Effective November 16, 2017, the Postal Service™ will revise Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®), section 204.2.0, Standards for Package and Extra Service Barcodes, to update barcode standards.
The Postal Service will also revise various subsections under 204.2.0 to update standards, delete the remaining text on barcode discounts, and revise Exhibits 204.2.2.2, 204.2.2.3a, and 204.2.2.3b to update barcode images. Revised section 204.2.0 will provide guidance consistent with Publication 199, Intelligent Mail® Package Barcode (IMpb) Implementation Guide for: Confirmation Services and Electronic Verification System (eVS) Mailers.
Although we will not publish these revisions in the DMM until November 16, 2017, the standards are effective immediately.
Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)
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200 Commercial Mail Letters, Cards, Flats, and Parcels
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204 Standards for Barcoded Tray Labels, Sack Labels, and Container Labels
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2.0 Standards for Package and Extra Service Barcodes
2.1 Intelligent Mail Package Barcode
2.1.1 Definition
[Revise the fifth and sixth sentences to read as follows:]
***Electronic files must include the complete destination delivery address and/or 11-digit delivery point code for all records. Except for Parcel Return Service, a ZIP + 4 is required to be encoded into the barcode for all returns products.
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2.1.3 Barcode Data Fields
[Revise the third sentence in the introductory text of 2.1.3 to read as follows:]
***Detailed specifications are provided in Publication 199 and available on PostalPro at postalpro.usps.com.
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[Delete item b. in its entirety and renumber items c. through k. as items b. through j.]
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[Delete renumbered item c, Device Identifier, and renumber items e. through j. as items d. through i.]
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2.1.4 Physical Barcode Requirements
[Revise the introductory text of 2.1.4 to read as follows:]
Detailed physical specifications for barcodes are provided in the resource documents and Publication 199, which is available on PostalPro at postalpro.usps.com. Physical barcode requirements are as follows:
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[Add a new second sentence in item b. to read as follows:]
b. ***An X-dimension of 0.15 – 0.018 is preferred.***
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[Delete item i. in its entirety.]
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2.1.5 Print Quality Requirements
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[Revise the text of item c. to read as follows:]
c. Barcode Quality: barcodes in each mailing must be 70% grade A or B with the remaining not below a grade C.
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2.2 Other Package Barcodes
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2.2.2 Basic Elements of Postal Routing Barcodes
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Exhibit 2.2.2 Postal Routing GS1-128 Barcode Format
[Replace both barcode graphics in Exhibit 2.2.2 with new IMpb graphics.]
2.2.3 Use With USPS Tracking or Signature Confirmation
[Revise the introductory text of 2.2.3 to read as follows:]
Eligible machinable parcels may bear a USPS Tracking or Signature Confirmation barcode using one of the following options:
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Exhibit 2.2.3a Confirmation Services Concatenated GS1-128 Barcode Format
[Replace barcode graphic in Exhibit 2.2.3a with new IMpb graphic.]
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Exhibit 2.2.3b Confirmation Services GS1-128 Barcode Format Using a Separate Postal Routing Barcode
[Replace barcode graphic in Exhibit 2.2.3b with new IMpb graphic.]
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2.2.4 Use With Confirmation Services and Insurance (Integrated Barcode)
[Revise the introductory text of 2.2.4 to read as follows:]
To eliminate the need to place one barcode for USPS Tracking or Signature Confirmation and another barcode for insurance, parcels must bear a single integrated barcode, with the correct 3-digit service type code that combines USPS Tracking or Signature Confirmation and insurance, using one of the following options:
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2.2.9 Quality
[Revise 2.2.9 by adding a new second sentence to read as follows:]
***70% must be grade A or B with the remaining not below a grade C.***
2.2.10 Human-Readable Information
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[Revise the text of item b. to read as follows:]
b. For barcodes printed under 2.2.3b or 2.2.4b, the human-readable information for the concatenated or concatenated/integrated barcode must suppress the application identifiers (AI) 420 and routing ZIP Code from the human-readable text. The respective Tracking Application Identifier 92, 93, 94, or 95 must be included in the human-readable text.
2.2.11 Service Banner Text
[Revise the text of 2.2.11 to read as follows:]
Except with Certified Mail, Registered Mail, Adult Signature, Parcel Return Service, and Priority Mail Express or Priority Mail Open and Distribute services, mailers preparing extra service barcodes under 2.2 must use a “USPS TRACKING #” human-readable service banner text above the barcode on packages not requiring a signature at delivery, or a “USPS SIGNATURE TRACKING #” service banner text above the barcode on packages where a signature is required at delivery.
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We will incorporate these revisions into the November update of the DMM, which is available via Postal Explorer® at pe.usps.com.
— Product Classification,
Marketing, 9-28-17
