Mailer IDs

What is a Mailer ID and how do I obtain one?

A Mailer ID may be a 9-digit or 6-digit number, depending on the annual mail volume of the mailer. Mailer IDs are assigned by USPS to each mail owner or mailing agent that requests them. They are used in Intelligent Mail barcodes, Intelligent Mail tray barcodes, and Intelligent Mail container barcodes. Mailer IDs are also identified in electronic mailing documentation submitted with full-service mailings. Mailer IDs may be requested by contacting your local Mail piece Design Analyst (MDA) or Business Mail Entry unit. To locate an MDA, access: pe.usps.com/mpdesign/mpdfr_mda_lookup.asp.

Can one mailer obtain multiple Mailer IDs?

More than one Mailer ID will be granted to the same mailer or mailing agent on an exception basis. Contact the Mail piece Design Analyst or Business Mail Entry Unit where your mailing account is held and advise them of the reason for your request for multiple Mailer IDs.

Can the Mailer ID in an Intelligent Mail barcode be the mail preparer's or does it always have to be the ID of the mail owner?

Yes, the Mailer ID can be either the mail owner's or the mail preparer's. The mail owner must be identified by one of two means under the full-service option. The first is to use the mail owner's Mailer ID in the Intelligent Mail barcode applied to letters and flats. The second is by the mail preparer's submission of electronic documentation that identifies the mail owner. When mail owners elect to use their own 6-digit or 9-digit Mailer ID and unique serial numbers for mail pieces., mail preparers would be required to honor the 6-digit or 9-digit Mailer ID and unique numbering as architected by the mail owner.

Whose Mailer ID may be used on the mail pieces., trays or sacks, and containers that are part of the same mailing? Can they be different or do they all have to be the same?

The Mailer ID used in the Intelligent Mail barcode on letters and flats, in the Intelligent Mail Tray barcodes on tray and sack labels, and in the Intelligent Mail Container barcodes on container labels may be the same Mailer ID throughout the whole mailing – or a different Mailer ID may be used on tray labels and container labels than is used on mail pieces. For example, a mail owner's Mailer ID may be used in the Intelligent Mail barcode on the pieces in a mailing, but the mail preparer's Mailer ID is in the barcodes on tray and container labels. Also, multiple Mailer IDs are likely to occur in an MLOCR environment merging mail pieces. from multiple owners. However, if the mail preparer’s Mailer ID is used on the mail pieces., the mailing documentation accompanying the mailing must specify the mail owners.

Will a customer who acquired a Mailer ID before using Confirm service be able to use an existing Mailer ID once they decide to use Confirm?

Currently, Mailer IDs used on pieces for Confirm must have a leading zero in a 6-digit Mailer ID field. However, migrating from Confirm to OneCode Confirm must be coordinated with the Postal Service. By May 2009, mailers will be able to use any valid existing Mailer ID to obtain Confirm service.