Mailpiece Characteristics Report
The Mailpiece Characteristics Report describes summary information about a mail run, as well as specific mailpiece characteristics that are not within specification.   Figure 5- 41 is an example of a Mailpiece Characteristics Report.
The mailpiece characteristics requirements for height, length, width, thickness or aspect ratio are measured.  If 1% or more of the mailing fails the requirement, then the user is notified by the “Red X” icon on the Report tab.  Currently, there is no penalty or additional postage due for a mailing that fails the mailpiece characteristics requirement.

Figure 5- 41: Mailpiece Characteristics Report
Table 5- 23 describes the information contained in the summary section of the Mailpiece Characteristics Report.
Table 5- 23: Mailpiece Characteristics Report (Summary Section)
Field	Description	
Mail Class	Class of mailing (First Class, Standard A, etc.)	
Mail Category (L/C/F)	Type of mail (letter, card, flat)	
Height	The total number of mailpieces that were within the specified height limit appears under # Read, the total number for which MERLIN captured good height information appears under # Acceptable, and the percentage that was good appears under Percent  Acceptable.	
Length	The total number of mailpieces that were within the specified length limit appears under # Read, the total number for which MERLIN captured good length information appears under # Acceptable, and the percentage that was good appears under Percent Acceptable.	
Thickness	The total number of mailpieces that were within the specified thickness limit appears under # Read, the total number for which MERLIN captured good thickness information appears under # Acceptable, and the percentage that was good appears under Percent Acceptable.	
Weight	The total number of mailpieces that were within the specified weight limit appears under # Read, the total number for which MERLIN captured good weight information appears under # Acceptable, and the percentage that was good appears under Percent Acceptable.	
Aspect Ratio	The total number of mailpieces that were within the specified weight limit appears under # Read, the total number for which MERLIN captured good weight information appears under # Acceptable, and the percentage that was good appears under Percent Acceptable.	
Permit Number	Mailing permit identification number	
Mailing Date	Date the mail was accepted at the BMEU/DMU	
Only mailpieces with aspect ratio errors are shown in the individual mailpiece section of the Mailpiece Characteristics Report. Table 5- 24 describes the information contained in the individual mailpiece section.
Table 5- 24: Mailpiece Characteristics Report (Individual mailpiece section)
Field	Description	
Tray	The tray number of the individual mailpiece	
MPID	Mailpiece ID number assigned by MERLIN	
Height	Actual height of mailpiece.  If mailpiece is within specification, the height information is blank.  Allowable height limits displayed at top of column.	
Length	Actual length of mailpiece.  If mailpiece is within specification, this field is blank.  Allowable length limits displayed at top of column.	
Thickness	Actual thickness of mailpiece.  If mailpiece is within specification, this field is blank.  Allowable thickness limits displayed at top of column.	
Weight	Actual weight of mailpiece.  If mailpiece is within specification, this field is blank.  Allowable weight limits displayed at top of column.	
Aspect Ratio	Actual aspect ratio of mailpiece.  If mailpiece is within specification, this field is blank.  Allowable weight limits displayed at top of column.