Effective November 6, 2023, the Postal Service™ will revise Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®), Exhibit 204.2.1.8, under the “Barcode Quality” compliance category entry, to reflect the Postal Service adding an Intelligent Mail® package barcode (IMpb®) validation requirement.
The Postal Service is adding a third validation that will require that an IMpb must include a valid, unique 3-digit Service Type Code that accurately represents the mail class, product, and service combination on the physical label affixed to the package.
The IMpb on the package must also correspond with electronic package level details and Extra Services Code(s) contained within the Shipping Services File. Any variance in the data presented in the electronic submission of a parcel, or a variance with the physical aspect of the label affixed to a parcel presented for mailing, will be subject to the IMpb noncompliance fee if the mailer falls below the 98-percent compliance threshold for barcode quality. The Postal Service believes these revisons will ensure IMpb quality and provide customers with a more efficient mailing experience.
Although these revisions will not be published in the DMM until November 6, 2023, the standards are effective October 1, 2023.
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 Barcode Standards
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2.0 Standards for Package and Extra Service Barcodes
2.1 Intelligent Mail Package Barcode
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2.1.8 Compliance Quality Thresholds
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Exhibit 2.1.8 Impb Compliance Quality Thresholds
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[Revise the text in the first column, “Compliance Categories,” for the “Barcode Quality” entry to read as follows:]
Barcode Quality: Checks the barcode in the manifest that passes three critical validations.
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[In the “Barcode Quality” entry add a new bullet under the two bullets in the “Validations” column to read as follows:]
n The IMpb must include a valid, unique 3-digit Service Type Code that accurately represents the mail class, product, and service combination on the physical label affixed to the package and the electronic package level details and Extra Services Code(s) in the Shipping Services File.
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The Postal Service will incorporate these revisions into the November 6, 2023, edition of the online DMM, which is available via Postal Explorer® at pe.usps.com.
— Product Classification,
Product Solutions, 8-24-23
