USPS Regulations Case Study

USPS Regulations: Recent and Proposed Changes and Their Effect on Mail Preparation and Delivery

Century Direct Logistics Dropship

Maximizes mailers postage discounts via USPS workshare
Improves speed of delivery
Reduces number of USPS handlings, thereby reducing mail piece potential damage
Enables mailers to more precisely target “in-home” windows for their mailings

The Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMb)

Required by the USPS as of January 2013 to obtain automation discounts
Contains up to 31 digits of information including the Zip code
Special Services, such as address correction
Mailer ID issued by the USPS for each customer ]
Serial Number for unique tracking for each piece in a mailing

How the IMb Works

Mail is scanned at various points as it travels through the postal system
Individual pieces carrying the IMb create time- stamped electronic records
Pieces may be scanned numerous times ▪As pieces approach their destination, a final scan generates a USPS operations code that indicates when a piece will be ready for the postal carrier
Date, time, and location can be accessed and summarized using our customized software

USPS Entry Scan

Confirms the quantity and location of the mail’s entry into the postal system
Can show multiple drop dates, or multiple NDC/SCF entries
Entry Scan does not take place immediately when mail is delivered to a postal facility

Inquiry by Individual Mail Piece

Track an individual piece all the way to a mail carrier’s bag
Search by list source and in-home date
Verify if delivery was made before or after target date

USPS Mail Scan Summary by Date

Not all of the pieces that are mailed receive a USPS scan
The report produces an overview of the distribution of the mail as it travels downstream

USPS Mail Scan Summary by State

Shows the number and percentage of pieces “In Home,” and the number and percentage of the pieces that have actually been scanned.
The number of pieces scanned may not equal 100% of the pieces mailed. Not all pieces get scanned.
The total number of scans can exceed the number of pieces mailed.

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