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Move Update: Post-Mailing Methods
For mailers to be ready for Move Update requirements, they must use addresses that were updated no earlier than 95 days prior to the date of mailing. This applies to mailings entered after Nov. 22. Except for mail bearing an alternative address format, addresses used will be required to meet the Move Update standard. This applies to all First-Class Mailings at automation and presort prices, and to all Standard Mail mailings.
The choices available to meet the Move Update requirement, along with the wide use of alternative addressing formats (such as ‘‘John Doe” or “Current Resident’’), provide sufficient flexibility for meeting the requirement. One of the approved “post-mailing” methods for Move Update is the use of an appropriate ancillary service endorsement on mailings.
Ancillary service endorsements allow mailers to obtain the addressee’s new address if the addressee filed a change-of-address (COA) order with the Postal Service, or the reason for nondelivery. These endorsements also provide the Postal Service with instructions on how to handle undeliverable-as-addressed mail, does the mailer want the piece to be forwarded, returned or disposed of at the delivery Post Office?
Printing an appropriate ancillary service endorsement on a mailpiece however does not, by itself, satisfy the Move Update standard. To satisfy the Move Update standard, the address on the mailpiece must have gone through an approved Move Update process during the previous 95-day period. The addresses in your files are up to date and meet the standard if:
• You are mailing to your address files — at a minimum — every 95 days.
• All subsequent mailings bear an appropriate ancillary service endorsement.
• Your address files have been updated using the address correction notices received.
Manual address notifications are the least effective and most costly Move Update method for the Postal Service, mailers and list owners. When the higher fee per notice is added to the costs associated with manually processing and incorporating the COA information into their address files, these costs often far exceed the fee for the address correction notice.
Address Change Service (ACS) is an electronic enhancement to manual methods of providing COA information to mailers. The system substantially reduces the volume of printed address-correction notices and centralizes and automates address correction information to mailers. Mailers add a unique mailer identification code to the address area of their mailpieces to identify them as ACS participants.
If utilizing the advantages of the Intelligent Mail Barcode, mailers can include imbedded tracking and routing information that otherwise requires readable address correction service codes and mailer keyline information. Using the IMB also allows mailers to eliminate printing the ancillary service endorsement as well as the ACS code and mailer keyline information in the delivery address area.
ACS (and OneCode ACS) can be used on any class of mail to qualify the addresses in a mailing list. ACS participants can only use the ancillary service endorsements “Change Service Requested,” “Address Service Requested” or “Electronic Service Requested” to receive electronic COA information. Electronic notices can be obtained on a variety of electronic media.
Mailers can use one of the ancillary service endorsements listed on the next page to request COA notifications and meet the Move Update standard.
One important step to remember is that you must input corrections to your address files before any subsequent mailings to meet the Move Update requirements. When you sign the postage statement if submitting hard copy, or in electronic format such as PostalOne! or Mail.dat, you have certified that the mailing complies with all relevant standards, including Move Update.
Additional information
Ancillary service endorsements as well as other processes do not provide COA notices for individuals at business deliveries. It does this only for individuals or families who file a permanent COA with the Post Office that serves their old residential address. If a business files a COA for the entire company, that information is provided.
Use of ancillary service endorsements do not correct address elements such as north instead of south, provide missing elements like apartment or suite numbers, or provide correct ZIP Codes.
For additional information, go to ribbs.usps.gov, select Address Change Service; and OneCode ACS. Also, see Quick Service Guide 507d and Domestic Mail Manual 507.1.0 on Postal Explorer at pe.usps.com.
Ancillary service endorsements that meet Move Update standards/First-Class Mail
Return Service Requested
Piece returned with new address or reason for nondelivery (no charge).
Change Service Requested
ACS Participants Only
Option 1 – Piece disposed of by USPS. Separate notice of new address or reason for nondelivery provided (address correction fee charged);
Option 2 – If no change-of-address order on file: Piece disposed of by USPS. Separate notice of reason for nondelivery provided (address correction fee charged).
If change-of-address order on file:
• Months 1 through 12: Piece forwarded (no charge) Separate notice of new address provided (address correction fee charged). |