Postage stamps will become worthless in three days as new design comes in – but they can be swapped for new ones

Britons have just three days left to use or swap their old stamps before they become worthless from July 31.

The Royal Mail is changing its stamp design to include a barcode as well as the traditional photo of the monarch’s head. 

The barcode is to help the stamps be used with the Royal Mail app. 

Old stamp designs without the barcode cannot be used after July 31 – or the person getting the post risks a charge of £1.10.

However, the Royal Mail will let people with older stamps use them before the deadline or swap them for the new barcoded ones.

However, some old stamps can still be used past the July 31 deadline, such as special edition stamps.

Swap them out: From July 31 you won’t be able to use older stamps such as these any more

Here is everything you need to know about how postage stamps are changing and what you need to do.

Which stamps are changing?

The stamps that have changed to include a barcode are regular 1st and 2nd class stamps.

These feature the profile of the late Queen Elizabeth II or King Charles III on a plain coloured background.

Which stamps are not changing? 

Non-barcoded Christmas and other special stamps with pictures on can still be used after July 31.

Picture perfect: Christmas stamps and those with images on, such as these, can still be used after July 31

Matthew Parkes, Royal Mail managing director, stamps and collectibles, says: ‘As we approach the 31 July deadline, we encourage our customers to use-up any non-barcoded stamps before it is too late.

‘Customers who cannot use their non-barcoded stamps before July 31 will still be able to swap them for new barcoded stamps through Royal Mail’s simple and free Swap Out scheme. Nobody should be out of pocket as a result of this change.’

How can I swap my old stamps?

Royal Mail has a Stamp Swap Out scheme which will allow you to exchange your old stamps for new barcoded versions.

You’ll need to pick up or print out a form to do this, then complete it and send it off with your stamps.

If you have a printer, you can find the forms here.

If you don’t a printer, you can request a Stamp Swap Out form be posted to you by completing a form found here. 

Stamp Swap Out forms are also available at your local Post Office.