Effective May 1, 2007, the Postal Service™ encourages mailers to use Intelligent Mail® barcodes by allowing their use on automation-rate First-Class Mail®, Periodicals, Standard Mail®, and Bound Printed Matter flat-size mailpieces for rate eligibility in lieu of POSTNET™ barcodes. We also will allow First-Class Mail, Periodicals, Standard Mail, and Bound Printed Matter flats with Intelligent Mail barcodes to participate in Confirm® service, and First-Class Mail and Periodicals flats with Intelligent Mail barcodes to participate in OneCode ACS™. We will revise parts 302, 333, 343, 363, 503, 507, 707, and
of the Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) to incorporate these changes in our next update of the DMM.
Automation-rate flats are required to have a valid ZIP+4® or delivery point barcode. As of March 1, 2007, mailers have been able to use either type of barcode — an Intelligent Mail barcode or a delivery point barcode — on automation-rate letters. Allowing mailers to use Intelligent Mail barcodes on automation-rate flats encourages greater use of this information-rich barcode.
When mailers choose to use the Intelligent Mail barcode on flats, they must include coding for an optional endorsement line and an assigned numeric Business Entity Identifier (BEI). To obtain a BEI, OneCode ACS subscribers should contact the ACS department at the National Customer Support Center at 800-331-5746. Confirm subscribers approved for OneCode Confirm™ should incorporate their Confirm Subscriber ID (which is their BEI) when using Intelligent Mail barcodes. OneCode Confirm subscribers can contact Confirm Customer Assistance at 800-238-3150 or refer to Publication 197, Confirm Service Featuring OneCode Confirm, for specific instructions. Mailers printing the Intelligent Mail barcode solely for automation rate eligibility should contact the PostalOne!® Help Desk at 800-522-9085 to obtain a BEI. Complete specifications for Intelligent Mail barcodes are defined in the USPS® publication: USPS-B-3200, which is available for download at http://ribbs.usps.gov/OneCodeSOLUTION/.
Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)
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300 Discount Flats
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302 Elements on the Face of a Mailpiece
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4.0 Barcode Placement
[Revise 4.1 and 4.2 to allow Intelligent Mail barcodes as follows:]
4.1 General Barcode Placement for Flats
On any flat-size piece claimed at automation rates, the piece may bear one POSTNET barcode or Intelligent Mail barcode under 4.2 or it may bear two POSTNET barcodes under 4.3. Other mailer-applied non-USPS barcodes may appear on the address side of the piece if the barcode format is not detectable or confusing to automated postal equipment.
4.2 Applying One Barcode
On any flat-size mailpiece claimed at an automation rate, the barcode may be anywhere on the address side as long as it is at least 1/8 inch from any edge of the piece. The portion of the surface of the piece on which the barcode is printed must meet the barcode dimensions and spacing requirements in 708.4.2.5, and the reflectance standards in 709.4.4. Intelligent Mail barcodes are subject to standards in 708.4.3.2. Address block barcodes are subject to the standards in 708.4.6a. through 708.4.6e.
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330 First-Class Mail
333 Rates and Eligibility
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5.0 Additional Eligibility Standards for Automation Rate First-Class Mail Flats
5.1 Basic Standards for Automation First-Class Mail
All pieces in a First-Class Mail automation rate mailing must:
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[Revise item e by adding the option of an Intelligent Mail barcode as follows:]
e. Bear an accurate barcode meeting the standards in 708.4.0, a ZIP+4 barcode, a delivery point barcode (DPBC), or an Intelligent Mail barcode with a ZIP+4 or delivery point routing code, either on the piece or on an insert showing through a barcode window.
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340 Standard Mail
343 Rates and Eligibility
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7.0 Additional Eligibility Standards for Automation Rate Standard Mail Flats
[Revise title of 7.1 as follows:]
7.1 Basic Eligibility Standards for Automation Rate Standard Mail
All pieces in a Regular Standard Mail or Nonprofit Standard Mail automation rate mailing must:
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[Revise item e by adding the option of an Intelligent Mail barcode as follows:]
e. Bear an accurate ZIP+4 or delivery point barcode, or Intelligent Mail barcode with a ZIP+4 or delivery point routing code, meeting the standards in 302.4.0, Barcode Placement and 708.4.0, Barcoding Standards for Letters and Flats, either on the piece or on an insert showing through a window.
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360 Bound Printed Matter
363 Rates and Eligibility
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5.0 Additional Eligibility Standards for Barcoded Bound Printed Matter Flats
5.1 Basic Eligibility Standards for Barcoded Bound Printed Matter
[Revise 5.1 by adding a new second sentence to allow Intelligent Mail barcodes as follows:]
The barcode discount applies only to BPM flat-size pieces that bear a correct, readable ZIP+4 or delivery point barcode (DPBC) under 708.4.0, Barcoding Standards for Letters and Flats, for the ZIP+4 code or numeric DPBC of the delivery address. Instead of ZIP+4 Codes or DPBCs, pieces may bear Intelligent Mail barcodes (under 708.4.0) containing a ZIP+4 or delivery point routing code for the delivery address.***
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500 Additional Mailing Services
503 Extra Services
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13.0 Confirm Service
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13.3 Barcodes
13.3.1 General Barcode Requirement
[Revise the introductory text of 13.3.1 to allow Intelligent Mail barcodes on flats as follows:]
At the time of mailing, each piece in a mailing that is intended to generate Confirm service information must bear a customer-applied PLANET Code barcode under 13.3.4 or an Intelligent Mail barcode under 13.3.2. Instead of a PLANET Code barcode, mailers may apply an Intelligent Mail barcode, under 708.4.0, on letters or flats. Mailers must apply barcodes that meet the applicable specifications in 708.4.0 and the following standards:
a. Origin Confirm pieces must bear:
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[Revise item a3 by adding the option of using an Intelligent Mail barcode as follows:]
3. For other flat-size reply mail, the piece must bear both a PLANET Code barcode and a POSTNET barcode that correctly corresponds to the delivery address. Mailers may use an Intelligent Mail barcode under 13.3.2 and 708.4.0 instead of using a PLANET Code barcode and POSTNET barcode.
[Revise item b to allow an Intelligent Mail barcode on all destination Confirm pieces as follows:]
b. Destination Confirm pieces must bear either an Intelligent Mail barcode or a PLANET Code barcode. If required by the rate claimed at the time of mailing, Intelligent Mail barcodes must correctly correspond to the delivery address. Mailers not using an Intelligent Mail barcode for Destination Confirm must use PLANET Code and POSTNET barcodes under these conditions:
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13.3.2 Intelligent Mail Barcodes
[Revise 13.3.2 to allow Intelligent Mail barcodes on flats as follows:]
Customers participating in OneCode Confirm may apply Intelligent Mail barcodes on letter-size pieces or on flat-size pieces meeting automation-compatibility standards in 201.3.0 (letters) or 301.3.0 (flats). Do not apply a PLANET Code barcode to any mailpiece with an Intelligent Mail barcode. Only one Intelligent Mail barcode may appear on each piece, according to the standards below.
a. Intelligent Mail barcodes meeting all applicable standards may be used in lieu of POSTNET barcodes. When using an Intelligent Mail barcode on letter-size pieces for rate eligibility and OneCode Confirm, place the barcode in any position permitted in 202.5.0.
b. When using an Intelligent Mail barcode on letter-size pieces only for OneCode Confirm, place the barcode according to 202.5.0 or directly above the address block with the top of each bar less than 4 inches from the bottom of the mailpiece.
c. When using an Intelligent Mail barcode on flat-size pieces, place the barcode according to 302.4.0.
d. Mailers must generate Intelligent Mail barcodes by the same method used to receive USPS barcode certification during the application process in 13.2.3.
e. Intelligent Mail barcodes must meet the barcode and format standards in 708.4.0 and in Specification USPS–B–3200, at http://ribbs.usps.gov/OneCodeSOLUTION/ .
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507 Mailer Services
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3.0 Address Correction Services
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3.2 Address Change Service (ACS)
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[Revise title and text of 3.2.6 to allow Intelligent Mail barcodes on flats and on Periodicals letters as follows:]
3.2.6 Additional Standards — When Using Intelligent Mail Barcodes
Mailers can access OneCode ACS using Intelligent Mail barcodes, which are capable of encoding a valid Service Type Identifier indicating the ancillary service requested, a numeric Business Entity Identifier (the equivalent of a participant code), and a unique numeric mailpiece identifier (keyline). This option is available for First-Class Mail and Periodicals letters and flat-size mailpieces only. “Address Service Requested” ancillary service is available on First-Class Mail and Periodicals flats and letters when using the Intelligent Mail barcode. Periodicals not requesting Address Service Requested will receive their current option of address correction notifications. The Service Type Identifier will indicate the ancillary service requested. Service Type Identifiers to request “Change Service Requested” ancillary service are available for First-Class Mail flats only. Printed endorsements must not be used to request these ancillary services in conjunction with an Intelligent Mail barcode. Mailpieces must meet the following specifications:
a. Letter-size mailpieces must be automation-compatible. The Intelligent Mail barcode must appear at the top of or above the address block and must contain the correct delivery point routing code that corresponds to the delivery address.
b. Flat-size mailpieces may be mailed at nonautomation or automation rates.
c. If using a window envelope, maintain a clearance between the leftmost and rightmost bars and any printing or window edge of at least 1/8 inch, and maintain a clearance between the Intelligent Mail barcode and the top and bottom window edges of at least 1/25 inch. These clearances must be maintained during the insert\'s range of movement in the envelope.
d. The Intelligent Mail barcode must contain an 11-digit delivery point code.
e. The Intelligent Mail barcode must meet the technical specifications as described in 708.4.2 and USPS publication, Specification USPS-B-3200.
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700 Special Standards
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707 Periodicals
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14.0 Automation Rate Eligibility
14.1 Basic Standards
14.1.1 General
All pieces in a Periodicals automation rate mailing must:
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d. Bear an accurate barcode matching the delivery address and meeting the standards in 708.4.0, under these conditions:
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[Revise item d2 by adding the option of an Intelligent Mail barcode as follows:]
2. If a flat: the mailer may use a ZIP+4 barcode, a DPBC, or an Intelligent Mail barcode with a ZIP+4 or delivery point routing code, under 708.4.0. Mailers may apply the barcode either on the piece or on an insert showing through a window.
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708 Technical Specifications
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4.0 Barcoding Standards for Letters and Flats
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4.3 Intelligent Mail Barcodes
4.3.1 Definition
[Revise 4.3.1 by adding flats for rate eligibility, with the inclusion of optional endorsement line information, as follows:]
An Intelligent Mail barcode is the USPS-developed barcode that mailers use to encode routing and tracking information on mail that can be read by automated mail processing equipment to sort mail and to provide tracking information to the mailers. An Intelligent Mail barcode consists of 65 vertical bars, each representing one of four possible states: full bar, ascender, tracker, and descender. These 65 bars encode a string of 31 digits, divided into two parts: a 20-digit tracking code and an 11-digit routing code (when required). The 11-digit routing code may contain a ZIP Code, a ZIP+4 Code, or a delivery point code, unless required to contain a certain level of code in specific applications; no correction digit is needed within an Intelligent Mail barcode. Mailers may use Intelligent Mail barcodes as follows:
a. When used on letters for automation-rate eligibility purposes, the routing code must contain a delivery point code that accurately matches the delivery address.
b. When used on flat-size pieces for automation-rate eligibility purposes, the barcode must contain either a ZIP+4 or a delivery point routing code that accurately matches the delivery address. When flat-size pieces bear an Intelligent Mail barcode for automation rate eligibility, the barcode on a piece that contains an optional endorsement line (OEL) must contain OEL coding that includes information in exhibit 708.7.1.1 corresponding to the correct sortation level of each bundle. The OEL information in the Intelligent Mail barcode is required in addition to a physical OEL. See the Intelligent Mail Barcode Resource Guide available at http://ribbs.usps.gov/OneCodeSOLUTION for more information on incorporating OELs in Intelligent Mail barcodes.
c. Mailers must incorporate the Business Entity Identifier (BEI) code in the Customer Identifier field. To obtain a BEI, OneCode ACS subscribers can contact the ACS department at the National Customer Support Center at 1-800-331-5746. Confirm subscribers approved for OneCode Confirm must incorporate their Confirm Subscriber ID (which is their BEI) when using Intelligent Mail barcodes. OneCode Confirm subscribers can contact Confirm Customer Assistance at 1-800-238-3150 or refer to Publication 197 for specific instructions. Mailers printing the Intelligent Mail barcode solely for automation rate eligibility can contact the PostalOne! Help Desk at 1–800–522–9085 to obtain a BEI.
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7.0 Optional Endorsement Lines (OELs)
7.1 OEL Use
7.1.1 Basic Standards
[Revise 7.1.1 to require an imbedded OEL on flats when an Intelligent Mail barcode is used for automation rate eligibility as follows:]
An optional endorsement line (OEL) may be used to label bundles instead of applying pressure-sensitive bundle labels or facing slips to the top piece of bundles. The OEL must show carrier route information or the type of bundle and ZIP Code information as shown in Exhibit 7.1.1, OEL Formats. Use of OELs on bundles is subject to the standards for the rate claimed. At the mailer\'s option, pieces in trays of noncarrier route automation letter-size mail may bear OEL information that corresponds to the sortation level of the tray in which the pieces are placed. The ZIP Code for use on OELs must include the 3-digit ZIP Code prefix or 5-digit ZIP Code as required. OELs are required under the following conditions:
a. OELs are required with 5-digit scheme and 3-digit scheme bundles.
b. When flat-size pieces bear an Intelligent Mail barcode (under 708.4.3) for automation-rate eligibility purposes, the barcode on a piece that contains an optional endorsement line (OEL) must contain OEL coding that includes information in exhibit 708.7.1.1 corresponding to the correct sortation level of each bundle. The OEL information in the Intelligent Mail barcode is required in addition to a physical OEL. See the Intelligent Mail Barcode Resource Guide available at http://ribbs.usps.gov/OneCodeSOLUTION for more information on incorporating OELs in Intelligent Mail barcodes.
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We will incorporate this revision into the next printed version of the DMM and into the monthly update of the online DMM available via Postal Explorer® at http://pe.usps.com.
— Mailing Standards,
Pricing and Classification, 3-29-07
