The Postal Service™ is conducting a limited operation test of the Seamless Verification System using Friend-to-Friend Mail® postcards. Postcards will be bound into five magazines from May 2007 through December 2007. Readers can detach the Friend-to-Friend Mail postcard, write a short message to a friend, address the card, and drop it in the mail.
As shown here in the illustration, the address side of each mailpiece contains the following:
During mail processing, a POSTNET™ code will be sprayed on the address side of the postcard, and an Identification Tag will be sprayed on the reverse side of the postcard. The combination of the Identification Tag and the preprinted Intelligent Mail barcode on each postcard provides unique scan data that will allow the Postal Service™ to count each Friend-to-Friend Mail postcard placed in the mail.
Five permit imprint accounts have been established in New York City, and each permit imprint account is linked to a Centralized Account Payment System account established for the test. Postal Service Headquarters will send a billing statement to the New York City permit office indicating the amount of postage to be deducted from each permit imprint account for a certain mailing period. The permit office will enter this information into the Centralized Account Payment System.
Important: Friend-to-Friend postcards are First-Class Mail items and should be delivered as addressed. They should not be held, delayed, charged postage, or returned for postage by any facility.
Direct questions about this test of Friend-to-Friend Mail postcards to Mel Schneider by e-mail at mel.r.schneider@usps.gov or by telephone at 202-268–7436.
— Correspondence and Transactions,
Product Development, 5-24-07
