INTELLIGENT MAIL^® BARCODE (IM)

The Postal Service will implement the Intelligent Mail^® barcode to qualify for automation discounts in May 2009. Postal Service will continue to support the use of the POSTNET barcode for encoding the delivery point barcode for automation discount eligibility, the PLANET Code barcode for encoding tracking information for Confirm, and alphanumeric characters for conveying participant code and Keyline information for ACS until May 2011.

At the present time, use of the Intelligent Mail^® barcode is optional; however, many customers have found that, because it offers significant advantages over POSTNET and PLANET Code barcodes such as including using less mailpiece “real estate”, offering more overall data capacity and support of new services and discounts, it makes good business sense to use this new format.

So what does all this mean?

For starters, all of the endorsement information that had to be printed over the address block when using the POSTNET barcode will no longer be needed, because that information will be included in the Intelligent Mail^® Barcode. (IM Barcode) That means your mail will look “cleaner” to the recipient and won’t scream “JUNK MAIL”.

There are basically three options to use the IM Barcode: 

Non automation is the first option; mailers can use the IM Barcode on mail pieces that do not qualify for the automation prices.

Basic is the second option; mailers use the Intelligent Mail^® barcode on their letter and flat-sized mail pieces. They include the CASS delivery point information that was a part of POSTNET barcodes, class of mail information and endorsement information. The result is a cleaner looking mail piece as well as a more deliverable mail piece.

Full Service is the third option; Full-service mailings require unique Intelligent Mail^® barcodes on mail pieces, unique Intelligent Mail^® tray labels used on trays and sacks, and unique Intelligent Mail^® container labels used on pallets or other containers (when containerized). The mailer must be able to transmit documentation to the USPS that links each mail piece with its unique identifier to the tray, sack and pallet unique identifier. Full service includes ACS service, “Start the Clock” in which the USPS records the time and date of acceptance, the mailer can determine how long delivery takes and COA service for change of address information.

The following table shows, by price categories, the availability of full-service features. 

A checkmark in the ACS column means that pieces of the mail category shown in the left column that are prepared in accordance with the full-service standards can receive ACS notifications at no extra charge.  An "x" means that if ACS is available, the applicable ACS prices apply.

A checkmark in the Price column means that pieces of the mail category in the left column that are prepared in accordance with the full-service standards are eligible for the applicable price differential in the Fall of 2009.  Those price differentials, which may vary by mail category, will be included in the prices expected to be announced in February 2009.

While "Start-the-Clock" applies to a mailing, a checkmark means that a full-service mailing with volume from the mail category in the left column would generate Start-the-Clock information that would be provided to the Mail Owner and Mail Preparer.  An "x" means that a mailing made up exclusively of this mail category is not eligible for the full-service option.

The following are among those not eligible for full-service benefits or prices:

• First-Class Mail letters and flats mailed at nonautomation presorted prices
• First-Class Mail letters and flats mailed at single-piece prices
• Letters of any class mailed at nonautomation prices (either machinable or nonmachinable)
• Periodicals nonbarcoded letters and flats
• Standard Mail flats mailed at nonautomation prices
• Standard Mail flats mailed at saturation ECR prices
• Bound Printed Matter nonbarcoded flats

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