How Long Does a Royal Mail QR Code Last?

A Royal Mail QR code does not last forever. If you have sold something on Vinted and cannot post it for a few days, it is worth knowing how long the code stays usable and what happens when it does not.

Where to find the expiry date

Open the sold order on Vinted and tap Open QR code. The “Digital shipping label” window shows the code along with an expiry date. That date is the one to trust, because it applies to your specific order. We have seen it set a couple of weeks ahead, but check your own window rather than relying on a general figure.

What happens if it expires

An expired code will not scan at the counter. You are not stuck, though. Go back to the order and open the QR code again. If Vinted offers a fresh one, use that. If the order itself has passed Vinted’s posting deadline, the order may be cancelled, so it is best not to leave it that late.

Do not print a batch too early

If you sell a lot, it is tempting to print every code in one go. The risk is that some will expire before the parcels leave the house. Print codes close to when you will post, and keep the order number handy so you can find the right one again.

Printing it so it scans

A code that has not expired can still fail to scan if it printed badly. The most common cause is the A4 page being shrunk to fit a 4×6 label, which makes the code tiny and faint. Crop it first. Crop My Label places the QR large and centred on a 4×6, and our guide to the Royal Mail QR code label covers the rest.

Quick answers

Does the code expire if I do not use it? Yes, on the date shown in the Digital shipping label window.

Can I get a new one? Reopen it from the order. Availability depends on Vinted and on whether the order is still active.

Does a screenshot last longer? No. It is the same code with the same expiry.