The Postal Service™ is revising the allowable tolerance for a Mail Evaluation Readability Lookup Instrument (MERLIN) barcode readability verification to eliminate the 80–89 percent threshold. The Postal Service is also revising the process for mailers who request an appeal when a mailing processed on the MERLIN or manual barcode verification falls below the acceptable tolerance for barcode readability verification.
The Postal Service has allowed a three-tiered barcode readability verification threshold for letter and flat mailings. The threshold allows for mailings that score from 90 to 100 percent to pass the verification. Mailings with a verification result from 80 to 89 percent have additional postage calculated based on the actual percent of error applied to the total automation price pieces in the mailing. Mailings with a verification result below 80 percent have additional postage applied based on 100 percent of the total automation price pieces in the mailing. In either case, additional postage is assessed for the difference between the automation prices and the nonautomation prices. As with all verifications, mailers have the option to withdraw the mailing to make corrections or to pay the additional postage.
Additionally, mailers may request an appeal when a mailing is processed on MERLIN and the barcode readability verification result falls below the 90 percent threshold. The mail sample that was verified on MERLIN is sent via Express Mail® service to the national appeal site at the Pricing and Classification Service Center (PCSC) in New York. Upon completion of the appeal, mailers may have the sample returned via Express Mail service or directly entered into the mailstream in New York. The Postal Service bears the cost of the Express Mail shipments.
Effective May 11, 2009, the 80–89 percent threshold for barcode readability verification will be eliminated. When a MERLIN or manual barcode readability verification falls below the 90 percent threshold, additional postage will be assessed based on the difference between the automation prices and the non-automation prices for the total automation price pieces in the mailing.
Also effective May 11, 2009, if mailers desire to appeal a MERLIN barcode readability verification failure, then they must agree to pay for the Express Mail shipment (both to and from the PCSC) from their permit imprint or additional postage account. Sufficient funds must be in the account to cover the Express Mail costs. Mailers will receive a refund for the Express Mail costs for any appeal upheld by the PCSC. Mailers will not receive a refund when the PCSC denies an appeal. The PCSC will notify the mailers and the origin acceptance site of the results of the appeal and whether or not a refund is authorized.
— Business Mail Acceptance,
Business Mail Entry and Payment Technology, 3-26-09
