This post is an update to our previous post from October 8th, titled “The Intelligent Mail Barcode Explained“. Visit this link if you want to learn more about the Intelligent Mail Barcode.

Right now this new postal technology is available to mailers, but isn’t required to qualify for automation postage rates on letters and flats.

This requirement implementation was slated to become active January 2009. Postmaster General John Potter announced last week, however, that this date will now be pushed back to May 2009 based on public feedback.

Mr. Potter stated, “Many of you told us that January 2009 was too soon. We will propose a May 2009 implementation, concurrent with our next annual price change.”

Note — the IMB requirement has been pushed back to May of 2011.

But we recommend you speak to your lettershop vendor about making the necessary changes to utilize this new barcode sooner rather than later.

Here’s additional info about the Intelligent Mail Barcode:

http://ribbs.usps.gov/onecodesolution/