Revision to USPS mailing standards coming in 2014
Companies using address validation software in their direct mail campaigns will see new changes coming to the U.S. Postal Service come January.
The USPS recently announced that marketers will need to use full-service Intelligent Mail to qualify for automation discounts when sending First-Class Mail, Standard Mail, Periodical and Bound Printed Matter services. Starting Jan. 26, 2014, direct mail marketers will need to use an Intelligent Mail barcode (IMb), which is a unique 24-digit code that identifies each piece of mail.
According to the USPS, the new mailing standards require businesses using direct mail marketing to only receive discounts for full-service mailings.
Direct mail marketers using address validation software might want to consider reviewing the volume of each mailing initiative to make sure it is within the USPS full-service guidelines. Any campaign with identical materials that is less than 10,000 pieces will be able to use a single serial number, otherwise each will require its own individual barcode.
The USPS hopes the revised rule will simplify full-services for organizations, increase the value of direct mail benefits and help companies to see where their mail is within the system to better serve their customers.