Essential to procedures described in this publication is a unique nine-digit number used to identify a business. Throughout this publication, the nine-digit number is referred to as a DUNS® number — DUNS is an abbreviation for Data Universal Numbering System, which is administered by Dun & Bradstreet. Previously, Postal Service customers had to obtain a DUNS number in order to participate in the programs described in this publication. However, effective August 2007, the Postal Service replaced the DUNS number with a Mailer ID number — but this change does not impact any customer who had previously used a DUNS number, because the customer’s DUNS number still serves as the customer’s Mailer ID number. A new customer who applies for services will be assigned a Mailer ID number by Confirmation Services Support. Throughout this publication, the term “DUNS number” refers to the customer’s unique nine-digit number, whether it is actually a DUNS number or a Mailer ID number.
A participant must include its DUNS number in the label and/or electronic file in order for the Postal Service to compile records for this service. A mailer or its third-party designee must complete the appropriate certification process to begin using a DUNS number with its mailings (see 2-3).
The Postal Service extracts information based on the “highest priority” BPOD-participating DUNS number in the electronic file. The possible locations for the participating DUNS number (in the order of precedence) are as follows:
- Client DUNS number in Detail Record 1. If the customer is using a third-party designee, the DUNS number of the mail owner (the customer) will typically go in this field. However, if the customer prints its own labels (and its DUNS number is in the Package Identification Code (PIC) — the PIC is synonymous with the term “label ID”), then this field should contain all zeros.
- PIC in Detail Record 1. The DUNS number within the PIC should be that of the private barcode printer (either the mail owner (customer) or the third-party designee).
- Electronic File Number in the Header Record. The DUNS number included as part of the Electronic File Number in the Header Record must contain the DUNS number of the entity that actually transmits the file.
The mailer is responsible for working with the third-party designee to ensure that the third-party designee provides the proper information to the Postal Service in the electronic file. See more information on correctly populating the electronic file in 2-7.
A single mailer may use multiple DUNS numbers; however, mailers with multiple DUNS numbers must register each DUNS number during certification.
A mailer can choose whether to receive either Signature Extract Files or
CD-ROMs for each registered DUNS number, or to consolidate the various files under one DUNS number. If the mailer chooses to receive separate files for each DUNS number, the mailer must complete a separate PS Form 5053 for each DUNS number.
