this change.

“A leaflet with a form was delivered to every household recently, but customers can also print out a form from our website; call our Customer Experience team to order one; or pick one up at a local Royal Mail delivery office or Post Office.”

The Bolton News: STamps

The company aims to process applications within seven working days. However, it should be noted this is an aim and not a guarantee - as there may be times when, due to higher volumes of swap out requests, applications take longer to process. Customers should allow 15 working days before contacting Royal Mail Customer Experience on 03457 740740.

The move is part of the company’s extensive and ongoing modernisation drive and will enable the introduction of added security features and pave the way for innovative services for customers in the future.

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 Majesty Queen Elizabeth.

Stamps that have already been used for postage will not be accepted on the Swap Out scheme.