The Postal Service™ is extending the deadline for the mandatory use of Intelligent Mail® package barcodes (IMpb) to January 28, 2013, from its previously announced deadline of January 7, 2013. This new deadline will coincide with the discontinuation of POSTNET™ barcodes for automation price eligibility.
The January 7, 2013, mandatory-use date was first announced in the September 27, 2011, Federal Register final rule (76 FR 59504-59512) and also in the November 17, 2011, Postal Bulletin (PB 22324).
Effective January 28, 2013, the Postal Service will require an IMpb on all commercial parcels (except Standard Mail® parcels) claiming presort or destination entry pricing; on all mailer-printed domestic Express Mail® labels, except those pieces paying postage through an Express Mail corporate account (EMCA); and on all mailer-printed barcoded extra service labels. In support of IMpb use, the Postal Service will also require use of version 1.6 electronic shipping services manifest files, including use of the correct ZIP + 4® or the correct destination delivery address associated with each IMpb in the mailing effective January 28, 2013. Mailers with approved exceptions will be required to use IMpb in accordance with the terms of their exception. See Postal Bulletin 22324 for information relating to the exception process.
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Pricing, 11-29-12
