Entries Tagged 'Postal News & Commentary' ↓

We came across a snippet of postal information in DM News today and felt it was important to add a quick post to our blog about it.

 Here it is word for word:

“The USPS issued a statement last week which ensures the earliest a new rate case will take effect is March 27. It confirmed the next price change will use the new CPI-capped* rules, adding that mailers will be given at least 90 days’ notice before changes are implemented. USPS Governors will decide when the next change will occur. Future changes will occur annually, on a predictable schedule.”

As soon as we hear about a definite date in 2008 for this new rate case, we’ll add the information to this blog.

*Consumer Price Index

Popularity: 30% [?]

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Tags: Postage, Postal Rate Case, USPS

The Nonprofit Times recently reported that the USPS will not be pushing forward with a rate case to increase postal fees for nonprofits.

Instead, the USPS’s Board of Governors voted to proceed with the new pricing regulations set by the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act of 2006, which caps future price increases at the rate of inflation.

The USPS will now measure its annual price increases according to the seasonally-adjusted Consumer Price Index (CPI) for all urban consumers.

To read the story in full, please visit:

http://www.nptimes.com/07Nov/news-071119-1.html

Popularity: 28% [?]

Tags: Nonprofit Direct Mail, Postage, Postal Rate Case, USPS

Today’s blog entry is about the much talked about Intelligent Mail Barcode.

The Intelligent Barcode, formally called the 4-state customer barcode, is the newest attempt by the post office to make both them and their customers more efficient in preparing and handling the mail. It also offers additional features such as enhanced tracking and ACS services.

Some of the Features and Benefits That Make the Intelligent Barcode Unique are the Following:

• Combines multiple services into one barcode – these can include: OneCode ACS (Address Change Service), postNET barcode, OneCode Confirm Service Type ID # (what class of mailing) and unique piece identifier.  
• With the OneCode Confirm, you have the ability to track every single mail piece using the unique piece identifier. For example, if you want to see if John Doe received his mail piece, you have the ability to track that piece using his unique piece identifier up to the delivery point sorter.
• It consists of 65 bars (postNET was 62) and can include up to 31-digits worth of information.
• The post office is currently using the Intelligent Barcode for First-Class Mail (confirm and ACS services, flats only) and Standard Class (confirm service only).
• Frees up more real estate on the actual mail piece by combining what used to be 4 lines of the address block into 1.
• And lastly, this barcode will be required by 2009 to get automation rates. 

What Makes up the Intelligent Barcode?

Barcode Identifier: This a 2 digit field that will be used to encode the presort identification that is currently being read manually from the Optional Endorsement Line.

Service Type Identifier: This is a 3-digit field which tells the sorting equipment exactly what service is required for that piece of mail. For example, if you would prefer the OneCode ACS service, the identifier would be 080.

Customer Identifier: This is the BEI that is assigned by the post office to the mailer.

Sequence Number: This is the unique piece identifier which is assigned to each record in your mailing.

Routing Code: This is the 11-digit delivery point, or Zip+4, with other delivery information.

If You Would Like More Information, Please Visit:

http://ribbs.usps.gov/onecodesolution

Popularity: 36% [?]

Tags: Intelligent Mail Barcode, Postage, USPS