Why Royal Mail won't be accepting 1st and 2nd class stamps next year
New rules will come in from January next year
Last updated 27th May 2022
Royal Mail are shaking up some of their rules, which will leave many stamps completely useless come this time next year.
Brits will no longer be able to use first and second class stamps after a new barcode system is brought in January.
The postal service is giving people until 31 January 2023 to use their current stamps or swap them for new ones.
What is this new barcode system?
New stamps will have a barcode attached to them which must be intact for the stamp to be valid.
The barcode system that is being introduced will link the postage to a 'digital twin' that will be connected through the Royal Mail app.
It has been reported that this system will introduce additional security features for customers.
What should I do with the stamps I already have?
They can still be used throughout 2022 and will only become unusable on 31 January next year.
There will be a 'Swap Out' scheme that will give people the opportunity to swap out non-barcoded stamps.
The website, which will go live on 31 March, will allow customers to fill out a form or call up to get their stamps replaced.
However, there have been concerns online from people who have stockpiled booklets of stamps to avoid their rising costs.
It is yet unclear as to whether there are any limits on the number of stamps you can swap.
Currently, a first class stamp costs 85p and a second class stamp will set you back 66p.
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