Why you need to check your stamps today

The Royal Mail are replacing the traditional regular everyday and Christmas stamps with a new look design featuring a barcode.

The barcodes will be featured on a new perforated section that will match the stamp colour and sit alongside the main body of the stamp.

The new stamps will be introduced this year and will replace existing stamps.

If you’ve got a book of stamps or a sheet of stamps in the drawer it is best to start using them up before they are no longer valid.

Non-barcoded stamps will be phased out but will remain usable until 31 January 2023 and customers are encouraged to use their non-barcoded stamps before this date.

A ‘Swap Out’ scheme will be available to exchange non-barcoded stamps for the new barcoded version through the Royal Mail .