DMM Revision: New Intelligent Mail Barcode Options

The Postal Service™ is providing new Intelligent Mail^® barcode placement options for participating Address Change Service (ACS) mailers. With this change, mailers who use OneCode ACS™ will have the option to place Intelligent Mail barcodes in any location where POSTNET™ barcodes are currently allowed.

These changes will be incorporated into the Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM^®) 202 and 507.3 in our November update as noted below. Mailers are encouraged to make the related changes to their mailings as soon as possible.

Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)

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200 Discount Letters and Cards

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202 Elements on the Face of a Mailpiece

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5.0 Barcode Placement

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5.2 General Barcode Placement for Letters

[Revise the second and third sentences of 5.2 as follows to expand placement options for Intelligent Mail barcodes:]

***Mailers must print the barcode either in the address block or in the barcode clear zone, except for pieces that weigh more than 3 ounces which must include the barcode in the address block. See 5.6 when placing barcodes in the address block.

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5.6 Barcode in Address Block

When the barcode is included as part of the address block:

a. The barcode must be placed in one of these positions:

[Revise item a2 of 5.6 to provide the following options for Intelligent Mail barcode placement:]

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2. Below the city, state, and ZIP Code line.

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500 Additional Mailing Services

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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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3.2.6 Additional Standards—When Using Intelligent Mail Barcodes

***Mailpieces must meet the following specifications:

[Revise item a of 3.2.6 to remove the Intelligent Mail bar­code placement restriction as follows:]

a. Letter-size mailpieces must be automation-compatible.

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We will incorporate these revisions 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, 11-8-07