After Tuesday 31 January 2023, you won’t be able to use standard (non-barcoded) stamps depicting the profile of the late Queen Elizabeth II on a plain coloured background with the 1st or 2nd class mark, or others that show any other value which are post decimalisation (1971 onwards).

Instead, Royal Mail will add barcodes to these regular stamps to “enable exciting new services” and as part of its “modernisation drive”.

Royal Mail first announced the change to ‘definitive’ or ‘everyday’ stamps in February 2022, and its ‘Stamp Swap Out Scheme’ launched in March.

Now, there are just 100 days left to use or swap these stamps.

What you need to do before stamps become worthless

If you have a large number of stamps and it’s unlikely you’ll use them before they become worthless, you’ll need to get a ‘Stamp Swap Out’ form. The form you need depends on if you have more or less than £200 worth of stamps.

Less than £200 worth of stamps?

Print and complete this ‘Stamp Swap Out’ form. Send it back, free of charge, along with your stamps to: Freepost SWAP OUT.

If you don’t have a printer, you can request the form to be posted to you. Fill in this Barcoded Stamp form. The instructions for sending it back to Royal Mail will depend on the form you request.

You can also pick up a form from your local delivery office or you can call Royal Mail on 03457740740. You can’t swap stamps at the Post Office and you can’t pick up the swap forms from here either. There is no delivery charge for replacement stamps.

More than £200 worth of stamps?

Print out this ‘Bulk Stamp Swap Out’ form. Royal Mail recommends this form and non-barcoded stamps are sent via a secure service with suitable cover. Once filled in, send to: Royal Mail, Swap Out, Tallents House, 21 South Gyle Crescent, Edinburgh, EH12 9PB.

If you don’t have a printer, you can request the form to be posted to you. Fill in this Barcoded Stamp form. The instructions for sending it back to Royal Mail will depend on the form you request. You can also call Royal Mail on 03457740740. You can’t swap stamps at the Post Office and you can’t pick up the swap forms from here either. There is no delivery charge for replacement stamps.

Royal Mail confirmed that for those with swaps exceeding £200 using a Royal Mail delivery service – it suggests Special Delivery Guaranteed – it will refund the cost of the service by returning additional barcoded stamps equal to the value of the postage.

What about other stamps?

Not all stamps are being barcoded. All ‘definitive’ or ‘everyday’ stamps featuring the profile of The Queen created by sculptor Arnold Machin are being barcoded.

But special or commemorative stamps don’t need to be swapped out and can still be used after 31 January 2023. These include those with pictures on and which have been printed as a one-off to commemorate a person or event.

Although Christmas stamps are being barcoded, Royal Mail confirms previous years of non-barcoded Christmas stamps will remain valid as a form of postage.

Anything else I need to know about swapping stamps?

Royal Mail will only accept stamps “in the same condition as purchased”. They must be on their original backing, so not attached to other surfaces, such as on envelopes, packing or papers. It can decline a swap on this basis. It will also not accept stamps in albums, boxes or other collections.

How long does it take for the stamp swap?

Royal Mail said it processes forms within seven days, but it added this is an aim, not a guarantee.

What if you use non-barcoded stamps after 31 January 2023?

Post will be treated in the same way as if there is insufficient postage.

Royal Mail confirmed that any item with insufficient postage is subject to a surcharge: £1.50 on a letter and £3.50 on a small parcel.

When will the swap out scheme end?

There’s currently no end date for the swap out scheme, Royal Mail confirmed.

Full list of stamps to be barcoded and those which are excluded:

The following stamps are having barcodes added to them:

Machin definitive stamps, this covers:

• NVIs 1st Class, 2nd Class. 1st Class Large Letter; 2nd Class Large Letter
• These make up value stamps: 1p; 2p; 5p; 10p; 20p; 50p; £1; £2; £3; £5
• International Tariff stamps

Country definitive stamps: England; Northern Ireland; Scotland & Wales

Non-barcoded version of the above Machin & Country definitive stamps will not be valid as postage after 31 January 2023

Christmas Stamps: It is adding barcodes to Christmas stamps but non-barcoded Christmas stamps will remain valid as postage after 31 January 2023 so Christmas stamps are not part of the swap out.

You can see the example stamp images for the swap out scheme here.

Any stamps which are pre-decimalisation are not eligible for swap out as they don’t have a postage value.

If you have £2,500+ worth of stamps to swap

Royal Mail will only accept delivery of non-barcoded stamps by hand if the postage value of the nonbarcoded stamps exceeds £2,500. Hand deliveries must be made to Royal Mail, Tallents House, 21 South Gyle Crescent, Edinburgh EH12 9PB.

You must book an appointment at least 48 hours in advance by emailing TH_Bookings@royalmail.com. Appointments are subject to availability.

Why is Royal Mail moving towards barcoded stamps?

Royal Mail said: “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.” It added that it will “connect physical stamps to the digital world” through the Royal Mail app.