The United States Postal Service (USPS) Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMb) system is a powerful tool that streamlines mail tracking and sorting for businesses. It simplifies the process by incorporating essential details, such as destination, sender, and tracking number, into a single code.
Let's explore the benefits, options, and basic components of the IMb system to help you enhance your mailing strategy.
The IMb system provides a range of benefits for businesses.
One of the primary benefits is improved accuracy. The IMb system ensures that mail pieces are sorted and delivered to the correct recipients, reducing the risk of errors and delays. This saves time and money and enhances the overall customer experience.
Another advantage of the IMb system is improved tracking. With the 20-digit tracking code, businesses can track their pieces of mail in real-time, from the moment they enter the mail stream until they are delivered. This feature provides valuable information about delivery times, locations, and any issues that may arise during the delivery process. It also allows businesses to anticipate delivery times and plan accordingly, improving efficiency and reducing costs.
The IMb system also streamlines the sorting and delivery process, reducing the need for manual labor. This results in greater efficiency and cost savings.
Additionally, the Full-Service option provides access to USPS data and reports, empowering businesses to analyze and optimize their mailing services.
The IMb system provides benefits for the USPS as well. Through enhancements to their sorting and delivery processes, the USPS has been able to increase mail handling capacity, decrease expenses, and improve service quality.
Furthermore, the IMb system is compatible with other USPS services, such as Certified Mail with Return Receipt®, allowing businesses to track and manage their mail pieces more comprehensively.
The USPS offers automation discounts for IMb users. These discounts are designed to encourage mailers to use automation to sort and process their mail, which can help improve the efficiency of USPS operations.
The automation discounts are available for both Basic and Full-Service IMb options. Mailers who use Basic Service IMb can receive discounts for presorting and barcoding their mail. Full-Service IMb mailers can receive additional discounts for using electronic documentation and address correction services.
To qualify for automation discounts, mailers must meet specific requirements, such as using USPS-approved software or hardware to generate the IMb code, meeting minimum volume thresholds, and meeting particular addressing and sorting requirements. Discounts vary based on mail type, volume, and level of automation.
The USPS IMb system offers two options for businesses and mailers:
Basic Service
The Basic Service provides a unique serial number for each mail piece, enabling USPS to track the mail piece from the point of acceptance to the point of delivery. It is available at no additional charge and can be used for letters and flats.
This option suits businesses that only want to use IMb to track their mail pieces. It provides basic information, such as destination and tracking number, but does not offer additional features, such as address correction or change of address services. Easy to implement, it requires minimal technology investment.
Full-Service
The Full-Service option is designed for businesses that want more control over their mailing services. It includes all the features of the Basic option, as well as address correction and change of address services. Additionally, it provides access to USPS data and reports, allowing businesses to track their mail pieces in real time. While it demands a higher investment in technology and training, it offers substantial benefits for businesses reliant on mailing services.
The IMb system consists of four basic components.
The Barcode Identifier is the first two digits of the IMb code, and it identifies the mail class and service level of the mail piece. It indicates the type of mail that is being sent, whether it is First-Class Mail®, Standard Mail, or another class of mail. This helps the USPS to sort and deliver mail pieces more efficiently by ensuring that they are directed to the correct processing centers.
The Service Type Identifier is the next three digits of the IMb code, and it identifies the specific type of mail service being used. It provides information about the specific service requested by the mailer, such as whether the mail is being sent as a letter or a flat and whether it is being sent to a residential or commercial address. This helps USPS to sort and deliver mail pieces more efficiently by directing them to the correct delivery routes.
The Mailer ID is the next six digits of the IMb code. It identifies the sender of the mail piece. This information helps USPS to track and manage mail pieces more efficiently.
The Serial Number is the final nine digits of the IMb code. It is a unique identifier for each mail piece. This identifier helps USPS to track and manage individual mail pieces throughout the sorting and delivery process.
- Meet address block requirements: Print in all caps in the lower right-hand corner, including recipient's and sender's names and addresses.
- Generate the IMb code: Use USPS-approved software or hardware to create the code.
- Print the IMb: Within the address block, in black ink on a white background, at least 0.75 inches in height. Quadient Impress is cloud-based mail preparation software that can generate the IMb code and print it on your mail pieces.
- Verify the IMb: Ensure accuracy and legibility to avoid delays or misdeliveries.
Understanding the benefits, options, and components of the USPS Intelligent Mail Barcode system empowers businesses to optimize their mailing processes, enhancing overall efficiency and cost-effectiveness.