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Postal Speak
New rules bring new postal terminology. Here you’ll find some old standbys from the United States Postal Service, plus some new words to help you navigate the postal milieu.
11-DIGIT BARCODED ADDRESSING
All barcoded mail now includes 11 digits — the 9-digit zip code plus the last two digits of the local address. There is also a check digit to ensure that the total number of digits in the barcode is correct, something the 9-digit zip code never provided.
ADDRESS CHANGE SERVICE (ACS)
A computerized version of the Address Correction Requested (ACR) service. To be eligible for this service, mailers must request an identifying code that must print as the first line of the address block. Information on moves and nondelivery is supplied on magnetic media. Fees for ACS are lower than for ACR.
ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED
A service of the USPS that can be requested by printing the words “Address Correction Requested” in the upper left corner of the mailpiece. If the address is undeliverable, the Postal Service will provide the mailer with the forwarding address of people who have moved, or will indicate a reason for nondelivery (such as “no such address,” “unknown at this address,” “forwarding time expired,” etc.). The charge for this service varies depending upon the class of mail and the weight of the mailpiece.
ADDRESS ELEMENT CORRECTION (AEC)
Address records that can’t get a ZIP+4 code from CASS-certified software are eligible for AEC. This USPS program, run by the Customer Support Center in Memphis, uses a battery of computer programs that attempt to parse and fix address errors so that ZIP+4 codes and carrier route codes can be determined.
BARCODE
A series of vertical bars that represent the numerics of a Delivery Point, a ZIP+4 or ZIP code. Barcoded mailpieces can be read by high-speed equipment that automatically sorts mail into a preprogrammed sequence. Mailers obtain discounts for prebarcoding mail. Letter mail requires Delivery Point barcode, representing the ZIP+4 plus the final two digits of the house number. Flat mail can use either Delivery Point or ZIP+4 barcode. Under Classification Reform, both First Class Mail and Standard Mail have new subclasses with a separate rate structure for barcoded mail.
BARCODE SORTER
A high-speed computerized machine that electronically reads a barcode and automatically sorts mail for distribution within the postal system to specific postal facilities or carrier routes, or into the carrier’s walk sequence.
CODING ACCURACY SUPPORT SYSTEM (CASS)
A USPS program that sets standards for commercial software that appends ZIP+4 codes. The software must be submitted to an annual audit by the USPS to confirm that the software performs correctly. By passing the audit, the software becomes CASS certified. In order to qualify for postal discounts for ZIP+4 or barcoding, mailers are required to produce a CASS certificate (USPS Form 3553) which verifies that the ZIP+4s have been obtained from CASS-certified software.
CO-MAIL PROGRAMS
Co-mailing involves merging together mailstreams of several different titles to create one large mailstream. This allows mailers to qualify for higher presort discounts found in the Carrier Route sort level and results in optimized containerization (less sacks, more pallets). Quad’s four different co-mail solutions offer virtually every mailer the opportunity to participate, regardless of circulation or trim size.
Inline, we can combine different magazine or catalog titles during binding and presort them together into a single mailstream while maintaining the unique attributes of each book. Or, we can incorporate prebound magazines or catalogs with other titles inline during binding, giving you flexibility in dimensions, page counts and binding styles. Offline, we can merge the mailstreams of several different prebound titles into one large mailstream. Alternatively, we can presort into a single mailstream individually polybagged titles with onserts and enclosures.
CO-PALLETIZATION
Consolidating the physical bundles of mail, which have already been addressed and presorted, onto pallets. Mail that has been bundled onto pallets prior to its entry into the USPS system receives postal discounts.
DELIVERY SEQUENCE FILE (DSF)
A comprehensive database of every one of the 120 million addresses that the USPS delivers to. DSF serves as a tool to improve mailing list selections and to provide walk sequencing of mail files. DSF processing will confirm the accuracy of mailing lists, identify address errors and provide information about the address. DSF processing is performed by commercial vendors under license by the USPS. Outside lists compared to the DSF by one of a handful of licensees can make a substantial contribution to reduce wasteful mailings.
POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION (PRC)
An independent federal agency that makes recommendations concerning Postal Service requests for changes in postal rates and mail classifications.
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