From the BBC:
“Royal Mail: 100 days left to
use stamps without a barcode”
Royal Mail is urging people to
use up stamps that do not have a barcode by 31 January, when they will no
longer be valid for postage. It says the deadline in exactly 100 days affects
"everyday" stamps featuring the late Queen's profile. Barcoded stamps
were introduced in February to make deliveries more efficient and improve
security. Customers will still be able to use themed, commemorative and
non-barcoded Christmas stamps after the deadline. Anyone unable to use older
everyday stamps by 31 January will be able to exchange them for newer barcoded
ones free of charge. However, the older, non-barcoded stamps cannot be swapped
at post offices. People will need to fill out a 'Swap Out' form and send the
old stamps to a Royal Mail freepost address. Royal Mail says that, at present,
there is no end date for when the older stamps can be swapped. The advice from
Royal Mail about using the older stamps is not connected to the change of
monarch. It says further details on the launch of stamps featuring King Charles
will be made at the appropriate time after consultation with the Royal
Household.
Details of stamp swap scheme
Regular 1st and 2nd Class
"everyday" stamps - the normal stamps that were available in books of
six or 12 - that feature the profile of the late Queen Elizabeth but no unique
barcode will no longer be valid from 31 January
The new stamps are used in
exactly the same way, but show a barcode on them
Non-barcoded Christmas and other
special stamps with pictures on continue to be valid for postage and should not
be submitted for swap out
Stamps that have already been
used for postage will not be accepted on the swap out scheme.
Royal Mail introduced barcoded
stamps in February, saying they would open up possibilities for "new
innovative services." The long-term plan is that people will be able to
watch videos, find out information and send birthday messages to each other
through the barcodes which can be scanned with the Royal Mail app. Analysts
Mintel said it reflected how widespread smartphone ownership had become as well
as people's familiarity with QR codes - notably through the the NHS Track and
Trace app during the pandemic. The postal service launched a national awareness
earlier this month reminding people to use up their non-barcoded stamps by the
deadline. Royal Mail, which hopes customers will use those stamps this
Christmas, has sent leaflets to 31 million homes and placed adverts in
newspapers, on the radio and on social media.
^ It’s so weird to hear anyone
has to “swap-out” stamps. We don’t do that here in the US (whether it is for
stamps or new Dollars.) ^
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