Intelligent Mail Barcode Specification (PDF/646KB)
Learn about the data content to be encoded, encoding rules to produce bars from data fields, physical dimensions of printed barcodes, and physical limitations on printing. The specification document (USPS-B-3200) also covers how the encoding and decoding algorithms work and provides sample programming code.

Online Encoder/Decoder
Use this online tool to quickly Decode (convert a sequence of bars into meaningful tracking and delivery point ZIP^® information) or Encode (generate a barcode based on tracking and delivery point ZIP information) the Intelligent Mail barcode.

List of Intelligent Mail Barcode Resources (PDF/103KB)
Get information about the tools and applications available to you from the Postal Service™ as well as from vendors for creating and validating the Intelligent Mail barcode.

Encoder Software and Fonts
The Postal Service provides software support for 24 combinations of language environments (C, Java 2, COBOL, and PL/1) on 9 unique platforms (z/OS, VSE/ESA, OS/400, AIX, Linux, Solaris, HP/UX, Mac, and Windows). For printing Intelligent Mail^® barcodes in a production environment, a variety of Intelligent Mail barcode fonts are available for 5 major production printing environments: AFP (MVS, AS/400, VM, VSE), HP PCL, PostScript, Xerox Metacode, and TrueType. .

The 2005 Bureau of Census report showed for your ending March 2005 that 39.9 million Americans charged residences. This study shows that these moves where made as follows:

• 57% moved within the same county.
• 20% moved within the same state.
• 19% changed states.
• 4% moved abroad.

How many of your customers moved? Do you even know if your mailings are actually reaching their destination? When was the last time you updated your customer mailing list?
Pro Mailing Systems offers an easy and quick way to update your mailing list. The answer is NCOA or “National Change of Address” provided by the United States Postal Service.

NCOALink® Systems     

Over 40 million Americans change their address annually, which creates formidable obstacles in maintaining a high-quality mailing list. The NCOALink product makes change-of-address information available to mailers to help reduce undeliverable mailpieces before mail enters the mailstream.

The NCOALink process consists of computer software purchased, leased or developed by the licensee to access the NCOALink data. The Postal Service certifies the process and licenses the NCOALink product to private sector companies for commercial mail list processing or internal mail list management. Updated, computerized change-of-address information is provided on a regular basis to the NCOALink licensees by the Postal Service. The NCOALink process improves mail deliverability by providing mailers with current, standardized, delivery point coded addresses for individual, family, and business moves.

Input address information must first be standardized to conform to USPS® requirements, including the ZIP + 4® code. An attempt is made to match each name and address against the NCOALink product. Address change information is derived from the PS Form 3575, Change-of-Address Order, filed by relocating postal customers. If a match is made with the name and old address information in the NCOALink file, then the NCOALink licensee is permitted to provide the current move information (new address or undeliverable status) to update the mailing list.

The full NCOALink Product contains approximately 160 million records or 48 months of permanent address changes and is available to Full Service Provider Licensees. The limited NCOALink product contains approximately 60 million records or 18 months of permanent address changes and is available to Limited Service Provider and End User Licensees.

NCOALink helps reduce undeliverable-as-addressed (UAA) mail by correcting input addresses prior to mailing. Since 1986, Move Update predecessors such as ACSTM Service, National Change of Address (NCOA) and the FASTforward® system have saved mailers millions of dollars that otherwise would have been wasted in materials and postage. NCOALink continues this trend and, like its predecessors, provides the following benefits to mailers:
Reduces undeliverable mail by providing the most current address information for matches made to the NCOALink file
Prevents re-mailings after address corrections are received because the address correction is applied prior to the mailing
Reduces mailer costs by reducing the number of undeliverable mailpieces by using most current address information
Provides the opportunity for faster product/service marketing through accurate mail delivery

In addition to change-of-address information, NCOALink also utilizes Return Codes to provide explanation of match and non-match status. Return Codes which indicate that a match was obtained are accompanied by a new address or undeliverable status. Return Codes which indicate a match was not obtained provide the reason a match could not be made to the NCOALink file. The analysis of Return Codes can help the mailer determine the deliverability of specific address records.

The term "bulk mail" refers to larger quantities of mail prepared for mailing at reduced postage. In Business Mail 101, the term "bulk mail" means commercial First-Class Mail and advertising mail (called "Standard Mail" by the Postal Service). Commercial prices are available for other classes of mail, too. The Postal Service uses the terms "bulk" and "presorted" interchangeably.

Bulk prices are lower than "single-piece". "Single-piece" means that you pay the full postage price; when you put a stamp on a letter, you're paying the single-piece postage. Many mailers pay single-piece postage even though they are doing large mailings. Why? Because they don’t want to do any extra preparation work—they don’t have the time, or it’s just not cost effective for their business. 

Mailing at bulk prices may not be the right choice for everyone. For example, if your business does just one or two mailings a year, then it may be worth seeking the services of a vendor, presort or mailing house. Why? Because bulk mail is an investment: an investment of time, in learning how to sort and prepare your mail, and an investment of money (in paying for a mailing permit, the annual mailing fee, and possibly the costs of presort software or other equipment).

What Are Commercial Prices?

The Postal Service offers lower prices for bulk mailings because you do some of the work that otherwise would have to be done by the Postal Service (for example, sorting the mail by ZIP Code or transporting the mail to a different postal facility). Everyone benefits from this "work-sharing." Mailers make an investment in time and technology, the Postal Service’s costs are reduced and you pay less postage.

In order to mail at commercial prices, you need to:

• Get a mailing permit (permission to mail) and pay an annual mailing fee.
• Pay postage using one of several convenient methods: precanceled stamps, postage meter, or permit imprint.
• Make smart choices about the size, shape, and weight of your mailpiece.
• Ensure that your addresses are accurate.
• Presort the mailpieces (separate or sort your mail by ZIP Code).
• Take your mail to the Post Office where you hold your mailing permit.
• The choices you make can result in significant postage savings. Click here for a discussion about the postage prices you'll pay.

Minimum Quantities for a Bulk Business Mailing

To qualify for certain postage discounts, you must mail a minimum number of pieces:

• 500 pieces for First-Class Mail.
• 200 pieces (or 50 pounds of mail) for Standard Mail.
• 50 pieces for Parcel Select.
• 300 pieces for Presorted or Carrier Route Bound Printed Matter.
• 300 pieces for Library Mail.
• 300 pieces for Media Mail (formerly called "book rate").

Save Time and Money with Our Bulk Mail Services

• Your postcards or brochures get mailed faster- no waiting for them to be shipped to you
• You save money- no shipping costs to pay
• You get lower postage rates- pay bulk mail postage rates

What Our Bulk Mailing Services include

• CASS & DPV Address Validation - standardizes the addresses and adds the barcode information so that your mailing is eligible for bulk mail postage rates
• NCOA Processing - updates addresses of people/businesses that have moved and submitted a change of address form to the Post Office
• High Quality 300dpi inkjet addressing of bulk mail pieces. No tacky labels here- professional looking addresses and barcodes printed directly onto your mail piece.
• Delivery to Post Office and Proof of Mailing

Nonprofits, Charities and the Cooperative Mail Rule (CMR)

The Cooperative Mail Rule (CMR) allows one or more authorized nonprofit organizations to share the cost, risk, or benefit of a mailing and mail at Nonprofit Standard Mail® rates. Cooperative mailings are entered at Nonprofit Standard Mail rates only if all cooperating nonprofits are authorized to mail at that rate. The CMR does not allow nonprofits to share the cost, risk or benefit of a mailing with for-profit organizations and mail at the Nonprofit Standard Mail rate unless the mailing is a solicitation for monetary donations and only when the nonprofit is provided with the list of donors and contact information (or waives the provision of that information).

Eligibility to use nonprofit rates is based both on the eligibility of the organization and the content of the mailpiece as established by federal statutes. Learn more about nonprofit mailings.

Authorized nonprofit organizations are eligible for additional savings.

Nonprofit organizations and businesses use Standard Mail® the same way. The only difference is that authorized nonprofit organizations are eligible for additional savings on Standard Mail. Eligibility to use nonprofit rates is based both on the eligibility of the organization and the content of the mailpiece as established by federal statues. Authorized Nonprofit organizations can use Standard Mail or Enhanced Carrier Route mail.

Eligible Organizations:
Simply being an IRS-approved nonprofit organization does not qualify an organization for these rates. Typically, there are 10 categories of organizations that may be eligible. Organizations eligible for nonprofit rates include:

• Agricultural
• Educational
• Fraternal
• Labor
• Philanthropic
• Religious
• Scientific
• Veterans
• Voter Registration Officials
• National and State Political Parties

For highly concentrated Standard Mail.

To use this service, your mailing must have a minimum number of deliveries on a single carrier’s route. The mail must be sorted in the order that the carrier delivers it. Rates are based on weight, shape and the quantity to an individual carrier. Lower rates are available for authorized Nonprofit organizations.

All pieces in an Enhanced Carrier Rate mailing must:
• Meet all the basic requirements for Standard Mail®.
• Be part of a single mailing of a least 200 pieces or 50 lbs.
• Be properly sorted to carrier routes and sequenced.
• Have a delivery address that includes the correct ZIP Code.
• The address must meet quality and coding standards.

         
Quick Service Guides - Learn More Now

Letters

• Enhanced Carrier Route – Letters

Large Envelopes and Parcels

• Enhanced Carrier Route – Large Envelopes and Parcels

 A proven cost-effective business tool.

Standard Mail® offers a lower price on postage for the work you perform. For Standard Mail, you must do some of the work the Postal Service would otherwise do. The work you do in terms of preparing, sorting, and entering your mail can lower your postage costs. You must pay an annual mailing fee at each facility where you enter mail. The mailpiece must weigh less than 16 ounces.

Standard Mail requires a minimum of 200 pieces or 50 pounds per mailing. It can not be used for sending personal correspondence, handwritten or typewritten letters, or bills and statements of account. Prices are based on weight, shape, preparation, and entry. Automation prices are lower than nonautomation prices.

Mailers use Standard Mail to send:

•     Printed matter, flyers, circulars and advertising.
•     Newsletters, bulletins and catalogs.
•     Small packages.

Connolly Printing can review proper preparation, makeup and handling of political campaign mailings. We can explain the use and associated costs of ancillary service endorsements and advise of any restrictions regarding what must be mailed as First-Class Mail and what might not qualify for Standard Mail and/or Nonprofit Standard Mail prices.

Connolly Printing specializes in direct mail. We can take care of the entire mail preparation process, from designing and printing your mailpiece, to delivering your mailing to the Post Office.

Don't get stuck, let us assist you.

• The most common format for Political Campaign Mail is an oversized post card promoting the candidacy of one or more individuals for elected offices on the local, state or federal levels.
• Political Campaign Mailpieces will bear endorsement required by federal or state law that is similar to: "Paid for by the committee to elect John Smith and authorized by John Smith."
• Mail from organizations, such as retiree associations, labor unions, religious groups and others that endorse specific candidates or political issues is not political campaign mail and must not use Tag 57.
• Specific responsibilities for handling Political Campaign Mailings are detailed in Postal Operations Manual (POM) 492.

Political Campaign Mailings

Any material mailed as First-Class Mail or Standard Mail for political campaign purposes by a registered political candidate, campaign committee or committee of a political party is classified as a "political campaign mailing." An individual or organization recognized as such by the appropriate government (national, state & local) election control authority is considered to be a registered political candidate or party.

Using Tag 57 With Political Campaign Mailings

Political campaing mailings are identified and documented when deposited at the Post Office acceptance units prior to entry into processing and distribution. Using a red Tag 57, Political Campaign Mailing, aids in the identification of political campaign mailings. First-Class Mail and Standard Mail entered by a registered political candidate, campaign committee or committee of a political party can be identified by using Tag 57 on the mailing containers. Use of Tag 57 with eligible campaign mailings is optional.

Mailings made by organizations other than those listed above, even if promoting or endorsing political candidates, referendums and so forth, are not classified as political campaign mailings and cannot use Tag 57.