Don't forget to Swap your unused stamps

Thu 17 Nov 2022, 08:55

The Royal Mail has made a U-turn on dates for swapping unused regular stamps. The new deadline is 31 July 2023. They will also now provide Post Offices with forms and Freepost envelopes to enable people to swap their stamps for the new barcoded stamps via the mail. 

The forms and Freepost will be available for unused stamps with a value of £200 or less. For swaps above £200 you need to print out a different form and follow the instructions in the link provided by Colin (below). 

Pictorial stamps -- including Christmas stamps -- will continue to be valid beyond that date.

Mon 24 Oct 2022, 18:03

Thank you Christine. I only mentioned the Coop post office because the chap there said he could only do stamp swaps in January.

Mon 24 Oct 2022, 13:54 (last edited on Mon 24 Oct 2022, 13:57)

Unfortunately, I think it's going to be impossible to swap unused regular stamps at the Coop -- or any other Post Office, for that matter. 

The link provided by Colin specifically says "No -- you can't swap your non-barcoded stamps out at a Post Office. You will need to pick up a 'Swap Out' form and send in your non-barcoded stamps to Royal Mail (free post address on the form). Print one off our web site; contact Customer Experience and we'll post one out to you; pick one up from your local Delivery Offices' Customer Service Point. ...  Please note swap out forms are not available at Post Offices."

Very annoying! But it looks as if forms should be available from the Chipping Norton Delivery Office. Swaps can already be made, by the way -- no need to wait until 2023. 

The need to swap out stamps does not apply to old Christmas stamps, by the way, so there should be no concern about these.

Mon 24 Oct 2022, 12:05

After 31 January 2023, regular stamps without a barcode* will no longer be valid.

I believe you will be able to swap them for the new bar-coded stamps in January at the Coop in Charlbury or you can do it by post with the forms here https://www.royalmail.com/sending/barcoded-stamps