Royal Mail announced that barcoded versions of Country Definitive stamps are now available for England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The existing designs feature national icons that have been retained with the addition of a barcode in matching colour.
Each of the 12 stamps has a barcode printed in the same colour as the stamp and separated by a simulated perforation line. The barcode can be scanned by using the Royal Mail App.
There are currently two videos available by scanning the barcode in the Royal Mail App. To choose and view videos, both the sender and recipient will have to download the Royal Mail App. The sender can select a video for the recipient to watch just by scanning the stamp barcode.
Both videos - one a 'Happy Birthday' greeting and the other a generic fun animation - feature the loveable Shaun the Sheep and his friends. They were created exclusively for Royal Mail by the multi-award-winning British animation studio, Aardman.
Country Definitive stamps are available in three values: First Class, Second Class and GBP1.85 (the rate for letters to Europe up to 100 grams and worldwide up to 20 grams).
The current designs featured on the Country Definitive were introduced in June 1999 for Scotland and Wales' designs, Northern Ireland's in March 2001 and England's in April 2001. Each stamp features an image or symbol relevant to the country.
David Gold, Director of External Affairs and Policy, Royal Mail, said: 'For customers who prefer to use Country Definitive stamps, we are delighted to confirm that they will continue to be available to purchase. In line with all definitive stamps the Country Definitives now carry a unique barcode, bringing the option to send a fun video as well as a little piece of national pride on a letter.'
The England stamps feature: the Three Lions of England, the Crowned Lion of England supporting the shield of St George and the English oak, all sculpted by David Dathan.
The Scotland stamps feature: the Saltire, painted by Anton Morris, the Lion of Scotland, sculpted by Frank Pottinger RSA and the thistle, sculpted by Tim Chalk.
The Wales stamps feature: the leek, carved from Welsh sycamore by David Petersen, the dragon, forged in Welsh steel by brothers Toby and Gideon Petersen and the daffodil, created in Welsh slate by Ieuan Rees.
The Northern Ireland stamps feature: Giant's Causeway in County Antrim, photographed by Christopher Hill, the patchwork of fields, photographed by Richard Cooke and the linen slip case, courtesy of the Irish Linen Centre and Lisburn Museum with photography by David Pauley.
Stamps are available from today at www.royalmail.com/stamps or in Post Offices located in the country of choice.
Non-barcoded Definitive stamps will remain valid until 31 January 2023. Customers are encouraged to use their non-barcoded stamps before this date. Alternatively, non-barcoded stamps can be exchanged for the new barcoded version through Royal Mail's 'Swap Out' scheme.
The 'Swap Out' scheme opened on 31 March 2022. Customers will be able send unused stamps via a Freepost address. Forms are available via a variety of channels, including local Customer Service Points, the Royal Mail website and the Customer Experience team.
About Royal Mail plc
The Group consists of two principal operations; our UK-based operation which includes Royal Mail and Parcelforce Worldwide (Royal Mail) and our international operation, General Logistics Systems (GLS). Royal Mail is the leading provider of postal and delivery services in the UK and the UK's designated universal postal service provider. Through the Royal Mail Core Network, the company delivers a one-price-goes-anywhere service on a range of parcels and letters products. Royal Mail has the capability to deliver to more than 31 million addresses in the UK, six days a week (excluding UK public holidays). Parcelforce Worldwide operates a separate UK network which collects and delivers express parcels. General Logistics Systems (GLS) operates one of the largest ground-based, deferred parcel delivery networks in Europe.
Contact:
Royal Mail Press Office
Email: press.office@royalmail.com
INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTIONS SERVICES PLC 
