Effective January 26, 2014, the Postal Service™ will revise Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) to require the use of Intelligent Mail® package barcodes (IMpb) on all commercial parcels, and to require the transmission of supporting electronic documentation including piece-level address or ZIP+4® Code information. The Postal Service is also adding a DMM reference to a future requirement to use a complete destination delivery address or an 11-digit delivery point validated ZIP Code™ in the mailer’s electronic documentation.
With this change, the Postal Service takes the next step in the development of its package strategy by enhancing its operational capability to scan Intelligent Mail package barcodes (IMpb) and other extra services barcodes via automated processing equipment and Intelligent Mail scanning devices. Full implementation of the Postal Service’s package strategy relies on the availability of piece-level information provided through the use of IMpb.
IMpb offers a number of benefits to mailers by providing piece-level visibility throughout USPS® processing and delivery operations. Benefits of IMpb use include:
n Access to the best prices for the mailing of parcel products.
n A routing code to facilitate the processing of packages on automated sorting equipment.
n A channel-specific Application Identifier (AI) that associates the barcode to the payment method, supporting revenue assurance.
n A 3-digit service type code, which will identify the exact mail class and service combination, eliminating the need for multiple barcodes on a package.
n An option to use a 6-digit or 9-digit numeric Mailer ID (MID), to accommodate all mailers.
n The ability to nest packages to containers and sacks, increasing visibility for aggregate units as well as packages moving through the network.
n Access to tracking information at no additional charge for most products.
n Access to new products, services, and enhanced features.
Mailing standards currently require an IMpb on all commercial parcels, except Standard Mail® parcels, claiming presort or destination-entry prices, all parcels of any class including tracking, and all mailpieces of any shape requesting extra services. The Postal Service now advances its package strategy by implementing new standards requiring an IMpb on all remaining commercial parcels, and requiring the transmission of supporting electronic documentation, including piece-level address or ZIP+4 Code information, to the USPS.
Included in these new requirements is a per-piece price adjustment for Competitive products not complying with the IMpb standards. In addition, the Postal Service intends to apply the noncompliance price adjustment to Market Dominant mailpieces at a future date, after filing with, and receiving approval from, the PRC.
On January 27, 2013, the Postal Service implemented the initial phase of its package strategy by requiring IMpb use, including use of version 1.6 of the electronic Shipping Services File, for all commercial parcels (except Standard Mail parcels) claiming presort or destination-entry pricing, and all mailpieces including a trackable extra service.
On February 26, 2013, the Postal Service published a Federal Register, advanced notice of proposed rulemaking (78 FR 13006-13007) in which it announced its intention to require an IMpb on all remaining commercial parcels.
On July 11, 2013, the Postal Service published a proposed rule in the Federal Register (78 FR 41721-41731) to announce its proposal to require an IMpb on all commercial parcels and to require the transmission of supporting electronic documentation, including piece-level address or ZIP+4 Code information. In addition, the Postal Service proposed to implement compliance thresholds for IMpb requirements and to assess a per-piece price adjustment for non-compliant pieces.
Technical and general specifications for IMpb use are provided in Publication 199, Intelligent Mail Package Barcode (IMpb) Implementation Guide for: Confirmation Services and Electronic Verification System (eVS) Mailers, and DMM 708.5.1. Mailing standards require mailings of mailpieces bearing an IMpb to:
1. Use a unique tracking barcode, prepared in accordance with DMM 708.5.1, on each mailpiece;
2. Be accompanied by a version 1.6 of the electronic Shipping Services File (or subsequent versions) including required data elements; and to
3. Include the correct destination delivery address or ZIP+4 Code for each record in the Shipping Services File.
The Postal Service will now require an IMpb on all commercial parcels. For the purposes of this requirement, commercial parcels are defined as any item meeting the physical description of a parcel in DMM 401, or a Priority Mail Express™ or Priority Mail® piece of any shape, size, or price category entered through any commercial channel. This includes pieces with postage paid by permit imprint, postage meter, PC Postage® or precanceled stamps, and would include pieces paying postage through the Official Mail Accounting System (OMAS) and franked mail. All parcels mailed at Commercial Base® or Commercial Plus® prices will also be required to bear an IMpb. The Postal Service considers PC Postage stamp products to be similar to imprints generated by postage meter systems. As a result, mailpieces bearing postage paid by PC Postage stamp products will generally be subject to the same IMpb requirements as those applicable to mailpieces bearing postage meter imprints. As provided in the July 11, 2013 proposed rule, parcels paid at the retail price and inducted through a retail transaction, Periodicals parcels, and Standard Mail Marketing parcels sent as product samples that bear a simplified address or those that use a detached address label (DAL) would not be required to bear an IMpb. Priority Mail letters and flats using stamps for postage payment and mailpieces using Priority Mail Forever Prepaid Flat Rate packaging will also not be subject to IMpb requirements.
The Postal Service will allow, with USPS approval, domestic Priority Mail letters and flats that are prepared in a high-speed environment to use an Intelligent Mail barcode (IMb™) in lieu of an IMpb, provided each of these pieces bear a unique IMb, that cannot be reused for 45 days, and are supported by Mail.dat or Mail.XML electronic documentation. Mailers should note that mailpieces entered under this authorization must not include any extra service, including USPS Tracking™. Mailers should also note that Priority Mail pieces entered under this exception will not be eligible for automatic insurance coverage. Mailers interested in obtaining authorization under this process can contact USPS Shipping Information Systems at IMPB@usps.gov.
The Postal Service has implemented an exception process for Bound Printed Matter (BPM) parcels, and expects to implement a similar exception process for Priority Mail, to allow mailers to use Mail.dat instead of Shipping Services File version 1.6 or higher. This exception process will be tied to the scheduled upgrades to USPS systems that will allow for this functionality. The upgrade applicable to BPM parcels was completed in November 2013, and the upgrade applicable to Priority Mail is expected to be implemented in April 2014. Upon implementation, BPM and Priority Mail parcel mailers using Mail.dat may use this file format to submit electronic documentation to the Postal Service to fulfill their IMpb documentation requirements. The use of Mail.dat will not be authorized when mailers ship products and services that exclusively require use of Shipping Services File version 1.6 or higher.
The Postal Service anticipates that the majority of mailers will be prepared for the transition to general IMpb use by the January 26, 2014 implementation date. As a result, the Postal Service expects a limited need for exceptions to the basic IMpb requirements. Requests for exceptions will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Mailers requesting an exception must provide a plan to ensure compliance with standards within a defined timeframe. Beginning on January 26, 2014, any such requests must be directed to the Vice President of Sales for consideration.
The Postal Service will require all parcels required to include an IMpb to be accompanied by a complete destination delivery address in the Shipping Services File. This information is critical to the Postal Service package strategy, specifically the implementation of dynamic routing processes and processes to enable efficient package distribution. Effective January 25, 2015, mailers must include the complete destination delivery address or an 11-digit ZIP Code (validated by USPS delivery point validation (DPV®) system, or an approved equivalent) in their Shipping Services File, or other approved electronic documentation. For the purpose of the standard, the Postal Service will require a complete delivery address to include:
n Addressee name or other identifier and/or firm name, when needed to support the requirements of an Extra Service (e.g. Adult Signature, Restricted Delivery service, etc.). Inclusion of the addressee name is strongly encouraged for all products.
n Private mail box designator and number (PMB 300 or #300).
n Urbanization name (Puerto Rico only, ZIP Code prefixes 006 to 009, if area is so designated).
n Street number and name (including predirectional, suffix, and postdirectional as shown in USPS ZIP+4 Product for the delivery address or rural route and box number (RR 5 BOX 10), highway contract route and box number (HC 4 BOX 45), or Post Office box number (PO BOX 458), as shown in USPS ZIP+4 Product for the delivery address). (“PO Box” is used incorrectly if preceding a private box number, e.g., a college mailroom.)
n Secondary address unit designator and number (such as an apartment or suite number (APT 202, STE 100)). Note that when secondary address elements are used, these elements must be included in the same field of the Shipping Services File as that used for the primary address elements.
n City and state (or authorized two-letter state abbreviation). Use only city names and city and state name abbreviations as shown in USPS City State Product. (City and state is not required when the correct ZIP Code is provided in detail 1 record of Shipping Services File version 1.7 or 2.0.)
n Correct 5-digit ZIP Code or ZIP+4 Code. If a firm name is assigned a unique ZIP+4 code in the USPS ZIP+4 Product, the unique ZIP+4 Code must be used in the delivery address.
The Postal Service will require a unique IMpb on all parcels using a Merchandise Return Service (MRS) label. The USPS will continue to provide a cloud-based application to allow less sophisticated permit holders to generate unique IMpb-compliant MRS labels with a minimal level of technological capability and software support. This tool is expected to adequately assist MRS permit-holders and their customers in the generation of IMpb-compliant labels. Except for permit holders using MRS as part of a PC Postage-based returns solution, MRS permit holders will not generally be required to submit shipping manifests to support these mailpieces. MRS labels will be required to use a concatenated IMpb construct that includes the ZIP+4 routing code. To ensure that mailers have adequate time to prepare their systems and to notify their customers, the Postal Service will provide an extended transitional period for this new requirement until July 27, 2014. No noncompliance fee will be assessed for Mailing Services packages.
The Postal Service is also eliminating the option for any mailpiece meeting the physical characteristics of a parcel in DMM 401 to include postage paid by Business Reply Mail® (BRM). Over time, BRM service has evolved into a product that is operationally aligned to accommodate cards, letters, and flats. As a result, BRM is no longer an ideal product for use with parcel-shaped mailpieces. BRM permit holders who routinely receive parcel-shaped BRM returns will be required to discontinue this practice and to transition to MRS or a USPS Returns product for their parcel returns. The Postal Service will provide a 12-month transitional period until January 25, 2015, to allow mailers to obtain a MRS or USPS Returns permit. The Postal Service will file notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) of its intent to modify the Mail Classification Schedule to reflect this change.
The Postal Service will generally require all Priority Mail Express pieces entered through any commercial channel to be IMpb-compliant. This requirement would exclude Priority Mail Express pieces entered as part of a retail transaction, those mailpieces with postage paid through a postage meter imprint and using a Label 11-B, and those entered under a Priority Mail Express Manifesting Agreement (EMM) system with postage paid by a USPS Corporate Account (USPSCA). However, Priority Mail Express pieces with postage paid through a postage meter imprint and using a Label 11-B will not be eligible for Commercial Base or Commercial Plus pricing. As announced in the July 11, 2013 proposed rule, at a future date, the Postal Service expects to transition EMM mailers to the Electronic Verification System (eVS®), including an IMpb-compliance requirement. The Postal Service is signaling its intention to require eVS for EMM systems and anticipates publishing the applicable standards in the 2014 calendar year.
The Postal Service will require all Standard Mail Marketing parcels (including those paid at nonprofit prices) and all Nonprofit Standard Mail parcels to bear an IMpb, or a unique IMb. Regular and Nonprofit Standard Mail parcels mailed as product samples under DMM 443.6.0 would also be required to bear an IMpb or a unique IMb, with the exception of those using detached address labels (DAL) and those bearing simplified addresses. The Postal Service will also offer an option to use an IMb in lieu of an IMpb for all Standard Mail parcels which are presorted and containerized in 5-digit sacks or other approved containers prepared to the 5-digit level. When the IMb option is selected, each parcel must bear a unique IMb that cannot be reused for 45 days. In situations where the IMb is used in lieu of the IMpb, a Mail.dat or Mail.XML file will be accepted in lieu of a Shipping Service File.
Mailers requesting USPS Tracking service with Standard Mail parcels will continue to be assessed the electronic fee. Mailers will also have the option of affixing an IMpb-compliant mail class only tracking barcode to their Standard Mail parcels at no charge. Under either of these IMpb options, mailers must use version 1.6 or higher of the Shipping Services File, including required data elements, and must include the destination delivery address or ZIP+4 Code in the file.
Although Standard Mail parcels will be required to meet the IMpb requirements effective January 26, 2014, mailers will be provided an extended transitional period until July 27, 2014, to allow additional time for mailers to modify their systems to prepare for these new requirements, Noncompliant Standard Mail pieces will not be subject to a monetary noncompliance fee at this time.
