There are less than 100 days until non-barcoded definitive stamps cease to be a valid form of postage. Definitive stamps are the regular “everyday” stamps featuring the profile of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth.

From 1 February 2023 barcoded Definitive stamps, as shown below, will be the only type of Definitive Stamps valid for postage. This follows an announcement made at the start of 2022, and is not connected with the passing of Queen Elizabeth.

South Shropshire MP, Philip Dunne has urged constituents to use up their old stamps before the 1st February. He said,

“Many households will have the old type of stamp stashed away in a drawer or desk and run the risk of forgetting to use them before the February deadline.

“With Christmas fast approaching, there is an excellent opportunity to make use of any stamps you may have for sending Christmas cards and connecting with loved ones by post. If you are unable to use up your stock of stamps, they can be exchanged by sending them to Royal Mail along with an exchange form. There is currently no end date for when customers can swap their stamps – so unused stamps can be exchanged after 31 January.”

Old stamps can be sent to Royal Mail using their FREEPOST address. There is no charge to exchange unused stamps.

Swap forms are available from:

www.royalmail.com/barcodedstamps where a form can be printed or requested

Royal Mail’s Customer Experience team – customers can call 03457 740740 and request a form be posted to them

From more than 1,200 Customer Service Points at delivery offices

Special Stamps – those that are issued to commemorate special occasions or to celebrate British achievement – will not be barcoded and remain valid for use. Non-barcoded Christmas stamps also remain valid for use throughout the year. These stamps cannot be exchanged.