A Breakdown of the Intelligent Mail Barcode System

The new Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMB) system can sound a lot more complicated than it really is. Most mail houses already have the hardware and software to implement the new barcode, even if they're not using it. Your software vendor and equipment dealer will be able to verify this for you, and help you 'piece the code together'. But chances are, you'll be able to do it yourself using the following guide.

The new barcode uses 65 bars, with 4 varying lengths, to stand for 31 characters. To create the barcode, you start by assembling the different information for the 31 characters...which breaks into five pieces lump sum distribution data.

Barcode ID -- The barcode ID uses the first two characters. This is for the optional endorsement line (EOL). Keyword here is 'optional'. If you're using an EOL, you'll put the corresponding sort code here. If your not using an EOL (which is usually the case) you'll simply use "00" in this spot. But you can't leave it blank. You must have the two zeros as 'placeholders'. If you don't know what an EOL is, then use the zeros.

Service Type ID -- This just tells the post office what kind of mail you're sending. It records the mail class and other extra services like 'confirmation'. It's a three digit code and you can use the table below to find the right code to put here. The USPS will probably expand the listed services, but for now, this is what's available.

*040-First-Class Mail with Destination Confirm
*042-Standard Mail with Destination Confirm
*044-Periodicals with Destination Confirm
*050-Origin Confirm
*080-First-Class Mail with Address Service Requested
*082-First-Class Mail with Change Service Requested
*090-Standard Mail with Address Service Requested
*092-Standard Mail with Change Service Requested
*782-Periodicals with Address Service Requested
*784-Periodicals with Change Service Requested
*140-First-Class Mail with Destination Confirm and Address Service Requested
*240-First-Class Mail with Destination Confirm and Change Service Requested
*142-Standard Mail with Destination Confirm and Address Service Requested
*242-Standard Mail with Destination Confirm and Change Service Requested
*144-Periodicals with Destination Confirm and Address Service Requested
*244-Periodicals with Destination Confirm and Change Service Requested
*700-First-Class Mail with no additional services
*702-Standard Mail with no additional services
*704-Periodicals with no additional services
*706-Bound Printed Matter with no additional services

Mailer ID -- This is the mailer ID from OneCode Confirm or OneCode ACS. The MID is either six or nine digits. If you don't have a mailer ID from one of the above services, you can get one from Mailpiece Design Analyst (MDA) by going to the post office site and applying for one -- pe.usps.gov/mpdesign/mpdfr_mda_intro.asp.

Serial Number -- Each piece of mail will have a unique serial number. This way, when combined with the mailer ID, every piece of mail from the time of creation to the time of delivery will have a unique number that can be tracked by the post office or internally using Vision Systems on your equipment. Your software will have to generate the serial numbers in increments of one and list the serials with the reports you submit to the post office. The serial number will be 9 digits if you used a 6 digit mailer ID. It'll be 6 digits if you used a 9 digit mailer ID.

Routing Code -- this is where you'll put the destination ZIP code. You can use 5, 9, or 11 digit code.

These 31 digits are put together and can then be encoded into a 65-character string (each character being one of four letters-A, T, D, or F). When using the downloadable font from the USPS, the string will print out as a barcode. Most current software already comes with the ability to encode the numbers and print the barcode. Contact your vendor for specifics.

For more information on the IMB standards, call Addresser Based Systems at 800-398-5786.

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