The Census Process is a robust method in assessing Move Update compliance. Specifically, Move Update compliance is measured across all mailings within a calendar month, as follows:
- During processing, the Postal Service identifies and records information on pieces impacted by customer filed COA records, based on the address printed on the mailpiece.
- To determine if the piece should be identified as an error, this information is compared against the filed eDoc information to determine if postage discounts were claimed on the piece and to determine if the COA “filing date” is between 95 days and 18 months of the electronic postage statement finalization date.
- Finally, the data is collected and reported on the Mailer Scorecard under the eDoc submitter CRID as well as the Mail Owner view of the Mailer Scorecard.
It is a requirement of Move Update that mailers use one of the Postal-approved methods to ensure that the addresses contained within a mailing list have been updated within 95 days prior to the mailing. A Move Update error is logged when the printed address (delivery point of the IMb) on the mailpiece has not been updated due to a COA record where the more current of the COA Move Effective and COA Create date is between 95 days and 18 months prior to the electronic postage statement finalization date. This error is derived from scans on MPE.
The description of a Move Update error is included in Table 3-3.1.1.1.
Table 3-3.1.1.1
Move Update Error Description
Move Update error percentage is calculated by dividing the number of COA errors by the number of Move Update Eligible Pieces submitted in eDoc within a calendar month.
The Census Process Move Update error threshold is defined in Table 3-3.1.1.3.
Table 3-3.1.1.3
Move Update Error Threshold
An explanation of error thresholds and the error threshold determination process is located in Appendix A of this document.
Currently, there are two alternative methods to the Move Update verification.
Mailers who can demonstrate address list accuracy at 99 percent or greater may apply for use of the 99 percent Accuracy alternative method of meeting Move Update compliance. To apply for use of the 99 percent Accuracy method, applicants must first complete and return the 99 percent Mailer Move Update Processing Order Form along with a copy of the completed PS Form 3553, CASS Summary Report. This method is not a formal exception and mailers using this alternative method will still be subject to evaluation through the Move Update Census process. See the 99 Percent Testing page found here: http://postalpro.usps.com/node/1136.
Mailers of First-Class Mail and who can demonstrate they are restricted by law from incorporating Postal Service COA information onto their mailpieces without permission from addressees may be granted an exception from the Move Update Census Process.
Mailers under Legal Restraint scenarios can request approval from the National Customer Support Center (NCSC). To qualify for Legal Restraint exemption, mailers must identify by citation the specific legal restriction, including copies of the statues or regulations that prohibit the immediate use of change-of-address information from a primary method of Move Update compliance.
The Postal Service would not perform Census Process verification on Mail Owners or Mail Preparers approved for Legal Restraint based on a list of approved MIDs/CRIDs maintained in Postal Service systems.
More information on Legal Restraint can be found in the Guide to Move Update found here: http://postalpro.usps.com/node/1116.
Any pieces with errors that exceed the Move Update error threshold may be subject to an assessment. Mailpieces exceeding the threshold will be assessed the Move Update assessment charge reflected in Notice 123 (http://pe.usps.com/cpim/ftp/manuals/dmm300/Notice123.pdf).
For assessment calculation examples for Move Update errors, see Appendix C.
