NCOA Link Approved for Move Update Standard

Effective October 1, 2003, DMM A030, A910, and A950 are revised to add National Change of Address Linkage System Product, or NCOA Link, as an additional method by which mailers preparing Presorted and automation rate First-Class Mail pieces can meet the Move Update standard described in this article and defined in DMM A030.1.0.

NCOA Link

NCOA Link will help mailers update addresses with the latest permanent change-of-address information filed by customers. Mailers will be able to process a mailing list using NCOA Link and update that list using secure data storage technology. This new product will be available under license from the Postal Service to both individual mailers and service bureaus.

This product enables the Postal Service to make available a pre-mailing address correction service in a format that is not a clear text address list, but is instead a mathematical formulation. As a result, mailers can integrate the NCOA Link product into their own in-house computer technology and have the ability to update address-specific information for mailings during their business operations.

Move Update Standard

Improving the quality of mailer address information benefits the mailer and the Postal Service. A mailer benefits by managing correct address information for the customer, which reduces mailing costs and other business costs associated with handling inaccurate address information. The Postal Service benefits from reduced volumes of undeliverable-as-addressed mail, which decreases processing and handling costs for such mail.

The Move Update standard is an address quality process that mailers seeking First-Class Mail Presorted and automation rates must use to improve the quality of address information in order to reduce the number of mailpieces in a mailing that require forwarding or return to sender. This standard, however, does not apply to single-piece rate First-Class Mail items or to any other class of mail or any other rate.

For the purposes of this standard, address means a specific address associated with a specific occupant name. At the present time, the Move Update standard for First-Class Mail Presorted and automation rate pieces requires the following:

• Each address and associated occupant name used on the mailpieces in a mailing must be updated within 180 days before the mailing date, with one of the Postal Service-approved methods in DMM A030.1.4.
• Each individual address in the mailing is subject to the Move Update standard.
• If an address used on a mailpiece in a mailing at one class of mail and rate is updated with an approved method (e.g., NCOA Link or Address Change Service), the same address may be used during the following 180 days and meets the Move Update standard required.

For more information about NCOA Link or Move Update, contact the Postal Service National Customer Support Center (NCSC) at 800-238-3150.

Hardbound National Five-Digit ZIP Code and Post Office Directory (Publication 65) No Longer Available

The hardbound edition of the National Five-Digit ZIP Code and Post Office Directory (Publication 65) will be discontinued in 2004 due to rising distribution costs and low customer demand. Softbound editions will still be available at $31 per set.

Publication 65 lists ZIP Codes, Post Offices, and street ZIP Codes for all cities with more than one delivery ZIP Code. The directory also contains information on proper addressing procedures, delivery statistics, new ZIP Codes, discontinued postal units and service-improvement programs, USPS organizations and a list of special ZIP codes.

To order the 2004 softbound edition, customers must use a new order form (PS Form 4243). Publication 65 will ship in early 2004. Remaining copies of the 2003 hardbound edition are available for $37.50. To order, customers can use the form at www.usps.com/forms/_pdf/ps4243.pdf.

For more information, contact the Postal National Customer Support Center (NCSC) at 800-238-3150.