Royal Mail barcoding stamps - existing stamps valid only until 31 Jan 2023

MSE_James

Our News Team colleagues have published a further article: 

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2023/january/royal-mail-stamps-deadline-july/ 

NBLondon

MSE_James said:

Our News Team colleagues have published a further article: 

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2023/january/royal-mail-stamps-deadline-july/ 

The confusion is because the 6 month "grace period" is not an extension of the stamps validity but that RM will not begin surcharging the recipient £2.50  for "no postage" until after July.

So you can continue use them without any risk of penalty but it would be better to swap them.


 There's a very good question over on the Small Biz thread:

MobileSaver said:

I'm guessing this means that after 31 Jan you can still use non-barcoded stamps on letters and small parcels that you post yourself but I wonder if Post Office staff will still accept such items over the counter? (E.g. if you require a proof of posting certificate/receipt or as part-payment if your parcel postage costs more than the stamps you've already stuck to it?)

If the stamps are invalid after 31 Jan - then I would expect the PO to point this out and not accept them as pre-payment.  Whether the PO has updated processes and informed all staff is another question.

Perhaps the News Team could find out from Post Office Counters Ltd and update the article...

GDB2222

FWIW, I have loads of old stamps, and I sent a small batch in for swapping. It's taken about two weeks, and RM have done a good job.

The only complaint is that the new stamps are around four times the size of the old ones, which is a problem if you need to add several stamps to a small package to make up the correct amount. 

I'll send them some more now.

NBLondon

GDB2222 said:

The only complaint is that the new stamps are around four times the size of the old ones, 

You exaggerate a little...  The barcoded versions are 2.3 times the area of the previous issues.

Yes - this is annoying on a small item.  In theory, you shouldn't need to use more than 2 or 3 to make any current value if you are using only new stamps.  If you are using commemoratives and barcoded together then it gets messy.

Doc_N

Just out of curiosity, are they sending out Charles stamps yet? And no whisper of an end date for redemption yet?

Seems logical to break up any over £200 claims to minimise the risks of problems - no limit on the number of claims for reimbursement of the Special Delivery fee.

GDB2222

NBLondon said:

GDB2222 said:

The only complaint is that the new stamps are around four times the size of the old ones, 

You exaggerate a little...  The barcoded versions are 2.3 times the area of the previous issues.

Yes - this is annoying on a small item.  In theory, you shouldn't need to use more than 2 or 3 to make any current value if you are using only new stamps.  If you are using commemoratives and barcoded together then it gets messy.

I admit that I didn’t measure the stamps. The new ones just seem huge.

HonestJohn

Do you get 2nd class again or are they still sending only 1st class stamps. I think it is too early for Charles stamps but I am not prepared to wait. Prices will no doubt go up in April so I will get less back.

elsien

They are sending out second class as well as first - I got mine changed before Christmas. 

HonestJohn

elsien said:

They are sending out second class as well as first - I got mine changed before Christmas. 

Thanks for that. I guess things are going smoothly now as there are not many comments here now. Will send a load of this week.

Doc_N

elsien said:

They are sending out second class as well as first - I got mine changed before Christmas. 

Were they Charles or Elizabeth?