Intelligent Mail®
Intelligent Mail (IM) services cover much more than just the barcode most people
will see on their mail pieces. USPS® has developed this new technology
to enable end-to-end visibility and reporting on mail as it travels through the
mail stream.
While barcodes in the Intelligent Mail system are different depending on use (e.g.,
on trays, sacks, etc.), the Intelligent Mail barcode on mail pieces is the one most
people will see.
This Intelligent Mail barcode contains information that identifies the service level,
the mail class, the mailer ID, the mail piece, optional special services and delivery
point information. It combines the functionality of ACS™, POSTNET™ and
PLANET Code® into one multiservice barcode and paves the way for
USPS to offer additional services in the future.
Learn more about the types of Intelligent
Mail barcodes.
Intelligent Mail Timeline
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May 18, 2009
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Two Intelligent Mail service levels supported: Basic and Full Service. Use of either
the POSTNET™ or Intelligent Mail barcode qualifies mail for automation discounts.
USPS defers some Full-Service features until November 2009.
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Nov 29, 2009
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All Full-Service options supported, including Mail.XML and manifest mailings. Additional
postage discounts for Full Service mailings began: $3 per thousand for First Class
Mail® and $1 per thousand for Standard Mail®.
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Today
Mailers should immediately start using the Intelligent Mail barcode at the Basic
service level. This allows the identification of any required process changes and
provides time to replace or update machinery that cannot support the new barcodes.
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