Why Do Stamps Have Barcodes?

Why do stamps now have a barcode?

Why are there new stamps? – The new barcoded stamps were introduced in February 2022. Each barcode is unique, allowing each stamp to be traceable through the postal system. It also allows customers to send videos that the recipient of the letter can scan and watch.

Do I leave the barcode on the stamp?

Each barcode is unique and an integral part of the stamp, so you must keep the barcode attached otherwise they are invalid. Regular Stamps without a barcode* will no longer be valid after 31 July 2023 (a 6 month grace period from the initial 31 January deadline).

Can I reuse stamps with barcodes?

Reusing an unfranked stamp – technical question: illegality already assumed! Skip to first unread message unread, Apr 5, 2023, 5:56:26 PM Apr 5  Sign in to reply to author Sign in to report message as abuse Either email addresses are anonymous for this group or you need the view member email addresses permission to view the original message If I receive a stamped letter letter and Royal Mail has inadvertently not franked the stamp to cancel it, it is tempting to reuse that stamp on another letter.

• I realise that this would be fraudulent and therefore illegal.
• But am I right that the barcode alongside every stamp is unique.
• Does this mean that Royal Mail can check whether they have seen a stamp before and therefore can confirm if it is being used illegally a second time? If so, do they actually do so for every stamp on every letter? Or do they do random sampling? I ask because I’ve just received a letter with such a stamp.

I’ve binned it, despite the temptation to save £1.10 by reusing it. But it set me wondering. unread, Apr 5, 2023, 6:12:08 PM Apr 5  Sign in to reply to author Sign in to report message as abuse Either email addresses are anonymous for this group or you need the view member email addresses permission to view the original message In theory if you peel it off, there are two little oblong windows that get torn off the stamp, preventing re-use. unread, Apr 5, 2023, 6:24:20 PM Apr 5  Sign in to reply to author Sign in to report message as abuse Either email addresses are anonymous for this group or you need the view member email addresses permission to view the original message “Andrew” wrote in message news:[email protected]. unread, Apr 5, 2023, 6:48:33 PM Apr 5  Sign in to reply to author Sign in to report message as abuse Either email addresses are anonymous for this group or you need the view member email addresses permission to view the original message On 05/04/2023 16:24, NY wrote: > I suppose everything depends on whether a letter bypasses the marking > machine altogether and therefore escapes invisible (eg fluorescent dye) > marking as well as visible black-ink franking. And whether the sorting > marks happen to catch the stamp or to avoid it. I thought the fluorescent markings applied tho te envelope was more to do with sorting and redirection rather than franking of the stamp. As other have said there are oblong cut-outs on a stamp making it difficult to peel off and re-apply. I have 20 first class stamps and can see that the bar code is different on each (at least on the ones where a 10 second look the differences can be seen). I assume that they record that they have gone through the system. They may still attempt to deliver the letter but demand a fee beforehand, which may be more than the postage. – mailto : news admac myzen co uk unread, Apr 5, 2023, 6:55:07 PM Apr 5  Sign in to reply to author Sign in to report message as abuse Either email addresses are anonymous for this group or you need the view member email addresses permission to view the original message On 05/04/2023 15:56, NY wrote: > If I receive a stamped letter letter and Royal Mail has inadvertently > not franked the stamp to cancel it, it is tempting to reuse that stamp > on another letter. I realise that this would be fraudulent and therefore > illegal. > > But am I right that the barcode alongside every stamp is unique. It is. I’ve got a very interesting free app ‘Scandit’ on an iPhone that reads lots of different bar code formats. Does > this mean that Royal Mail can check whether they have seen a stamp > before and therefore can confirm if it is being used illegally a second > time? If so, do they actually do so for every stamp on every letter? Or > do they do random sampling? The post office is well used to adding surcharges for the receiver, of non related amounts that will add up to a tidy profit over their expenses. There is no reason for not issuing them all. – Adrian C unread, Apr 6, 2023, 1:20:29 AM Apr 6  Sign in to reply to author You do not have permission to delete messages in this group Sign in to report message as abuse Either email addresses are anonymous for this group or you need the view member email addresses permission to view the original message Yes the code is different on every stamp. unread, Apr 6, 2023, 2:46:42 AM Apr 6  Sign in to reply to author Sign in to report message as abuse Either email addresses are anonymous for this group or you need the view member email addresses permission to view the original message On Wed, 05 Apr 2023 23:15:04 +0100, Dave W wrote: > Yes the code is different on every stamp. Whether they store all the > codes and block one that they’ve seen before, is another matter. It would be easy enough. You only need one bit per stamp. – My posts are my copyright and if @diy_forums or Home Owners’ Hub wish to copy them they can pay me £1 a message. Use the BIG mirror service in the UK: *lightning surge protection* – a w_tom conductor unread, Apr 6, 2023, 10:00:34 AM Apr 6  Sign in to reply to author Sign in to report message as abuse Either email addresses are anonymous for this group or you need the view member email addresses permission to view the original message On 06/04/2023 00:46, Bob Eager wrote: > On Wed, 05 Apr 2023 23:15:04 +0100, Dave W wrote: > >> Yes the code is different on every stamp. Whether they store all the >> codes and block one that they’ve seen before, is another matter. > > It would be easy enough. You only need one bit per stamp. > Just get the felt tip out and add a random bit to the bar coding. unread, Apr 6, 2023, 10:41:22 AM Apr 6  Sign in to reply to author Sign in to report message as abuse Either email addresses are anonymous for this group or you need the view member email addresses permission to view the original message On 05/04/2023 15:56, NY wrote: I received a letter the other day, new barcode stamp, unfranked, and someone had used a biro to stick a cross on it.

Often seen that over the years, don’t know who does it, but I suspect the postie, so force of habit. I ‘repurposed’ a new barcoded stamp recently, it was on an envelope of a birthday card we were about to send, but the recipient sadly passed away. I just cut the stamp out of the envelope with a 5mm ‘border’, and sellotaped it to another envelope, one that I was sending an expired driving licence back to DVLC.

I wouldn’t have done that on anything more personal, it’s all rather ‘freeloaderish’ isn’t it ? (I threw away the birthday card (in the green bin, of course)) Could have tipexed it, and reused I suppose unread, Apr 6, 2023, 10:54:27 AM Apr 6  Sign in to reply to author Sign in to report message as abuse Either email addresses are anonymous for this group or you need the view member email addresses permission to view the original message On 06 Apr 2023 at 00:46:38 BST, “Bob Eager” wrote: > On Wed, 05 Apr 2023 23:15:04 +0100, Dave W wrote: > >> Yes the code is different on every stamp. Whether they store all the >> codes and block one that they’ve seen before, is another matter. > > It would be easy enough. You only need one bit per stamp. Plus bits for the code, presumably. – “People don’t buy Microsoft for quality, they buy it for compatibility with what Bob in accounting bought last year. Trace it back – they buy Microsoft because the IBM Selectric didn’t suck much” – P Seebach, afc unread, Apr 6, 2023, 11:17:37 AM Apr 6  Sign in to reply to author Sign in to report message as abuse Either email addresses are anonymous for this group or you need the view member email addresses permission to view the original message On Thu, 06 Apr 2023 07:54:21 +0000, Tim Streater wrote: > On 06 Apr 2023 at 00:46:38 BST, “Bob Eager” wrote: > >> On Wed, 05 Apr 2023 23:15:04 +0100, Dave W wrote: >> >>> Yes the code is different on every stamp. Whether they store all the >>> codes and block one that they’ve seen before, is another matter. >> >> It would be easy enough. You only need one bit per stamp. > > Plus bits for the code, presumably. No. Think about it. unread, Apr 6, 2023, 11:24:49 AM Apr 6  Sign in to reply to author You do not have permission to delete messages in this group Sign in to report message as abuse Either email addresses are anonymous for this group or you need the view member email addresses permission to view the original message On Thursday, 6 April 2023 at 08:41:22 UTC+1, Mark Carver wrote: > (I threw away the birthday card (in the green bin, of course)) Could > have tipexed it, and reused I suppose You can cut the front off the card and mount it on a new blank folded card for that ‘handcrafted’ look. I’ve been recycling received birthday cards that way for years. Regards Owain unread, Apr 6, 2023, 11:37:28 AM Apr 6  Sign in to reply to author Sign in to report message as abuse Either email addresses are anonymous for this group or you need the view member email addresses permission to view the original message “Mark Carver” wrote in message news:[email protected]. > I ‘repurposed’ a new barcoded stamp recently, it was on an envelope of a > birthday card we were about to send, but the recipient sadly passed away. > I just cut the stamp out of the envelope with a 5mm ‘border’, and > sellotaped it to another envelope, one that I was sending an expired > driving licence back to DVLC. I wouldn’t have done that on anything more > personal, it’s all rather ‘freeloaderish’ isn’t it ? There’s nothing illegal or even immoral about taking an unused stamp off a letter that hasn’t been sent and using it on another one. I would hope that Royal Mail wouldn’t penalise people for doing that, and *would* be using the barcode to confirm that the stamp hadn’t been sent already. Modern stamps are harder to get off an envelope than old “lickable” stamps because the stamp can’t be steamed or soaked off. The other cost-saving thing I do is to send several birthday cards in one envelope: my sister and two of my nephews were all born with about a week of each other (different years, obviously!) so I put all the cards into a single A5 envelope. It is better to pay for one large-letter stamp than for three normal-letter stamps going to the same address. I once had a post office clerk tell me off for doing it: I think she though that it was my moral duty to send three separate letters and thus boost the Royal Mail’s profits a bit more! unread, Apr 6, 2023, 11:54:22 AM Apr 6  Sign in to reply to author You do not have permission to delete messages in this group Sign in to report message as abuse Either email addresses are anonymous for this group or you need the view member email addresses permission to view the original message In theory, if what you send can be seen as large print or a ram stick or cassette, then you can post them free first class articles for the blind mail. You can buy labels from RNIB, now whether the postman has to stand there and test your eyes before delivery, is highly unlikely. Brian – -: This newsgroup posting comes to you directly from. The Sofa of Brian Gaff. Blind user, so no pictures please Note this Signature is meaningless.! “NY” wrote in message news:[email protected]. unread, Apr 6, 2023, 12:26:09 PM Apr 6  Sign in to reply to author You do not have permission to delete messages in this group Sign in to report message as abuse Either email addresses are anonymous for this group or you need the view member email addresses permission to view the original message Bob Eager wrote: > On Thu, 06 Apr 2023 07:54:21 +0000, Tim Streater wrote: > > > On 06 Apr 2023 at 00:46:38 BST, “Bob Eager” wrote: > > > >> On Wed, 05 Apr 2023 23:15:04 +0100, Dave W wrote: > >> > >>> Yes the code is different on every stamp. Whether they store all the > >>> codes and block one that they’ve seen before, is another matter. > >> > >> It would be easy enough. You only need one bit per stamp. > > > > Plus bits for the code, presumably. > > No. Think about it. I’ve thought about it. How were you planning to defeat the cryptographic signature that’s embedded in the datamatrix barcode? (although it seems the barcode scanning equipment is not universal in RM’s sorting network, so you might get away with it if they aren’t scanned. Seems like the Chinese forgers are now producing fake datamatrix stamps.) Theo unread, Apr 6, 2023, 12:31:43 PM Apr 6  Sign in to reply to author You do not have permission to delete messages in this group Sign in to report message as abuse Either email addresses are anonymous for this group or you need the view member email addresses permission to view the original message Mark Carver wrote: > I received a letter the other day, new barcode stamp, unfranked, and > someone had used a biro to stick a cross on it. Often seen that over the > years, don’t know who does it, but I suspect the postie, so force of habit. They may have standing instructions to cancel unfranked stamps on their round. Also, apparently not all barcoded stamps are getting scanned at the moment. > I ‘repurposed’ a new barcoded stamp recently, it was on an envelope of > a birthday card we were about to send, but the recipient sadly passed > away. I just cut the stamp out of the envelope with a 5mm ‘border’, and > sellotaped it to another envelope, one that I was sending an expired > driving licence back to DVLC. I wouldn’t have done that on anything more > personal, it’s all rather ‘freeloaderish’ isn’t it ? Not really, just you picked the wrong size envelope to begin with. I wouldn’t think anything of receiving a letter like that. At least the recipient knows you weren’t recycling a used stamp. > (I threw away the birthday card (in the green bin, of course)) Could > have tipexed it, and reused I suppose Happy Birthday^WSympathy ? Theo unread, Apr 6, 2023, 1:09:16 PM Apr 6  Sign in to reply to author Sign in to report message as abuse Either email addresses are anonymous for this group or you need the view member email addresses permission to view the original message Theo wrote: > Bob Eager wrote: > >> Tim Streater wrote: >> >>> Bob Eager wrote: >>> >>>> Dave W wrote: >>>> >>>>> Yes the code is different on every stamp. Whether they store all the >>>>> codes and block one that they’ve seen before, is another matter. >>>> >>>> It would be easy enough. You only need one bit per stamp. >>> >>> Plus bits for the code, presumably. >> >> No. Think about it. > > I’ve thought about it. How were you planning to defeat the cryptographic > signature that’s embedded in the datamatrix barcode? Presume each stamp starts with a unique incrementing serial number before it gets mangled with hashes/checksums etc? just set the bit that corresponds to the ID You’d have to transfer the stampIDs between sorting centres, but then just “OR” them into the usedstamps block of memory. Each 1TB of memory would store 8 trillion used/not used flags, that’s 1000 years worth of RM deliveries, and not all of those have stamps anyway. unread, Apr 6, 2023, 1:25:54 PM Apr 6  Sign in to reply to author Sign in to report message as abuse Either email addresses are anonymous for this group or you need the view member email addresses permission to view the original message On Thu, 06 Apr 2023 10:26:03 +0100, Theo wrote: > Bob Eager wrote: >> On Thu, 06 Apr 2023 07:54:21 +0000, Tim Streater wrote: >> >> > On 06 Apr 2023 at 00:46:38 BST, “Bob Eager” >> > wrote: >> > >> >> On Wed, 05 Apr 2023 23:15:04 +0100, Dave W wrote: >> >> >> >>> Yes the code is different on every stamp. Whether they store all >> >>> the codes and block one that they’ve seen before, is another >> >>> matter. >> >> >> >> It would be easy enough. You only need one bit per stamp. >> > >> > Plus bits for the code, presumably. >> >> No. Think about it. > > I’ve thought about it. How were you planning to defeat the > cryptographic signature that’s embedded in the datamatrix barcode? I’m not. We were talking about the RM scanner, not a private one. And how it records the stamps that have been used. unread, Apr 6, 2023, 1:26:26 PM Apr 6  Sign in to reply to author Sign in to report message as abuse Either email addresses are anonymous for this group or you need the view member email addresses permission to view the original message Exactly. A very old technique. unread, Apr 6, 2023, 6:01:52 PM Apr 6  Sign in to reply to author You do not have permission to delete messages in this group Sign in to report message as abuse Either email addresses are anonymous for this group or you need the view member email addresses permission to view the original message Bob Eager wrote: > On Thu, 06 Apr 2023 10:26:03 +0100, Theo wrote: > > > Bob Eager wrote: > >> On Thu, 06 Apr 2023 07:54:21 +0000, Tim Streater wrote: > >> > >> > On 06 Apr 2023 at 00:46:38 BST, “Bob Eager” > >> > wrote: > >> > > >> >> On Wed, 05 Apr 2023 23:15:04 +0100, Dave W wrote: > >> >> > >> >>> Yes the code is different on every stamp. Whether they store all > >> >>> the codes and block one that they’ve seen before, is another > >> >>> matter. > >> >> > >> >> It would be easy enough. You only need one bit per stamp. > >> > > >> > Plus bits for the code, presumably. > >> > >> No. Think about it. > > > > I’ve thought about it. How were you planning to defeat the > > cryptographic signature that’s embedded in the datamatrix barcode? > > I’m not. We were talking about the RM scanner, not a private one. And how > it records the stamps that have been used. Ah, sorry – you were talking about RM keeping track of which stamps had been seen using a bitfield. The person who suggested editing the barcode was a different subthread. The crypto is why editing the barcode doesn’t work, and the server-side bitfield protects against reuse or duplication. Seemingly they can tell which sheet the stamps came from: Theo unread, Apr 6, 2023, 6:09:26 PM Apr 6  Sign in to reply to author Sign in to report message as abuse Either email addresses are anonymous for this group or you need the view member email addresses permission to view the original message On Thu, 6 Apr 2023 08:41:18 +0100, Mark Carver wrote: > >I received a letter the other day, new barcode stamp, unfranked, and >someone had used a biro to stick a cross on it. Often seen that over the >years, don’t know who does it, but I suspect the postie, so force of habit. The ‘someone’ will have been working in the sorting office. Going back a few years, I rarely received mail with biro cancelled stamps, then the number increased considerably. I guessed that instructions had been issued for unfranked stamps to be biro cancelled when someone at RM HQ realised that unfranked stamps were being recycled but in my experience a few still escape being cancelled. I’ve had deliveries with stamps franked normally, biro franked and unfranked. I heard that Ronsol lighter fluid will release the adhesive used on postage stamps without affecting the cutouts. I also heard of a few barcode stamps being recycled and going through the system without any issues. unread, Apr 6, 2023, 9:12:42 PM Apr 6  Sign in to reply to author You do not have permission to delete messages in this group Sign in to report message as abuse Either email addresses are anonymous for this group or you need the view member email addresses permission to view the original message On Thu, 6 Apr 2023 08:00:29 +0100, alan_m wrote: >On 06/04/2023 00:46, Bob Eager wrote: >> On Wed, 05 Apr 2023 23:15:04 +0100, Dave W wrote: >> >>> Yes the code is different on every stamp. Whether they store all the >>> codes and block one that they’ve seen before, is another matter. >> >> It would be easy enough. You only need one bit per stamp. >> > >Just get the felt tip out and add a random bit to the bar coding. That’s not something you can “just” do. The pixels in the code are very small and you would have to add or subtract others to give a valid checksum. Even if you succeeded, sods law might mean your new number has already been used. – Dave W unread, Apr 6, 2023, 9:32:18 PM Apr 6  Sign in to reply to author You do not have permission to delete messages in this group Sign in to report message as abuse Either email addresses are anonymous for this group or you need the view member email addresses permission to view the original message On 06 Apr 2023 16:01:45 +0100 (BST), Theo >> On Thu, 06 Apr 2023 10:26:03, Theo wrote: >> >> > Bob Eager wrote: >> >> On Thu, 06 Apr 2023 07:54:21, Tim Streater wrote: >> >> >> >> > On 06 Apr 2023 at 00:46:38 BST, “Bob Eager” >> >> > wrote: >> >> > >> >> >> On Wed, 05 Apr 2023 23:15:04, Dave W wrote: >> >> >> >> >> >>> Yes the code is different on every stamp. Whether they store all >> >> >>> the codes and block one that they’ve seen before, is another >> >> >>> matter. >> >> >> >> >> >> It would be easy enough. You only need one bit per stamp. >> >> > >> >> > Plus bits for the code, presumably. >> >> >> >> No. Think about it. >> > >> > I’ve thought about it. How were you planning to defeat the >> > cryptographic signature that’s embedded in the datamatrix barcode? >> >> I’m not. We were talking about the RM scanner, not a private one. And how >> it records the stamps that have been used. > >Ah, sorry – you were talking about RM keeping track of which stamps had been >seen using a bitfield. The person who suggested editing the barcode was a >different subthread. The crypto is why editing the barcode doesn’t work, >and the server-side bitfield protects against reuse or duplication. > >Seemingly they can tell which sheet the stamps came from: > > >Theo Notice the enormous 16-hex-digit checksum, which would need at least 64 pixels, making any attempts at forgery not worth the effort. – Dave W unread, Apr 6, 2023, 9:43:49 PM Apr 6  Sign in to reply to author Sign in to report message as abuse Either email addresses are anonymous for this group or you need the view member email addresses permission to view the original message On 06/04/2023 19:28, Dave W wrote: > Notice the enormous 16-hex-digit checksum, which would need at least > 64 pixels, making any attempts at forgery not worth the effort. The forgers would not be too concerned that the stamps don’t pass inspection. They would only be interested in the money they make from people willing to buy fake stamps. unread, Apr 6, 2023, 9:50:36 PM Apr 6  Sign in to reply to author You do not have permission to delete messages in this group Sign in to report message as abuse Either email addresses are anonymous for this group or you need the view member email addresses permission to view the original message alan_m wrote: > The forgers would not be too concerned that the stamps don’t pass > inspection. They would only be interested in the money they make from > people willing to buy fake stamps. It would nice if RM had a website where you could scan a stamp to check if it’s genuine. Currently they just play you a video of Shaun the Sheep, which is not quite the same. (OTOH I suspect they don’t want to encourage the secondary market in stamps, so maybe just disparaging third party sources is more in their interest) Theo unread, Apr 7, 2023, 1:05:12 AM Apr 7  Sign in to reply to author Sign in to report message as abuse Either email addresses are anonymous for this group or you need the view member email addresses permission to view the original message Presumably the effect would be to stop the bar code being read properly. They may not bother about the occasional failed read, as they probably expect a few anyway. – Colin Bignell unread, Apr 7, 2023, 1:00:49 PM Apr 7  Sign in to reply to author Sign in to report message as abuse Either email addresses are anonymous for this group or you need the view member email addresses permission to view the original message In message, Peter Johnson writes > >I heard that Ronsol lighter fluid will release the adhesive used on >postage stamps without affecting the cutouts. I think that one of the ‘official’ possible uses of WD40 is the removal of sticky labels. However, you would have to wait some time for the oiliness to dissipate before you are able to re-stick postage stamps. – Ian Aims and ambitions are neither attainments nor achievements unread, Jun 25, 2023, 1:55:01 PM Jun 25  Sign in to reply to author You do not have permission to delete messages in this group Sign in to report message as abuse Either email addresses are anonymous for this group or you need the view member email addresses permission to view the original message unread, Jun 25, 2023, 1:58:45 PM Jun 25  Sign in to reply to author You do not have permission to delete messages in this group Sign in to report message as abuse Either email addresses are anonymous for this group or you need the view member email addresses permission to view the original message On Friday, 7 April 2023 at 11:00:49 UTC+1, Ian Jackson wrote: > > I tried an experiment and posted an envelope to myself with a reused but unfranked barcoded stamp and the envelope arrived a couple of days later with no problem! unread, Jun 25, 2023, 4:08:38 PM Jun 25  Sign in to reply to author Sign in to report message as abuse Either email addresses are anonymous for this group or you need the view member email addresses permission to view the original message How old you know? I was told some time ago that some kind of uv reflecting stuff is sprayed over franked stamps and of course you would need a uv lamp to see it, probably similar to those pens you can buy to mark your goods. Brian – Brian Gaff – Blind user, so no pictures please! This document should only be read by those persons for whom Paranoia is normal and its contents are probably boring and confusing. If you receive this e-Mail message in error, do not notify the sender immediately, instead, print it out and make paper animals out of it. As the rest of this disclaimer is totally incomprehensible, we have not bothered to attach it. “Dave ban” wrote in message news:[email protected]. : Reusing an unfranked stamp – technical question: illegality already assumed!

Can you still use barcoded stamps with the Queen’s head on?

Can you still use stamps with the late Queen on? – Yes, you can still use stamps with Queen Elizabeth II’s face on them. From July 31, 2023, stamps without a barcode became obsolete, so if you do still have stamps featuring The Queen, you need to make sure they have a barcode attached to the side. Stamps with the late Queen’s image on them are still valid but need to have a barcode attached (Picture: Royal Mail) Here’s how to exchange any stamps featuring the late Queen that don’t have a barcode attached, You can still buy stamps featuring the late monarch’s visage even now, as the Royal Mail has revealed that The King wants them to be fully used.

You can buy stamps featuring The King via the Royal Mail website now. A Royal Mail spokesperson said, as the BBC reports: ‘Post Offices and retailers will continue to sell their existing stocks of stamps featuring Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth and will then be supplied with the new stamps when existing stocks at Royal Mail have been exhausted.’ Director of external affairs for the company, David Gold, shared that The King instructed that stamps featuring his mother weren’t to be pulped or shredded.

Mr Gold said: ‘The King gave very clear directions he didn’t want anything to be pulped, he didn’t want things being shredded, he didn’t want stock being thrown away. The King’s stamps are now in circulation (Picture: Leon Neal/Getty Images) ‘He was very clear, however long it takes to clear the stock there’s no rush – entirely in line with his well-stated principles of waste and environmentalism.’ He added: ‘The guidance we got from His Majesty was more about continuity and not doing anything too different to what had gone before.

‘I think there’s an acknowledgement that, for 70 years, people have been so used to seeing the image of Her Majesty – even through the current image only started in 1967 – they didn’t want anything too different.’ Stamps featuring The King are also quite reminiscent of those featuring Queen Elizabeth II.

A profile image of his head and neck features on the design – and the colours are plum purple for First Class, holly green for Second Class, marine turquoise for First Class Large and dark pine green for Second Class Large. MORE : Gavin Williamson spared suspension for bullying MP over Queen funeral snub MORE : New plans reveal memorial for the Queen on what would have been her 100th birthday MORE : Do we get a bank holiday to honour the late Queen Elizabeth II on the anniversary of her death? Follow Metro across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram Share your views in the comments below

Can you reuse stamps that haven’t been marked?

Can I reuse an uncancelled postage stamp? Well, you can, but if it was already used to mail an item, you are stealing. The postage stamp is payment for a service. If that service has already been provided, you are stealing by getting another service without paying.

Are old stamps still valid?

When do old stamps expire? – Old first and second-class stamps, which do not have a barcode, will no longer be valid after the 31st of July 2023. The original deadline to use existing stamps was the 31st of January 2023, but it was extended to give stamp owners more time to get rid of them before they become no longer valid.

Do barcodes scan through pictures?

Yes, it is possible to scan a barcode from a picture using a barcode scanning app or software. These apps use the camera on your device to scan the barcode image, and then decode the information contained within the barcode.

What happens if you reuse a barcoded stamp?

Veteran Member. Makes sense having the barcodes to reduce fraud by reusing stamps as if someone tries to reuse a barcoded stamp it will flag up in a sorting office that ‘barcode has been used before’.

Can I use two old stamps?

Elevate Your Envelopes with Vintage Stamps for your Wedding Originally published February 12, 2021. Updated July 22, 2022 with new postage prices. Your invitations are tucked into beautifully that are all enclosed with a wax seal. They’re ready to be mailed to your loved ones across the country, where you expect to get texts and messages about how much people loved the envelopes and how can’t wait for your party.

But wait. There’s one more important detail before you drop those envelopes in the mail. STAMPS! In today’s blog post, I share all about vintage stamps and how can they can, I also share my favorite tip on how to control costs. Most importantly, AC Letters Calligraphy can find the perfect vintage stamps for your wedding or event and apply them to your envelopes, saving you countless hours searching the internet or sticky fingers from trying to activate the adhesive.

And time is money! Let’s dive in! Nature themed vintage postage collage on a calligraphy addressed envelope A little known fact is that USPS stamps don’t expire. Any unused stamp issued in or after 1860 can be used to mail letters. We in the business call these vintage stamps or vintage postage.

You just need to use enough stamps to equal the current price of postage. Vintage stamps can be a beautiful way to complete your calligraphy addressed wedding envelope. Like with the present day stamps, there are a ton of different stamp styles and designs. You can find large rectangular stamps, small square stamps, or even circular stamps.

There are stamp designs for probably everything you can think of – animals, places in America, celebrities, people who made an impact to the world, sports, food, nature, and more. And of course, there are stamps in every color of the rainbow. And because stamp prices have changed over time, you can use different priced stamps to create an artistic collage of different designs and styles on the front your envelope. Wedding envelopes with vintage postage For example, at the time of this blog post, the price of first-class stamp to mail a letter is 60 cents. Imagine you are sending invitations for a California seaside wedding. You can use 4 stamps – 10 cent, 10 cent, 15 cent, and 20 cent – to get to the required 60 cents.

Perhaps you pick one stamp of the California Poppy flower, one stamp of a beach scene, one stamp of a seashell, and finally one stamp that says “Love”. You have now set the stage for your wedding and told a story about your day before your guests even opened the envelope. How cool is that? You can also use vintage postage stamps to tell the story of your relationship.

Let’s say you are from California and your partner is from New York and you met at a basketball game. You could use three stamps – the Brooklyn Bridge, the Golden Gate Bridge, and a basketball player – to share the story of your history just through stamps!

How long do stamps last?

Do U.S. Postal stamps expire? No, U.S. postage never expires ; you can use existing stamps indefinitely. All postage stamps issued by the United States since 1860 are valid for postage from any point in the United States or from any other place where U.S. Mail service operates.

How do I return non barcoded stamps?

Visit your local post office OR delivery office where you can pick up a form and envelope in person. ALL delivery and post offices stock them. This means you’ll be able to fill in a form, pop it into a Freepost envelope with any remaining non-barcoded stamps and hand it over at the post office.

Can I still use old 1st class stamps?

What can I do with old first and second class stamps and when do they expire? STAMP IT OUT OLD-STYLE first and second class stamps are set to expire in 2023 as Royal Mail rolls out a new barcode system. The date to use that don’t have a barcode was originally January 31, but this has been extended until July 31.1 Stamps are changing in 2023 Credit: Alamy

• It comes after a six-month grace period was introduced to give more time to use them up.
• Old-style will become invalid after July 31.
• The will be replaced by similar stamps with a barcode attached.
• said every barcode will be unique and include the option to add security features – including information about postal services.

A Royal Mail spokesman said: “Definitive stamps are the stamps that will be very familiar to most people. They feature the profile of HM the Queen. “The barcodes match the stamp colour and sit alongside the main body of the stamp, separated by a simulated perforation line. “The new barcode is an integral part of the stamp and must remain intact for the stamp to be valid.”

Can I use the same envelope that was marked returned for postage and just add the stamp?

For this reason, we ask that any returned mail, upon being mailed again, be enclosed in a separate (new) envelope with new postage to ensure prompt processing. This also helps to avoid mail being returned to the sender a second time.

How do they know if you reuse stamps?

Mute cancellation ( killer ) – Main article: After use, many stamps are marked with a by the postal system, which defaces the stamp and prevents its reuse. The cancellation usually includes a placed on the stamp that has black bars, cork impressions or other obstructive shapes to deface the stamp.

How do you use new stamps with barcodes?

How to use barcoded stamps – You can use barcoded stamps the same way as the originals — buy a stamp, attach it to your envelope, and post it. Using the Royal Mail app, you can also select a video for the recipient to view via the barcode, Select a video to send to the letter recipient Once the envelope has arrived at its destination, the recipient can scan the barcode to watch your chosen video. In time, more innovative services will be added to the app for customers, such as the ability to send personalised birthday messages via a stamp.

Can I put tape over stamps?

Postal Bulletin 22206 > Spring Into Summer Publicity Kit

Spring Into Summer Publicity Kit District Managers, Customer Service and Sales, Postmasters SUBJECT: Spring Into Summer Publicity Kit Spring and summer are seasons of celebrations. In the coming months, our customers will be marking many special occasions — Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, high school and college graduations, weddings — and summer vacations.

NetPost CardStore Click-N-Ship ® International mail products Hold Mail Service Express Mail ® and Priority Mail ® services

Some of the press releases give a new mail twist on familiar themes, like “Graduation Tips 101” or “The Best Dressed Wedding Invitation,” and others highlight traditional postal products and services, like “Going Global this Spring” or “Going on Vacation? Get Your Mail Held With Just a Few Clicks.” An article in a local newspaper, prompted by one or more of these news releases, will let customers know we have products and services that make it easier and more convenient for them to stay in touch with family and friends and make celebrations and special occasions more memorable. Joanne B. Giordano Vice President Public Affairs and Communications cc: Vice Presidents, Area Operations FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Cards and Gifts for Mom and Dad Are Only a Click Away — With Mother’s Day approaching on May 13 and Father’s Day on June 17, now is the time to take advantage of the Postal Service’s quick, easy and convenient online services that can save you not only a trip to the Post Office but a trip to the store.

• From the comfort of your home, use your personal computer to design your very own special greeting cards that let your parents know what they mean to you.
• Go to www.usps.com and select the “NetPost CardStore” option.
• With just a few clicks you can upload a personal photo or select online graphics and add a personal message to create the perfect sentiment.

With a few more clicks you can add a popular gift card from a variety of nationally recognized retailers, in denominations from $25 to $200, and pay for it all using a credit or debit card. Within days, a beautiful card will be delivered right to your loved one’s mailbox.

You can even use NetPost CardStore for mailing to people living outside the United States. Just add a “country field” to the address list before submitting. Sign up as a NetPost mailing online customer at www.usps.com/netpost or contact customer care at 866-665-2787. Still wondering what gift to send? Shop online at The Postal Store.

Go to www.usps.com, This time, click on Buy Stamps and Shop. You’ll find a variety of gifts to suit everyone’s taste and personality, including a wide selection of stuffed animals, framed stamp art, books, games, DVDs, CDs, NASCAR jackets and toys. If your loved one’s interest or hobby is featured on U.S.

Postage stamps, then a book or framed sheets of those stamps might be a good and practical choice. For mothers, fathers, grandmothers and grandfathers who live in Latin America, DineroSeguro (“Sure Money”) is a fast and secure way to send a money gift through the mail. For information about this service call toll free 888-368-4669.

Click-N-Ship Maybe you’ve already bought Mom or Dad a gift and just need to mail it. No trip to the Post Office will be necessary if you use Click-N-Ship, also at www.usps.com, You’ll find instructions on how to pay for postage, print mailing labels, and purchase insurance or Signature Confirmation service, all using a credit or debit card.

1. You can even make arrangements for your carrier to pick it up the next day at no extra charge through our Package Pickup service.
2. A “special instructions” option lets the carrier know the package will be on a side porch or other location if the sender won’t be there.
3. Click-N-Ship is also available for mothers and fathers serving overseas and will automatically standardize available APO/FPO addresses.

Express Mail and Priority Mail Services Additional options for mailing your gift are Express Mail overnight service and Priority Mail with 2- to 3-day delivery. Express Mail service offers guaranteed overnight delivery to most locations and no extra charge for Sunday delivery. Our new Priority Mail Flat Rate Boxes make shipping more convenient then ever — no need to calculate rates, zones or weights. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Keep in Touch With Moms and Dads Serving Overseas Postmaster says nothing brightens the day more than mail from friends and loved ones. Follow these guidelines so your letters and packages are intact when they reach moms and dads serving around the world.

Use the service member’s full name. Include the unit and APO/FPO (Air/Army Post Office or Fleet Post Office) address with the nine-digit ZIP Code. Include a return address and customs declaration form (available online). For packages, print on one side only with the recipient’s address in the lower right portion. Or print a postage-paid label online with Click-N-Ship, which will automati­cally standardize your APO/FPO address. When sending packages, select a strong box with room for cushioning. If you use a recycled box, cover all previous labels and markings with a heavy black marker or adhesive labels. Cushion contents with Styrofoam or bubble wrap to keep items from shifting. Dou ble-box fragile items with cushioning inside and between the boxes to absorb shock. Remove and wrap batteries separately. Put a card inside the package listing the sender’s and recipient’s addresses with a description of the contents. Tape the opening of the box and reinforce all seams with 2-inch-wide tape. Use clear or brown packaging tape, reinforced packing tape or paper tape. Do not use cord, string or twine. Make sure you’re aware of mailing restrictions. Every country has customs regula ­tions regarding incoming mail. Generally, the following are prohibited in the region of Operation Iraqi Freedom: obscene articles, any matter depicting nude or seminude persons, bulk quantities of religious materials contrary to the Islamic faith, and pork or pork by-products. For specific restrictions and mailing rates to an APO/FPO address, call 800-ASK- USPS, consult your local Post Office, or phone the Military Postal Service Agency at 800-810-6098. Go to www.usps.com/supportingourtroops for more tips on how to keep in touch with the men and women serving overseas.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Go Global This Spring — Tips From USPS That Make It Easy Postmaster says the U.S. Postal Service is making it easier to go global with international mail. And that’s true whether you’re doing business overseas or need to reach relatives and friends outside the United States and its territories.

International mail products have had a name change. The new names, Global Express Guaranteed, Express Mail International, Priority Mail International and First-Class Mail International, have been chosen to mirror their domestic counterparts Priority Mail and Express Mail. Forget about what packaging to choose — now you can use the same packaging for domestic and international shipping. It gets even better. Skip the trip to the Post Office and reach USPS international mail products online at www.usps.com, You’ll find you can obtain postage discounts and popular flat-rate shipping options using Click-N-Ship. Use Click-N-Ship to send packages to service members overseas. When available, Click-N-Ship databases will automatically standardize APO/FPO addresses. For more information on sending letters and packages to military members, go to www.usps.com/supportingourtroops, Send a gift of money to friends or family in participating countries using Sure Money (DineroSeguro): Argentina, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua and Peru. It takes just 15 minutes. For more information, call toll free: 888-368-4669.

Apply for a new passport, or renew an expired one, at thousands of Post Offices. To find the location of a participating Post Office closest to you, log on to www.usps.com and click on Locate a Post Office. Under Options, select Passport Application Services. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Going on Vacation? Get Your Mail Held With Just a Few Clicks! — Spring is here and summer is close behind. Soon it will be time to pack the car or hop on a plane to the beach or mountains, to an exotic destination or to visit relatives.

But remember, your mail doesn’t take a vacation. To make your departure as smooth and stress-free as possible, the U.S. Postal Service offers an easy solution for holding your mail while you’re away. “Arranging to have your mail held while you’re away has never been easier,” says Postmaster, “Now, thanks to Hold Mail Service from the Postal Service, you can go online and arrange to have your mail held from three to 30 days.

Just go to www.usps.com and search for Hold Mail Service. There’s no charge for a vacation hold and the site is secure for your protection.” It takes only a few easy steps:

Log on to the Postal Service’s Web site, www.usps.com, available around-the-clock for customer convenience. Search for “Hold Mail Service.” Enter your ZIP Code at the prompt, then enter your address information and the dates the mail should be held. Make sure to record the confirmation number you’re given at the end of the process in case you need to modify the request if you come back early or if you decide to stay on your vacation a little longer.

The online service will electronically notify your local Post Office, which will hold all your mail for the time specified. Delivery resumes on your requested date. Planning to be gone a while? You may prefer to have your mail travel with you. That’s easy, too, with Premium Forwarding Service.

Now you won’t have to ask neighbors or loved ones to pick up your mail and take care of the bills. If you are planning to be away from home for more than two weeks and up to a year, for a fee you can have all your mail forwarded by Priority Mail to your temporary address. Your mail will be intercepted at the Post Office and sent to your temporary address each week.

For more information on Premium Forwarding Service, stop by your local Post Office or check the link on www.usps.com, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Graduation Mailing Tips 101 Does it feel like only yesterday when your son or daughter walked or maybe ran off to the first day of school? Graduation time is here and it’s time to plan. Whether you are throwing a party or sending your child off to college, here are some helpful reminders from the U.S. Postal Service.

Invite guests to the graduation party using personalized postcards that you create and mail online. As a special touch, these can be made using an old or new photo­graph of your favorite grad. Here’s how it’s done: go to www.usps.com and click on NetPost CardStore. Download your favorite photo, create a greeting or select one of the many prewritten greetings or online graphics options. Click to add a gift card from a wide choice of popular national retailers at denominations from $25 to $200. Put in your mailing list and select a stamp. Within days, a high-quality card will be delivered to your family and friends. Payment is easy with a debit or credit card. Remember to mail party invitations at least 10 to 14 days in advance. A well-dressed envelope is important: Did you know mail is sorted on high-speed automated equipment as fast as 35,000 pieces an hour? The machines “read” the addresses, so it’s important to print or write clearly. If there is an apartment number, be sure to include it on the same line as the street address. The last line in the address should include the city, the two-letter abbreviation for the state and the ZIP Code. It’s also convenient and fun to thank family members and friends for graduation gifts using a photo postcard of the graduate in cap and gown. Go to www.usps.com, click on NetPost CardStore, and follow the instructions above. Need gift ideas for the new graduate? At the same Postal Service Web site — www.usps.com — you’ll find great gift ideas such as plush bears, T-shirts, stationery and ever-popular gift cards from leading national retailers. If you’re still rushing to meet deadlines for college applications, send them overnight using Express Mail. Use Priority Mail Flat Rate Boxes to send “care” packages to your college-bound graduate. Fit as many items as you want in the specially marked box and pay one flat fee regardless of weight, as long as it’s less than 70 pounds. And when your college student forgets something or has an unusual request, you’ll find Priority Mail boxes come in many different sizes and shapes to meet your needs. Get them at your local Post Office. Whatever you’re mailing or shipping, Click-N-Ship at www.usps.com can save you a trip to the Post Office. It’s where you can meet all of your mailing needs, including shipping labels and postage. You can also request Package Pickup and your carrier will pick up the package from your home or business at no extra charge the following day.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Graduation Cards and Gifts — Just a Click Away at usps.com – “Sending graduation cards and gifts to out-of-town family members and loved ones has never been easier, thanks to the Postal Service’s popular online services NetPost and Click-N-Ship,” says Postmaster,

• Both services are available at www.usps.com,
• With NetPost CardStore, users can create and mail graduation greeting cards from the convenience of their home or office.
• These can be personalized with special messages and their choice of graphics, including their own photographs or artwork.
• You can even add a gift card, choosing from a wide choice of popular national retailers.

Postmaster says using NetPost CardStore is easy. All it requires are a few simple steps:

Log on to the Postal Service’s Web site, www.usps.com, at any time of day or night. Register with NetPost and go to NetPost CardStore. Create a card by selecting one of thousands of professionally designed images, or scan in your own photograph or artwork. Personalize cards online by adding a special message. Click to add a gift card at denominations from $25 to $200.

“The Postal Service will print the cards, address the envelopes, include the gift card, add a stamp and mail and deliver them,” says, “If timing is important, use Priority Mail or Express Mail service,” adds. Along with honoring the new graduate, recommends using NetPost to customize postcards that can be used as invitations to graduation parties or as thank-you notes. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Need Something to Smile About? At the Postal Service, we’re ready to spring into summer with new attractions and familiar favorite products and services at www.usps.com and in U.S. Post Offices:

Star Wars Express Mail prepaid envelopes are a fun and convenient way to send your urgent mail zooming across the universe. For a limited time only, three-packs featur­ing special 30th anniversary Star Wars graphics of Darth Vadar, Luke Skywalker and Yoda can be ordered at www.uspsjedimaster.com, Each prepaid envelope can be used to mail as much as fits inside for a flat fee of $16.25 apiece ($48.75 for the three-pack), with overnight service guaranteed to most locations. For the new bride — a price decrease. Postage to mail 2-ounce wedding invitations has been lowered from 63 cents to 58 cents. Planning the perfect wedding? Our new Wedding stamp features vines that form the shape of a heart and was specially designed for mailing wedding invitations and RSVPs. Available June 27, it comes in both 2-ounce rate (58 cents) and 1-ounce rate (41 cents) denominations. The Forever Stamp. The latest consumer innovation from the Postal Service is a stamp that will remain good for mailing 1-ounce First-Class Mail letters, now and in the future — regardless of price changes. Celebrating is easy. No special trip to the store. No envelopes to lick. No postage to buy. Not even a trip to the Post Office or mailbox. Instead, you can keep in contact with loved ones, friends and family members and even customers with customized greeting cards, gift cards, postcards and letters created online at NetPost Print and Mail Services. You can personalize these with your own message for every occasion from spring to summer: graduations, bridal showers, weddings, anniversaries, thank-you notes and summer sales. Go to http://www.usps.com/netpost and click on Stay in Touch With Family and Friends. Click-N-Ship. Skip the trip to the Post Office and have your graduation and wedding gifts, and your Father’s Day and Mother’s Day packages, picked up from your home when your carrier delivers your mail. Just go to www.usps.com, click on Shipping Tools, then click on Click-N-Ship. With a computer, a printer and Internet connection, you can print shipping labels with or without postage. Use Carrier Pickup online noti­fication to get free next-day pickup of Priority Mail and Express Mail.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: The Best Dressed Wedding Invitation: Top 10 Red Carpet Mailing Tips The wedding season officially kicks off the weekend after Memorial Day and there is good news for couples-to-be and wedding planners. The cost of postage for a 2-ounce wedding invitation has been reduced from 63 cents to 58 cents. Postmaster gives some tips and pointers for making sure that your wedding invitations — and associated save-the-date cards, response cards, wedding announcements and thank-you notes — get there on time and are all that you hoped for and more.

“Accessorize” your correspondence by using the new Love stamps, available June 27. Featuring vines that form the shape of a heart, these stamps were designed especially for mailing wedding invitations and RSVPs and are available in both the 2–ounce (58 cents) and the 1-ounce (41 cents) First-Class Mail postage rate denom­inations. Stamps are an inexpensive way to add color to an invitation and you can also use them to decorate an envelope, even on the flap (where they do not count toward required postage). Star Wars stamps issued this month may be a fun way to speed your response cards back to you. Mail your invitations four to six weeks before the wedding and make sure the return address is complete and legible. Whether you dress your wedding invitation in a traditional style or use more flamboy ­ant papers and embellished envelopes, take care with the most important accessory — the address. Provide a complete address, including apartment number, on each envelope. Confirm ZIP Codes easily at www.usps.com by clicking on Find a ZIP Code on the navigation bar. Go to the Postal Service Web site, www.usps.com, to order stamps, view and pur­chase related postal products, look up ZIP Codes instantly, learn about mailing options and calculate postage. Affix your stamps securely, but do not put tape over the stamp(s) — this invalidates the postage. If your envelope is textured, or contains decorative fibers or floral inclu­sions, you may want to secure the postage using a glue stick. Or, prepare your invitations online and mail them through the Postal Service’s NetPost Print and Mail Services — you’ll save time and money. For save-the-date cards and thank-you notes, create customized postcards at www.usps.com/netpost, Postage is included in the price, and discounts are available with every mailing. The hottest trend is to use your own artwork or photograph on your thank-you notes. Stand out in the crowd — customize your postage with pictures from your wedding. For more information go to Print Postage Online at www.usps.com, Tell family and friends who can’t make the big day about NetPost Gift Card. From the convenience of their home they can use their computer to send greetings and a gift card from a wide choice of popular national retailers at denominations from $25 to $200.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Star Wars Stamps Are the New Galactic Rage — Newly entering the galaxy are 15 Star Wars stamps destined to make greeting cards, letters and packages as unforgettable as the characters and intergalactic vehicles they feature. “I’m sure Star Wars fans will love to see one or more of the new Star Wars postage stamps on their graduation, Father’s Day, birthday and even wedding cards,” says Postmaster, “so we’ve stocked up our vaults and are ready to meet the demand.” “Because of the popularity of the movies, many believe these stamps will reach the blockbuster status of the Elvis stamp,” says the Postmaster.

A sheet of the stamps — framed or otherwise — could make the perfect gift for young and old Jedi Masters.” The new Star Wars sheet of stamps — on sale May 25 — feature Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, Han Solo with Chewbacca, Princess Leia Organa with R2-D2, C-3PO, Yoda, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Emperor Palpatine, stormtroopers, Boba Fett, the Millennium Falcon, an X-wing starfighter, Queen Padmé Amidala, Obi-Wan Kenobi with Anakin Skywalker, and Darth Maul.

Of the 15 stamp images, the Postal Service is inviting the public to vote on its favorite. To place your vote, go online at www.uspsjedimaster.com now through May 23. The winning stamp will be announced May 25 and honored with the issuance of a single stamp, which will be for sale later this summer.

The stamp sheet selvage includes the Star Wars logo and background images of a space battle, including a Star Destroyer, TIE fighters, X-wing starfighters and the second Death Star as shown under construction in Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi. The background also includes the light saber-wielding form of Darth Vader, whose helmet comprises the largest of the 15 stamps.

The back of the souvenir sheet describes the dramatic roles that each featured character or vehicle plays in the Star Wars saga. “It gets better — from now until Sept.1, 2007, new prepaid Express Mail Flat Rate envelopes feature 30th anniversary Star Wars graphics — so even your urgent documents can speed across the planet,” adds,

Can I swap old stamps for new barcoded ones?

How do I exchange my ‘everyday’ stamps without a barcode – Use Royal Mail’s Stamp Swap Out Scheme:

You can exchange non-barcoded stamps for barcoded ones. Royal Mail opened this scheme on 31 March 2022. To use Royal Mail’s Swap Out Scheme you will need to fill out a form and return any unused stamps. There are two different forms depending on the value of your stamps. One for less than £200 worth of stamps and one for more than £200 so make sure you use the correct form. You can get the ‘Stamp Swap Out’ form via the following methods:

Download and print off a form from the Royal Mail website.

Less than £200 form More than £200 form,

If you don’t have a printer, Royal Mail can send you a form in the post. Simply complete their web form, You can also request a form by calling Royal Mail’s customer services team on 03457 740740. If you want to pick up a form in person you can pick one up from your local Royal Mail delivery office or Post Office.

You are unable to directly swap stamps at the Post Office. You must complete and return the ‘Stamp Swap Out’ form along with any unused stamps to the Royal Mail freepost address provided.

What happens if you post a letter with old stamp?

When is the deadline to use old stamps? – Old stamps can be used until July 31, 2023, following a six-month ‘grace period’. The FAQs section on the Royal Mail website, states: “Mail posted with non-barcoded Definitive stamps after January 31, 2023, will for the first six months be delivered as normal, no surcharge will be raised.”

Why can’t I use old stamps?

After 31 January 2023, regular stamps without a barcode will no longer be valid. So if you can find your old ones, use them up or swap them.

Does barcode go on left or right?

Place Barcodes on Products Where you put the barcode on your package can impact the ability of scanners to read your barcode. In general, for an item scanned at checkout, you would put the barcode in the lower right-hand section of the back of the package.

1. Avoid the edge of the package, and allow enough white space surrounding the barcode to help to ensure a clean scan.
2. It’s also critical that the printed surface be smooth so nothing interferes with the scanner’s ability to read the barcode.
3. There are other guidelines for bagged items, large/bulky items, curved items, tags, and non-packaged items for checkout in addition to guidelines for items scanned in warehouses or distribution centers.

For details on guidelines for barcode placement, including illustrations with do’s and don’ts, read the Guidelines for Barcode Symbol Placement. : Place Barcodes on Products

How do you use postage stamps?

How to Mail a Letter It’s easy to send a letter through the mail! Everyone likes receiving a thoughtful card or letter from friends and family. You can send your own letter by making sure to put the right information in the correct spots. You need to place three simple things on your envelope:

A stamp: Place a stamp in the top right-hand corner of your envelope. Destination address: Who are you sending the letter to? The destination address, or the address of the person you’re sending a letter to, goes in the center of your envelope. Return address: This is your address! Put this in the top left-hand corner of the envelope.

Watch this short video to see how you can mail your own letter. : How to Mail a Letter