Intelligent Mail® Barcode Types
On Mail Pieces
When used on letter- and flat-size mail pieces, the Intelligent Mail barcode is
a height-modulated barcode that encodes up to 31-digits of data into 65 vertical
bars.
While the POSTNET™ barcode only contains the routing code, the Intelligent Mail
barcode also encodes the mail class, identity of the mailer and a mail piece identifier.
It combines the functionality of ACS™, POSTNET and PLANET Code®into
one multiservice barcode. Because the IM™ barcode contains information about the
service level and mail class, it is created during the presort process instead of
the CASS™ process.
Building the Intelligent Mail Barcode
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What it Does
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Where it Comes From
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Barcode ID
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Identifies the type of barcode;
designates the OEL on Flats
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Generated by the PAVE™
certified software
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Service
Type
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Identifies the mail class, service
level (Basic or Full-Service) and
any optional services like
Confirm®
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Selected by the mailer during
the presort process
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Mailer ID
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6- or 9-digits depending on the
mailer’s overall volume
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Assigned by USPS®
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Serial Number
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6- or 9-digits, which may be
static for Basic, but must be
unique for Full-Service
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Generated by the PAVE software
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Routing
Code
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11-digits that correspond to the
Delivery Point Barcode;
non-automation may have 9, 5 or 0 digits
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Generated by the CASS
Certified™ software
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Other Intelligent Mail Barcodes
Full-Service also requires type-specific Intelligent Mail barcodes on all trays,
sacks, containers, etc. The distinctive four-state barcode is only used on letter-
and flat size mail pieces. USPS has defined different formats for these other uses.
The Intelligent Mail Tray label and barcode covers trays, tubs and sacks. The Intelligent
Mail Container barcode covers containers, hampers, pallets, rolling stock, etc.
Intelligent Mail
Package Barcode
Intelligent Mail
Tray Barcode
Intelligent Mail
Container Barcode
While your mailing preparation software will generate these labels, more technical
details may be found on the
USPS Intelligent Mail site.