Intelligent Barcode to Debut in May, Says USPS

The U.S. Postal Service will be ready to process mail bearing Intelligent Mail barcodes next May as planned, said Tom Day, senior vice president, intelligent mail and address quality to a meeting of the Mailers’ Technical Advisory Committee.

“We believe the benefits of an information-rich mail stream will be evident for our mailers and the entire mailing industry, and investments to make that a reality will prove to be very much worthwhile,” he said. “However, given the volatility of the economy, decreasing mail volumes, and our own financial situation, it would be premature for us to commit to a pricing structure for the Intelligent Mail barcode at this time.”

In January, the USPS began seeking comments on Intelligent Mail barcoding standards plans to require for letters and flats to receive automation discounts after Jan. 2009 (Direct Newsline, Jan. 8).

As part of the full service, option, mailers would have to apply the barcodes to letters, flats trays, sacks and other containers. They'd also be required to submit postage statements and mailing documentation electronically.
Under the basic option, mailers would have to use the Intelligent Mail barcode on letters and flats in place of the Postnet bar code.