Intelligent Mail® Barcode Means Benefits to Mailers
Access Mail’s clients’ mail is already being coded to comply with the US Postal Service’s mandate that goes into effect May 2011. Each letter or Flat is now receiving the Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMB) that will be required to qualify for presort postal discounts.
The USPS describes IMB: “The Intelligent Mail® barcode is a height-modulated barcode that encodes up to 31-digits of mailpiece data into 65 vertical bars using 4-state symbology (ascender, descender, tracker and full bar).”
Depending on mail volume and services selected, the Intelligent Mail barcode construct will change. The IMB consists of a 20-digit Tracking Code which is made up of:
- Barcode ID (endorsement information)
- Service Type ID (mail class and optional service participation)
- Mailer Identifier (MID) and
- Serial Number.
The code also has up to 11-digit Routing Code (Destination ZIP Code).
This technological advancement is really a great opportunity for mailers. Although a primary usage is to speed the mail to the delivery point most efficiently, IMB provides a wealth of information about mail and the Postal Service, and the information-rich code enables end-to-end visibility into the mail stream. While IMB will be required to qualify First Class, Standard Class, Letter and Flats mail for discount postage, the Postal Service also offers a suite of ancillary services for letters and flats using the Intelligent Mail barcode. Your company may elect to purchase one or more – like tracking the mail or confirming its delivery.
A 6- or 9-digit Mailer ID is imbedded in the IMB. Companies who send their own mail are required to apply for their ID. Those that utilize Access Mail to process and sort their mail will not be required to do so as they are covered under our ID.
Find out more about IMB and how you can take advantage of this mailing requirement for presort mail discounts. Contact the mailing professionals at Access Mail: 727-539-6245, 877-711-6245, or info@AccessMail.biz.