Business News

Intelligent Mail Package Barcode

Tuesday 12. October 2010 - The United States Postal Service (USPS) recently published a Federal Register notice regarding the optional use of the Intelligent Mail Package Barcode (IMpb£) starting no later than January of 2011, with mandatory use of IMpb on all domestic packages by January 2012.

This is the next step in Intelligent Mail barcode services as currently IM is available only for letters and flats. This is not a final rule, and mailers are encouraged to submit their comments regarding these proposals as described in the notice.
What is a “package”?
The term “package” is used to describe any domestic mailpiece meeting the characteristics in Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) sections 101.3 (physical standards for retail parcels), 401.1 (physical standards for commercial parcels), and all Express Mail and Priority Mail mailpieces, regardless of their shape, including flat-rate items. The Barcode
The IMpb will be different than the IMb£ used for letter and flat size mailings. The proposed IMpb is a 34-digit modulated barcode that generally follows the specifications of the GS1-128 symbology. Since the GS1-128 barcode symbology is already a requirement for users of electronic Confirmation Services and the Electronic Verification System (eVS), customers currently participating in these programs will not need to change the symbology of the barcode; however the elements within the barcode and layout will change.
Detailed specifications for IMpb barcode construction are available in the “Barcode Data” section of the specification document, Barcode, Package, Intelligent Mail (USPS2000508). The most significant change in the barcode data is in the service type code. Currently, barcodes use a 2-digit service type code that can represent multiple mail classes or products, limiting the number of extra services that may be integrated into a single barcode. When two or more extra services are used, a barcode representing each extra service is usually required on the mailpiece, resulting in the need to scan multiple barcodes at delivery.
The IMpb will use unique 3-digit service type codes which identify the exact product and extra service(s) combination, eliminating the need for separate barcodes and separate scanning. A list of the 3-digit service type codes is available in Publication 91, Addendum for Intelligent Mail Package Barcode (IMpb) and 3-digit Service Type Code.
Electronic Documentation
As with IM for letters and flats, IM for packages will require mailers to submit documentation electronically. The electronic file format currently used for packages does not support the piece-level detail needed for IM, so a new file format is proposed. The new electronic file format will include expanded package identification code fields to accommodate up to a 34-digit barcode string, and will require fewer file types to support any combination of products and services. In addition, customers will be required to include the destination ZIP + 4 Code in the electronic file for all records for routing and tracking purposes. A listing of electronic file formats is located in the addendum to Publication 91.