I’ve written before about the importance of stocking up on stamps before they go up in price every year. I do this myself as I have a business that uses a lot of 2nd class large stamps. When you are using a big quantity of stamps, every penny they raise the price by, is eating into your profits. For years we’ve been able to buy them at the cheaper rate before they go up in price and continue to use them. However there is now a major shake up with 1st and 2nd class stamps. You need to use what you have got before you can’t use them anymore.
A Boost In Security
In order to boost the security around stamps, Royal Mail are making changes. They are swapping out what we see as perhaps ‘traditional’ stamps, in favour of barcoded versions. This means that you have until the end of January 2023 to use the stamps that you have. If you need to buy any stamps between now and then, it might be best to buy individually from Post Offices. You don’t want to buy books of stamps you may not use. Furthermore, they are starting to stop the sale of the stamps which will no longer but usable. Replacing them with these new ones.
Queens Head and 1st and 2nd Class Stamps
The stamps that are being affect include those which read 1st and 2nd on them. As well as those with the Queens head on there. Seasonal stamps like those Christmas ones with festive images on will also become unusable. It has been noted that those special commemorative stamps, such as the Doctor Who ones, will still be able to be used after the January 31st 2023 deadline.
Start Swapping
If you bulk bought those 1st and 2nd class stamps or have some in your cupboard that you won’t use before the deadline, you can swap them. The ‘swap out’ scheme from Royal Mail will run for a year between March 31st 2022 and March 31st 2023. You can send your stamps off to be switched for the barcoded versions. This must be done via a form on the website. So if you know any elderly people who regularly use stamps, please check in with them and let them know about the changes. You might be able to help them swap out their bulk bought 1st and 2nd class stamps too.
Check those desk drawers and kitchen cupboards for stamps which you may have bought thinking you were saving money. If you don’t get them used or swap them before the deadline you’ll not be able to use them. Stamp collectors may wish to hold onto a couple before they are phased out. However, for everybody else, use them or lose them.
UPDATE 04/03/2022 – it’s been announced that there will be an increase to the price of stamps, coming into play from 4th April 2022. The price of a first class stamp will go up 10p to 95p. The cost of a second class stamp will rise by 2p to 68p.
