MailPro
News for Mailing Professionals

FYI
The Breast Cancer Research semipostal stamp has a new 55-cent price. Since 1998, the Postal Service has raised more than $53 million for breast cancer research through the sale of this semipostal stamp.

HOW TO USE THE INTELLIGENT MAIL BARCODE

The Intelligent Mail barcode, formerly known as the 4-State Customer barcode, is a 65-bar USPS barcode used to sort and track letters and flats. This barcode expands mailers' ability to track individual mailpieces and provides greater visibility into the mailstream.

The use of the Intelligent Mail barcode is optional right now. However, many mailers are finding that it makes good business sense to begin using it. Beginning in 2009, the Intelligent Mail barcode will be required to qualify for automation discounts.

1 CHOOSE WHICH SERVICES (IF ANY) YOU WANT TO USE

You have these options:

• OneCode ACS provides mailers with automated address corrections when a mailpiece can't be delivered. OneCode ACS lets mailers use just one barcode instead of a combination of text endorsement, participant code, mailer keyline and POSTNET barcode. This service is currently available only for use with First-Class Mail and Periodicals mail. It will be available in the fall for Standard Mail.

• OneCode Confirm provides information on when USPS receives your mail and when it's sorted on our mail processing equipment. A featured option of the Confirm service, OneCode Confirm lets mailers use just one barcode instead of PLANET Code and POSTNET barcodes and increases the number of uniquely identified mailpieces. There are two types of Confirm service:

1. Destination Confirm service (for outgoing mail) gives you advance information about when your mailpieces will reach their destinations.

2. Origin Confirm service (for incoming mail) lets you anticipate when customers' remittance (checks, responses or orders) is on the way back to you.

OneCode Confirm is available for use with First-Class Mail, Standard Mail and Periodicals.

• For sorting only, automation discounts are offered to mailers who barcode their mail and meet addressing, readability and other requirements. The Intelligent Mail barcode must contain a proper routing ZIP Code and Business Entity ID to receive the automation discount.

2 GET A BUSINESS ENTITY ID

To use the Intelligent Mail barcode, you will need a Business Entity ID (BEI). Depending on the service(s) you choose, you should contact the appropriate program office.

OneCode ACS: Download an application from http://ribbs.usps.gov/OneCodeSolution/ and mail or fax it or contact the ACS department at the National Customer Support Center at 800-331-5746.

OneCode Confirm: Confirm subscribers approved for OneCode Confirm must incorporate their Confirm Subscriber ID (their BEI) when using Intelligent Mail barcodes. OneCode Confirm subscribers can contact Confirm Customer Assistance at 800-238-3150, visit https://mailtracking.usps.com, or refer to Pub. 197, Confirm Service Featuring OneCode Confirm, for details.

Automation discounts: If you're printing the Intelligent Mail barcode solely for an automation discount, contact the PostalOne! Help Desk at
800-522-9085.