MSE News
Royal Mail U-turn means Christmas stamps CAN still be used after 2023 despite shift to barcode system
If you have old Christmas stamps you CAN continue to use them after 31 January 2023 following a Royal Mail U-turn. The postal service had initially announced, as part of a wider shake-up, that Christmas stamps would be replaced by new barcoded versions from 31 January 2023. This would have rendered old festive stamps useless unless swapped.
Update: 4 August 2022: You've now got less than six months to use any non-barcoded everyday stamps – those with the Queen's profile on – before they become worthless on 31 January 2023. Alternatively, you can swap them for barcoded versions for free using Royal Mail's 'Swap Out' scheme. See our latest Stamps shake-up MSE News story for full info and help.
But while Royal Mail says it will still add a barcode to new Christmas stamps, it's confirmed that "following discussions with key stakeholders, including feedback from our customers", non-barcoded Christmas stamps will remain valid.
The U-turn means you can continue to use Christmas and "special" commemorative stamps, such as the Doctor Who collection, after 31 January 2023 – and they don't need to be swapped for barcoded alternatives.
Any other stamps, however, including all those with the Queen's head on them that say '1st' or '2nd' class, or any other price, will not be valid after 31 January 2023. You will need to swap them for a barcoded version (see below for more on this) or pay an as-yet-undisclosed surcharge to continue to use them.
Royal Mail first announced the shake-up to switch to using barcoded stamps on 1 February 2022.
You'll be able to 'swap out' old stamps for free
It'll be possible to exchange current stamps for barcoded ones for free under Royal Mail's new 'Swap Out' scheme, which opens on 31 March 2022 and will run until 31 March 2023.
MSE weekly email
FREE weekly MoneySaving email
For all the latest deals, guides and loopholes simply sign up today – it's spam-free!
Join the MSE Forum discussion
Related Articles
-
On non-smart prepay for energy? What to do if you didn't get your £66 or £67 Government help voucher – or if you're struggling to redeem it
7 March 2023![]()
If you pay for energy by topping up and you're on a traditional (non-smart) meter, you should've received at least two £66 government energy support vouchers by now. Here's what you can do if you haven't got yours – or if you're having problems redeeming them. -
Martin Lewis: Postpone the planned cuts to Government energy support
3 March 2023![]()
MoneySavingExpert founder Martin Lewis has today written to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt urging him to keep the energy price guarantee (EPG) at a typical £2,500/year, rather than hiking it to £3,000/year from 1 April as planned. See the letter in full below. -
Octopus Agile – is it now an energy tariff worth switching to?
28 February 2023![]()
Under the Energy Price Cap and Energy Price Guarantee almost every tariff has been charged at the same price in recent months, but there are now two tariffs from Octopus Energy worth considering – 'Agile Octopus' and 'Octopus Tracker'. The Tracker tariff has a six-month waiting list, so we're focusing on Agile for now. It's not right for everyone, but if you use the tariff the right way, it could mean big savings. We've full info below.
22 March 2023
-
Beat April price hikes
Martin's 11 must-do NOWs
-
Superfast fibre '£18/month'
Broadband hikes are coming
-
15GB data Sim for '£5/month'
Or '£9/month' for 100GB
-
Tesco Clubcard triple-up axed
3 months left to max gains
-
FREE £50 investment
It's back!
-
'Got a Power of Attorney?'
'It's probably more important than a will'
-
Important Budget briefing
Including Martin's video summary
-
Read the full email
For all the latest deals, guides and loopholes simply sign up today – it's spam-free!
-
Ovo launches one-year fixed tariff – but is it worth switching to?
24 March 2023![]()
Almost every household has been charged the same price for their energy over the last year under the Energy Price Cap (EPC) and the Energy Price Guarantee (EPG), with no cheaper fixed deals to switch to. That has now changed, with Ovo launching a one-year fix for existing customers that undercuts the EPG level of £2,500 a year. -
BT customers 'forced into overdrafts' after duplicate payment error - here's what you need to know
24 March 2023![]()
BT customers have complained that they've been forced into overdrafts after payments were wrongly taken twice this month. The telecommunications giant said it will refund any duplicate payments taken automatically. -
Martin Lewis: Four urgent ways you may be due £1,000s in tax back – if you're married, had a PPI payout, wear a work uniform or even just pay tax
23 March 2023![]()
If you're married or in a civil partnership, have ever had a PPI payout, wear a uniform to work or pay any income tax, you could be due £100s or even £1,000s in tax back – but you'll need to check urgently. -
Bank of England increases base rate to 4.25% – what the rise means for your mortgage and savings
23 March 2023![]()
The Bank of England has increased the base rate from 4% to 4.25%. This rate is used by the central bank to charge other banks and lenders when they borrow money – and so it influences what borrowers pay and what savers earn. -
Broadband and mobile users to be hit with price hikes of up to 17.3% in April – here's what you need to know
23 March 2023![]()
Millions of BT, EE, O2, Plusnet, Shell, Sky, TalkTalk, Three, Virgin Media and Vodafone customers will be hit with price hikes of up to 17% this spring, on the back of a sharp increase in the cost of living.
-
Martin Lewis: Is it time to ban unnecessary Christmas presents?
5 December 2022![]()
Update September 2017: It’s eight years since I first braved this subject, expecting a snowstorm of protest. Instead, year after year more join in, like Julia who recently tweeted me, “@MartinSLewis, finally took your advice and told my family I can’t afford Christmas presents. What a weight off my mind. Thank you.” One year even the Archbishop of... -
Martin Lewis: The one thing everyone aged over 66 needs to know
29 November 2022![]()
It is a national tragedy that getting on for a million pensioners, many of whom have been paying into the system for years, are missing out on a critical boost to their income. It's called pension credit, and this year it also means you get an extra £650 to help with energy bills.
.png.rendition.320.320.png)
Clever ways to calculate your finances
