Do UK Postage Stamps Expire and Can You Still Use Old Ones

UK postage stamps do expire, but it's not as straightforward as you might think. The Royal Mail, the UK's postal service, has a specific policy regarding expired stamps.

Most UK postage stamps expire 12 months after their release date, but some special stamps can remain valid for up to 5 years. This is because some stamps are issued for specific events or anniversaries that may not be relevant after a certain period.

If you're wondering whether you can still use old stamps, the answer is yes, but with some limitations.

Stamps printed at self-service machines, known as Post & Go or Fastamps, are still valid to use.

You can use these stamps to send mail without worrying about them being expired or invalid.

Standard Queen's Head stamps with the big Queen's head on are no longer valid since July 2023.

You can't use non-barcoded large letter stamps, regardless of their value, after July 31, 2023.

If you send post using these stamps, the recipient will have to pay a surcharge to receive their mail.

Old stamps without a barcode can no longer be used for postage.

You'll need to swap them for the new barcoded ones.

Royal Mail will swap them for you if you send them the old stamps.

The new barcoded stamps have replaced the old ones, making them invalid.

You can exchange old stamps for new ones, but there's a catch - old, non-barcoded stamps will no longer be valid after July 31st 2023.

To swap out your old stamps, you'll need to use the Royal Mail's 'Stamp Swap Out' scheme. This service allows you to send in your old stamps and receive the same number of barcoded stamps in return.

Just print out the Stamp Swap Out Form, fill it in with the required details, and send it off with your old stamps. Make sure to write 'Freepost SWAP OUT' on the envelope, as this is a free service.

If you have more than £200 worth of stamps to swap out, you'll need to use the Bulk Stamp Swap Out Form, following the same steps as above.

You can exchange old stamps for new ones, but there's a deadline to keep in mind - July 31st 2023, after which old, non-barcoded stamps will no longer be valid.

The good news is that you can swap them out for new, barcoded ones through the Stamp Swap Out scheme.

To do this, you'll need to get your hands on the Stamp Swap Out Form, which you can print off at home and fill in with the required details.

Just attach your old stamps to the form and send it off with the envelope marked Freepost SWAP OUT.

You can swap out up to £200 worth of non-barcoded stamps, and if you have more than that, you'll need to use the Bulk Stamp Swap Out Form.

The Royal Mail's address for sending in your swap is Royal Mail, Swap Out, Tallents House, 21 South Gyle Crescent, Edinburgh, EH12 9PB.

The Royal Mail has already started featuring King Charles III on special stamps, replacing Queen Elizabeth II's head, which had been on stamps for 55 years.

These commemorative stamps, released after the Queen's passing in September 2022, showcase the King's love for gardening with flowers on them.

The final issue of stamps with Elizabeth II's head on was in February 2023, and only then will King Charles feature on regular stamps.

King Charles stamps are expected to be released in April 2023, before the coronation, marking a new era for the Royal Mail.

If you use an invalid stamp after 31 July 2023, the recipient will have to pay a surcharge.

The surcharge is £2.50 for a letter and £3.50 for a small parcel.

The recipient can refuse to pay this fee, and the letter or parcel will not be delivered to them.

You can go to your Royal Mail depot and ask to see the mail item before deciding whether to pay.