Full Service & Basic Options

What is the basic service for Intelligent Mail?

With the “basic” option - it’s pretty simple - mailers will use the Intelligent Mail barcode on their letter and flat mail pieces. in place of the POSTNET barcode. With one exception, mailers must populate all the fields in the barcode – those fields are the Barcode ID with the Optional Endorsement Line information if used; the Service Type ID specifying class of mail and any special services; the USPS assigned Mailer ID; and the Delivery Point ZIP Code. Under the Basic option you are not required to uniquely number your mail pieces. – so you may choose to populate the Serial Number field of the Intelligent Mail Barcode with zeroes.

What is the full-service option for Intelligent Mail?

The first requirement for the full-service option is to apply an Intelligent Mail barcode with a unique serial number on each of your letter and flat mail pieces. You will be required to apply the Intelligent Mail Tray barcode on tray and sack labels and the Intelligent Mail Container barcode, when required, on labels affixed to pallets, all purpose containers (APCs), gaylords and other rolling stock. You will need to electronically submit postage statements and mailing documentation before the mailing is inducted. Just as today, if you drop-ship mail to DBMC, DADC, or DSCF facilities, you must schedule appointments using the Facility Access and Shipment Tracking (FAST) system. In addition, these appointments must be created or updated with content (container level) details provided to USPS through the electronic PostalOne!FAST Web Services application. For more information, visit usps.com/post alone/autodropshipschedule.htm

Will there be a price differential between basic-service and full-service mailings?

We understand that there are a number of factors that will influence customers’ decisions regarding their participation in the Intelligent Mail program. The full-service option provides free start-the-clock information to notify mailers when we take possession of their mail, and free address correction information. We have also announced that there will be a price differential between the two options, with the full-service option priced lower than the basic option. We hope that the combination of these differences between the two options will encourage many customers to choose the full-service option since it provides many more opportunities to realize the benefits of the Intelligent Mail vision. The proposal, including the prices, will not go into effect until May 2009. Since the prices will be part of our comprehensive price adjustment which depends on many variables, including the inflation rate, it is not possible to provide the specific prices at this time. In the meantime, though, we will be working with the industry to better understand their intelligent mail efforts, and we will be evaluating the financial implications of various pricing approaches. Again, we understand that many factors will influence customer participation, and will continue to be as forthcoming as possible with information that will help guide those decisions.

What information is provided with "start-the-clock"?

We will provide free start-the-clock information that indicates when a full-service mailing has been inducted by the Postal Service. This will not include container scan information.

Will the Intelligent Mail barcode be required on all reply mail that is enclosed in outgoing automation-priced letters and flats?

Yes, we encourage mailers to use the Intelligent Mail barcode on all reply mail as soon as practical; our proposal requires use of the Intelligent Mail barcode as of May 2010. The Intelligent Mail barcode on business reply mail pieces would include 9-digit routing codes; barcodes on other reply mail would include delivery point routing codes.

When POSTNET barcodes are no longer allowed, will PLANET Code barcodes be allowed with Confirm service?

We encourage mailers to use the Intelligent Mail barcode for Confirm service as soon as they are able. When POSTNET barcodes are no longer acceptable for automation mail prices (as of May 2010), we would simultaneously disallow PLANET Code barcodes for use with Confirm service.

How will mailers access information from scans of tray label and container label barcodes?

The Postal Service will consider providing this data in the future as part of an existing or new product.

How do you suggest I create unique serial numbers?

The Serial Number field is used to uniquely identify mail pieces. for the full-service option. You can create unique serial numbers through a variety of methods and techniques such as: serializing the mail pieces. (e.g. consecutive numbering), embedding Julian dates, or using database random number generators and reference tables. The key is to keep the serial numbers unique for a 45-day period.

Can I repeat the same serial numbers in a full-service mailing within 45 days as long as the pieces contain different Service Type IDs?

Yes. The Service Type ID in combination with the Mailer ID and serial number can be used for mail piece uniqueness when the class of mail is different.

Can pieces within the same mailing have different Service Type IDs?

Yes, for example a mailer may choose to request Confirm service for some pieces but not for all pieces in a mailing.

When using the full-service option, will the mail in each tray have to match the documentation?

For most mailings, yes, unless otherwise authorized as noted in our publication, A Guide to Electronic Documentation and Appointments for Full-Service Mailings, available in May 2008 on our web site, ribbs.usps.gov/fullserviceguides. Note that the mailing documentation must accurately match the total number of pieces for each destination.

Will there be palletization standards for full-service mailings of First-Class Mail?

These are subject to customer/supplier agreements.

Are Mail.dat and Wizard Web Services fully ready to support full-service Intelligent Mail implementation?

We are making the necessary modifications to the systems in concert with the industry. USPS will be ready with the implementation of these data exchange methods by May 2009.

Under what conditions will Postal Wizard (PW) be allowed for full-service mailings?

Postal Wizard (formerly called "Postage Statement Wizard") enables electronic submission of postage statements. PW is acceptable for full-service mailings of less than 10,000 First-Class Mail or Standard Mail pieces that do not require accompanying documentation, such as permit imprint mailings of identical weight pieces separated by price category or mailings with the exact postage affixed to each piece. (See current DMM 244.4.3 for Standard Mail letters and similar DMM sections for documentation standards for other classes and shapes of mail.)

When using Intelligent Mail container labels under the full-service option, how many container labels will be required and where will they be placed?

To enhance our ability to successfully scan container label barcodes, there should be three labels placed on different sides of the pallet. For containers other than pallets, mailers would place a container label in designated location(s).