THERE’S A NEW

PACKAGE BARCODE LEARN HOW IT WORKS Here are some of the more frequently asked questions to get you started on learning about the Intelligent Mail® package barcode. If you have questions on this, contact us today.

570.569.2071 [email protected]

Q. Q.

WHAT IS THE IMpb? A.

IMpb is a postal acronym that stands for Intelligent Mail package barcode. This is essentially a barcode format that includes shipping information critical to the USPS®’ ability to track the package from pick-up to final delivery including between 9-11 interim scans. The USPS uses this data to expedite package delivery and reduce overall internal costs. The IMpb provides the mailer with complete visibility to package delivery status.

Q. WHAT DOES THE

USPS CONSIDER A PACKAGE? ®

Q. HOW DO THE IMpb Q. DOES A REQUIREMENTS IMPACT THE WAY I USE MY METER TO PAY FOR PACKAGES?

new regulations for parcel A. The processing will impact any items described by the Postal Service as a parcel in DMM 401, Priority Mail Express® or Priority Mail® of any shape size or price category entered through any commercial channel. This includes pieces with postage paid by: Postage meters, Permit imprints, C Postage®, Pre-Cancelled stamps, Official Mail Accounting System (OMAS).

January 2015, metered A. After parcels must be mailed using retail postage rates. You will need to affix a pre-printed USPS Tracking label, or if you bring your parcel in to the post office a clerk will apply one for you. Commercial Base Pricing (CBP) discounted rates are no longer available with just your postage meter. In order to get discounted CBP rates, parcels will need to have an IMpb barcode, and meet all other IMpb requirements, including transmitting an electronic Shipping Services File that includes the required address information. IMpb Certified solutions such as Pitney Bowes pbSmartPostage™ and SendSuite® software take care of meeting those requirements and qualify for Commercial Base Pricing.

TRACKING LABEL HAVE TO BE COMPUTER GENERATED?

Business mailers can use A. No. one of two label formats to get detailed tracking. First, there is a pre-printed label (called Label 400) for Delivery Tracking. Second, is a software generated label (from a PC or web-based solution) that not only generates an IMpb label but also transmits an electronic Shipping Services File (SSF) to the USPS. (See illustration below) The Postal Service is adopting a business model very similar to private carriers. The end result is a more efficient delivery, reduced handling and better tracking with USPS package services.

2 CHOICES FOR SENDING PACKAGES:

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n



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Use shipping software to print and apply a shipping label with IMpb Each label is unique, so you can track it The software sends the shipping information to the USPS Pay the discounted CBP rate!

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Apply a unique, preprinted USPS tracking barcode label—get from Pitney Bowes or the USPS

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+

Use your meter to pay for and affix postage

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n

You can still track this package



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Pay “retail” rate (no discount)

Q. IS IT MANDATORY TO PUT A TRACKING LABEL ON EVERY PACKAGE?

business mailers must apply A. Yes, a tracking label to packages. This was a rule issued in 2013 then reinforced during the January 2014 rate change. Business mailers can comply with a preprinted or computer generated barcode label (see illustration on previous page).

Q. AS OF JANUARY

26, 2015 WILL ALL PITNEY BOWES POSTAGE METERS AUTOMATICALLY USE RETAIL PRICES—AND TURN OFF THE COMMERCIAL BASE PRICING (CBP) DISCOUNTED RATE?

all postage meters will be A. Yes, updated with retail postage rates when the rates change in January 2015. Commercial Base Pricing (CBP) will not be accessible from the postage meter.

THE USPS DELIVERS TO ®

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Q. SHOULD I USE

pbSMARTPOSTAGE , ® SENDSUITE SOFTWARE, OR A POSTAGE METER FOR MY PARCELS? ™

can continue to use your A. You postage meter to process shipments and pay retail rates. Based on your business needs, this may be acceptable and you would not need to change your process.

 bSmartPostage and SendSuite p will allow you to also process parcels and will allow you to take advantage of Commercial Base Pricing. For occasional packages, we recommend the pbSmartPostage solution. This is a basic solution that gives you access to the lower package rates without much change to your business workflow. If you find you are sending, on average, more than 20 packages per week (or 1,000/year), we suggest you look at a software based system, such as SendSuite, because of its comprehensive benefits to your package workflow.

Q. I MAIL FIRST

CLASS MAIL, WOULDN’T I STILL WANT A METER FOR THAT MAIL? ®

A. 

Yes, absolutely. The IMpb guidelines do not affect the value of the postage meter. Postage meters are still the ideal solution to secure postage funds, print postage on demand, and streamline your workflow for letters and packages.

Q. WHY IS THE

USPS CHANGING PACKAGE BARCODE RULES? ®

the USPS competes A. Everyday, against UPS , FedEx and other ®

®

carriers on key values such as shipment cost, convenience, tracking services and trust in timely delivery. The new USPS package barcode (IMpb) guidelines and associated changes are seen as a break-through chance for the USPS to provide better services to business mailers, and earn the right to deliver your packages.

3,700,000,000 total # of USPS® packages shipped in 2013

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Q. THE IMpb

APPLIES TO COMMERCIAL PARCELS, BUT WHAT ABOUT FLATS, AND WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?

or thick envelopes (e.g. A. Large flats) are considered parcels if the flat is rigid, non-uniformly thick or non-rectangular. Commercial Parcels are defined as any item meeting the physical description of a parcel in the USPS Dommestic Mail Manual (DMM) section 401, or a Priority Mail Express® or Priority Mail® piece of any shape, size, or price category entered through any commercial channel.

Q. I WANT TO PAY

COMMERCIAL BASE PRICES ON MY PACKAGES, WHAT DO I NEED TO DO AFTER JANUARY 2015 IN ORDER TO QUALIFY FOR THOSE PRICES?

order to get CBP rates, A. InCommercial packages must have an IMpb barcode, and meet all other IMpb requirements, including transmitting an electronic Shipping Services File that includes the required address information. IMpb Certified solutions such as pbSmartPostage™ and SendSuite® take care of meeting those requirements and qualify for Commercial Base Pricing. After January 26, 2015, only packages shipped with a software generated IMpb label will get CBP pricing.

Q. HOW DOES IMpb AFFECT ME IF I USE CERTIFIED MAIL OR OTHER SPECIAL SERVICES? ®

REQUIREMENTS APPLY TO LIBRARY MAIL? WHAT ABOUT MEDIA MAIL?

of any shape Yes, IMpb requirements must A. Mailpieces A.  requesting USPS Extra Services be met to get Commercial ®

are required to bear an IMpb or approved barcode label. Lettermail sent without any Extra Services will not require a barcode label.

(discounted) rates for Media Mail and Library Mail. If you are unable to meet those requirements, you can mail those items at the retail rate.

INTELLIGENT MAIL® package barcode BENEFIT:

END-TO-END TRACKING Packages are scanned

11x

up to Page 6

Q. DO THE IMpb

Q. I JUST DO

LETTERS, DO THE IMpb REQUIREMENTS AFFECT ME?

no. However, please A. Normally note that single piece lettersized mail requesting Extra Services (e.g. Certified Mail®) are required to have an approved barcode label.

Q. IS THE IMpb

REQUIRED FOR INTERNATIONAL PARCELS?

is required if the parcel is A. IMpb paid for using CBP (Commercial Base Pricing). You can still pay the Retail rate without having to meet the IMpb requirements. IMpb tracking does not extend beyond the US.

Q. IF I USE MAILING

OR PRESORTING SOFTWARE TO DO ‘BULK MAILINGS’ AND PRINT AN IMb™ ON EACH PIECE, DO I NEED TO USE AN IMpb?

A. 

The IMb (Intelligent Mail® barcode) is applied to letters, cards and flats mail—not parcels.

The IMb and IMpb are two different types of barcodes that serve different types of postal services.

INTELLIGENT MAIL® package barcode BENEFIT:

GET BETTER PRICING % to 50% SAVE 10 depending on parcel weight, class,

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& distance shipped

Q. HOW DO YOU PAY

®

FOR POSTAGE WITH pbSMARTPOSTAGE ? CAN I USE MY RESERVE ACCOUNT? ™

A. 

Yes, pbSmartPostage allows you to use Reserve Account to fund your postage. You can also use Purchase Power™ or a credit card.

INTELLIGENT MAIL® package barcode BENEFIT:

FREE INSURANCE Priority Mail®

packages are insured up to

Page 8

Q. I USE SENDSUITE

XPRESS —WILL I HAVE TO UPGRADE TO SENDSUITE LIVE ? ™

®

™

Xpress is a current A. SendSuite shipping offering from Pitney Bowes and your sites can continue to use it to process IMpb shipments for USPS, as long as your software is interfaced to your postage meter. In some cases, you may need to update your software to create the ideal workflow. SendSuite Live is a newer, more robust shipping solution—you may want to consider upgrading, depending on your needs going forward. Both of these software solutions support USPS’ IMpb initiative. You can contact your Pitney Bowes sales consultant for more information.

Priority Mail Express® packages are insured up to

Q. HOW DO I DECIDE

IF I SHOULD USE pbSMARTPOSTAGE OR SENDSUITE?

and SendSuite A. pbSmartPostage are available today. SendSuite software is most suited for businesses sending more than approx. 20 packages/week, or more than 1,000 packages/ year. pbSmartPostage is most suited for businesses with lower shipping volumes. This is a general guideline. Every business’s shipping operations and needs are unique. We encourage you to speak to your Pitney Bowes sales consultant about your business to learn more about both solutions to determine which would be the best fit for you. If you are not already a Pitney Bowes client, you can go to: http://www.pb.com/smb/ online-postage-stamps to sign up for pbSmartPostage. If you are a Pitney Bowes client, please contact your Pitney Bowes representative to see if you already have pbSmartPostage.

www.pitneybowes.com

© 2014 Pitney Bowes Inc. All rights reserved. Pitney Bowes, the Corporate Logo, pbSmartPostage, and SendSuite Live are trademarks of Pitney Bowes, Inc. All other marks are the intellectual property of their respective owners. Delivering more than 90 years of innovation, Pitney Bowes provides software, hardware and services that integrate physical and digital communications channels. Long known for making its customers more productive, Pitney Bowes is increasingly helping other companies grow their business through advanced customer communications management. Pitney Bowes is a $5.4 billion company and employs 30,000 employees worldwide.

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570.569.2071 [email protected]