Stamps which are no longer valid for postal use in the UK

Click on the image below to get your copy of our detailed update on Machin Definitive and Regional stamps in PDF (Version 2) form:- 

Commemorative and Christmas stamps will remain valid for postal use after 31st July 2023 however we are concerned that due to the sheer numbers of different commemorative stamps issued from 1971 to date that mistakes could be made leading to valid commemorative stamps being surcharged. We raised this issue with the Swap Out Team and they pointed us to a website which they appear to be using. The site is Collect GB Stamps. This site lists all of the decimal stamps issued from 1970 to 2023 and importantly clearly shows which stamps are definitive issues and those which are purely commemoratives. Perhaps we can use the content to tell The Royal Mail and Post Office staff if and when mistakes are made from August 2023 onwards.Please note we have been treating all of the small size stamps (except for Christmas stamps) as definitive stamps even though technically some of them are actually commemoratives e.g. the Wilding 50th anniversary mini sheet stamps and regional stamps from smiler sheets.Importantly the Royal Mail Swap Out Team have been swapping all of the small size stamps regardless (except for Christmas) so just be aware that perhaps all small sized stamps other than Christmas stamps might be deemed to be definitive stamps and end up being surcharged after July 2023. Royal Mail have been unable to provide a full list of stamps which will remain valid. Therefore, how this massive change will be effectively communicated throughout the Royal Mail Network and to all Post Office staff is a huge task and will no doubt take quite some time to bed in.Best wishes to all – Dave Waldie