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No evidence here shows that the UK is currently “flooded” with forged stamps. Royal Mail said in April 2024 that counterfeit stamps in its network had fallen by around 90% since barcoded stamps were introduced. That is a company-reported historical figure, not an independent or current estimate of how many fakes are in circulation. Barcodes are one part of Royal Mail’s security and modernisation programme—not a guarantee that counterfeits cannot exist.
What barcodes are meant to do
Royal Mail introduced barcodes on most regular definitive stamps as part of a wider modernisation programme. The company says they support operational efficiency, added security features and new customer services. A barcode can therefore help with processing and detection, but its presence alone does not prove a stamp is genuine or ensure that every counterfeit will be caught. Royal Mail’s barcoded-stamps guidance explains the programme.
On 29 April 2024, Royal Mail said counterfeits in its network had fallen by around 90% since barcoded stamps were introduced. It also described counterfeit stamps as a fraction of a percent of roughly 450 million stamps used in the UK each year. These are Royal Mail’s figures, not the result of an independent national audit or a current estimate. In the same announcement, the company said it had seized 1.5 million counterfeit stamps and helped take down thousands of online listings. Royal Mail’s 29 April 2024 announcement attributes the reduction to barcodes, added security, active detection and work with retailers, marketplaces and law enforcement.
How to buy stamps without relying on a photo
Royal Mail says photos on a website usually cannot establish whether the stamps delivered will be genuine: the pictured item may not be the one sent, and details can be hard to judge from an image. A barcode visible in a listing photo is not proof of authenticity. Royal Mail recommends buying from its own shop, the Post Office or reputable high-street retailers. Its counterfeit-stamp guidance also warns about unusually large discounts and “not for reuse” disclaimers.
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- Global Forever stamp can be used to mail a one-ounce letter to any country to which First-Class Mail International service is available
- This Global Forever stamp can be used to mail a one-ounce letter to any country to which First-Class Mail International service is available.
- ISSUED at the $1.20 price, this Global Forever stamp can be used to mail a one-ounce letter to any country to which First-Class Mail International service is available.
- Sheet of 10 GLOBAL Forever U.S. Postage Stamps 2016
- the shape of the international stamp is round and bears the words “Global Forever.”
Check the seller and whether the price looks plausible, rather than treating any single visual clue as a test. Royal Mail lists possible warning signs such as missing or uneven security ovals, unusual colouring, uneven borders, an unusually shiny surface, suspicious backing, and sheet quantities unlike its usual 25, 50 or 100. These are indicators to be cautious, not a reliable way to authenticate a stamp. If you suspect a listing or sale is fraudulent, report it through Royal Mail’s online form instead of relying on an app scan or visual inspection as a guarantee.
Which non-barcoded stamps are still valid?
Not every valid UK stamp has a barcode. Royal Mail distinguishes regular definitive stamps from special issue and Christmas stamps:
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- Each of the stamp can be used to mail an 1-ounce letter to international destinations forever- this stamp will have a postage value equivalent to the price of the single-piece First-Class International mail 1-ounce machineable letter in effect at the time of use.
- Features a Photo of a Poinsettia, taken from above to capture the beauty of the green leaves, red bracts, and yellow flowers in the center of the plant.
- Poinsettias are as much a part of the holidays as evergreens and mistletoe.
- The art director for this stamp was William J. Gicker. Greg Breeding designed the stamp with an existing photograph by Betsy Pettet.
- Each stamp has a postage value equivalent to the price of the 1 ounce machinable First-Class International letter in effect at the time of use.
| Stamp type | Royal Mail guidance | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Non-barcoded regular definitive stamps | No longer valid for postage, subject to Swap Out eligibility. | Exchange eligible stamps through Stamp Swap Out. |
| Non-barcoded special issue stamps | Remain valid for postage. | No exchange is required. |
| Previous non-barcoded Christmas stamps | Remain valid for postage. | No exchange is required. |
Royal Mail says Swap Out has no announced end date. Eligible categories include standard decimal Machin definitive stamps issued since 1971 and country definitive stamps; pre-decimal stamps are not eligible because they have no postage value. You can get a form and freepost envelope from the Post Office, but the branch cannot complete the exchange: send the stamps directly to Royal Mail. Check Royal Mail’s Swap Out guidance for current eligibility and instructions.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What happens if Royal Mail flags a stamp?
A stamp identified as counterfeit or missing can lead to a postage charge for the recipient. Royal Mail’s fee page currently lists £5 for a letter or large letter with no postage or a counterfeit stamp. It lists separate charges for insufficient postage and for using a non-barcoded stamp. These are Royal Mail fees, not automatically a fine imposed on a recipient for knowingly committing fraud. The amount and process can change, so check the current Fee to Pay page and the instructions on your own Fee to Pay card before paying or disputing a charge.
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- Brand new booklet of 20 first class stamps
- Features four flag images with words "freedom", "liberty", "equality", "justice"
- Forever stamps are always equal in value to the first-class mail one-ounce rate
- Booklet has 12 stamps on one side, 8 on the other
Royal Mail announced in April 2024 that it was adding a scanner feature to its app and an independent stamp expert to review authenticity in escalated complaints. It also announced a temporary pause on collecting the recipient surcharge until the scanner was fully deployed, while saying it would seek to charge senders where possible. The Guardian reported on 30 July 2024 that the scanner had launched, the pause had been extended at that time, and a Stanley Gibbons expert was handling disputes that had reached deadlock. Those reports describe the rollout at those dates; they do not establish that every detail is still the current process. The Guardian’s 30 July 2024 report provides the dated account.
If you think a genuine stamp has been wrongly flagged, follow the instructions on the Fee to Pay card and use Royal Mail’s current dispute process. Royal Mail’s FAQ says a recipient may be asked to pay when correct postage is missing; check the current Fee to Pay FAQ for the applicable steps. Royal Mail says stamps can only be used once, and that tape over a barcode can interfere with scanning. It also says knowingly using or distributing counterfeit or reused stamps for postage is illegal; an innocent purchase is not the same as knowingly taking part in fraud.
Quick Recap
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- A colorful African daisy graces a Global stamp from the U.S. Postal Service. This round Global stamp can be used to mail a one-ounce letter to any country to which First-Class Mail International service is available.
- As with all Global stamps, this stamp will have a postage value equivalent to the price of the single-piece First-Class Mail International first-ounce machineable letter in effect at the time of use.
- Always be equal in value to the current International 1-ounce letter postage price.
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- ✅ A LIMITED EDITION PRODUCT. PERFECT FOR SMALL INVESTMENT. The number of post stamps is decreasing and the value is increasing every year. It's like mini banknotes. Each stamp has its price on it.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
