DMM Revision: Service Barcode Required for Priority Mail Open and Distribute Container Address Labels

Effective July 1, 2008, we are revising section 705.16.0 of Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®), to require the use of an electronic Service barcode on all Priority Mail® Open and Distribute container address labels.

The new standard will require mailers to use a concate­nated UCC/EAN Code 128 symbology Service barcode with a unique Service Type Code (STC) “55” and the human-readable text, “USPS SCAN ON ARRIVAL,” above the barcode on each Priority Mail Open and Distribute con­tainer address label. For technical barcode requirements, mailers should reference Publication 91, Confirmation Services Technical Guide, available on Postal Explorer® at http://pe.usps.com.

This unique barcode provides better visibility to our cus­tomers and enables us to monitor service performance based on the product.

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

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700 Special Standards

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705 Advanced Preparation and Special Postage Payment Systems

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16.0 Express Mail Open and Distribute and Priority Mail Open and Distribute

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16.4 Additional Standards for Priority Mail Open and Distribute

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16.4.2 Extra Services

[Revise the first sentence in the introductory text of 16.4.2, as follows:]

No extra services are available for Priority Mail Open and Distribute containers.***

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16.5 Preparation

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16.5.4 Tags 161 and 190 — Priority Mail Open and Distribute

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[Delete item c in its entirety.]

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16.5.6 Address Labels

[Revise the text in 16.5.6, as follows:]

In addition to Tag 157, Label 23, Tag 161, or Tag 190, USPS-supplied containers and envelopes and mailer-supplied containers used for Express Mail Open and Distribute or Priority Mail Open and Distribute must bear an address label that states “OPEN AND DISTRIBUTE AT:” followed by the facility name. Find the facility name and other information for addressing the labels, according to the type of facility, in 16.5.8 through 16.5.12.

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[Revise the title and text of 16.5.7, as follows:]

16.5.7 Address Label Service Barcode Requirement

An electronic Service barcode using the concatenated UCC/EAN Code 128 symbology must be incorporated in the address label. Mailers must prepare address labels using the formats in 16.5.8 through 16.5.12, including the service type code “55” to identify the service and the human-readable text “USPS SCAN ON ARRIVAL” above the barcode. USPS certification is required from the National Customer Support Center (NCSC) for each printer used to print barcoded open and distribute address labels, except for barcodes created using USPS Shipping Assistant. NCSC contact information, formatting specifica­tions for barcodes and electronic files, and certification are included in Publication 91, Confirmation Services Technical Guide. Mailers can use any of the following options avail­able to create a label with a Service barcode for Priority Mail Open and Distribute address labels:

a. Select a service software developer from the list of companies that have met Postal Service specifica­tions for the electronic file and barcode available at http://www.usps.com/shipping/shipsystems.htm.

b. Register and download the USPS Shipping Assistant desktop application available at http://www.usps. com/shippingassistant/.

c. Register and integrate the USPS Web Tools Applica­tion Program Interface (API) for Priority Mail Open and Distribute using your own developers, available at http://www.usps.com/webtools/.

d. Use Publication 91, Confirmation Services Technical Guide, for technical specifications and requirements.

16.5.8 DDU Address Labels

[Revise the second sentence in 16.5.8, as follows:]

***For the DDU address label, use the destination facility name, the street address, city, state, and ZIP+4 found in the Drop Entry Point View File available at USPS’ FAST Web site, https://fast.usps.com (click Reports, then Mail Direction Search, then select Drop Entry Point View from the drop down menu).***

Exhibit 16.5.8 DDU Address Label

[Revise Exhibit 16.5.8 to replace the Delivery Confirmation barcode and human-readable text above and below with a Service barcode and human-readable text.]

16.5.9 SCF Address Labels

[Revise the first sentence in 16.5.9, as follows:]

For the SCF address label, use SCF followed by the city, state, and ZIP Code found in the Drop Entry Point View File available at USPS’ FAST Web site, https://fast. usps.com.***

Exhibit 16.5.9 SCF Address Label

[Revise Exhibit 16.5.9 to replace the Delivery Confirmation barcode and human-readable text above and below with a Service barcode and human-readable text.]

16.5.10 ADC Address Labels

[Revise the first sentence in 16.5.10, as follows:]

For the ADC address label, use ADC followed by the city, state, and ZIP Code found in the Drop Entry Point View File available at USPS’ FAST Web site, https://fast. usps.com.***

Exhibit 16.5.10 ADC Address Label

[Revise Exhibit 16.5.10 to replace the Delivery Confirmation barcode and human-readable text above and below with a Service barcode and human-readable text.]

16.5.11 BMC Address Labels

[Revise the first sentence in 16.5.11, as follows:]

For the BMC address label, use BMC followed by the city, state, and ZIP Code found in the Drop Entry Point View File available at USPS’ FAST Web site, https://fast. usps.com.***

Exhibit 16.5.11 BMC Address Label

[Revise Exhibit 16.5.11 to replace the Delivery Confirmation barcode and human-readable text above and below with a Service barcode and human-readable text.]

[Renumber current 16.5.12, Markings on Enclosed Mail, as new 16.5.13, and add new 16.5.12, ASF Address Labels, as follows:]

16.5.12 ASF Address Labels

For the ASF address label, use ASF followed by the city, state, and ZIP Code found in the Drop Entry Point View File under BMC available at USPS’ FAST Web site, https://fast.usps.com.

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We will include these revisions in the next update of the online DMM on Postal Explorer® at http://pe.usps.com and in the next printed edition of the DMM.