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Mailing Services |
Address Change Service: An automated
process that provides change-of-address information to participating mailers who
maintain computerized mailing lists.
Address Correction Service: A system
of ancillary service endorsements that allows mailers to obtain the addressee’s
new (forwarding) address or the reason for nondelivery.
Ancillery Service: Forwarding, return,
or address correction service included within a mail class.
Area Distribution Center (ADC): A mail
processing facility that receives and distributes mail destined for specifice
Zip codes.
Aspect Ratio: The dimension of a mail
piece expressed as a ratio of length divided by height. An aspect ratio
between 1.3 and 2.5, inclusive, is required for automation compatibility.
Automated Area Distribution Center (AADC):
An area distribution center (ADC) that uses multilane optical character readers
(MLOCRS), barcode sorters (BCSs), and other equipment designed for processing
automation-compatible mail.
Automation-Compatible Mail: Mail that
can be scanned and processed by automated mail processing equipment such as a
barcode sorter.
Automation Discount: This is a
discount offered to mailers who apply a pre-barcode to pieces that meet
requirements for automation.
Barcode: This is a series of vertical
bars and spaces that represent the zip code for the delivery address.
Bound Printed Matter (BPM): A subclass
of Package Services that consists of permanently bound sheets of which at least
90% are printed with advertising, promotional, directory, or editorial matter
(or a combination of such matter).
Bulk Mail Center (BMC): This is a
highly mechanized mail facility for processing bulk mail.
Business Mail Entry Unit (BMEU): The
area of a postal facility where mailers present presorted and permit mail for
acceptance.
Code Accuracy Support System (CASS):
This is a service offered to mailers, service bureaus, and software vendors that
help improve the accuracy of physical addresses and their respective zip codes.
Collect On Delivery (COD): A service
for mailers who need to mail an article for which they have not received
payment. The amount due the sender is collected from the addressee and the
USPS returns the amount due to the sender.
Dead Mail: Mail that is undeliverable
as addressed and cannot be returned to the sender (usually because there is no
return address on the piece).
Delivery Confirmation: A service that
provides the date and time of delivery or, if delivery was attempted but not
successful, the date and time of the delivery attempt.
Delivery Point Barcode (DPBC): A
POSTNET barcode that consists of 62 bars with beginning and ending frame bars
and 5 bars each for the nine digits of the Zip+4 code, the last 2 digits of the
primary street address number (or post office box, etc.), and a correction
digit. The DPBC allows automated sortation of letter mail to the carrier
level in walk sequence.
Direct Mail: Another name for
advertising mail sent to targeted markets. It can be any mail class, but
it is usually Standard Mail.
Endorsement: An authorized marking on
a mailpiece that shows handling instructions, a service, or a request for an
ancillary service.
Express Mail: A mail class that
expedites the delivery of mail pieces.
Extended Managed Mail Tray (EMM) (also called
"2 Ft. Trays"): Two foot trays that measure 21 3/4"
long by 11 1/2" wide (inside bottom dimensions) by 6 1/8" high.
Must be used for letter size mail that does not fit in regular MM trays.
First Class Mail: A mail class that
includes all matter wholly or partly in writing or typewriting, all actual and
personal correspondence, all bills and statements of account, and all matter
sealed or otherwise closed against inspection.
Flat: The general term for flat-size
mail, so called because the large mail is sorted without bending it so that the
mail remains flat.
Indicia: An imprinted designation on
mail that denotes postage payment. It is typically located at the top
right corner of the address area where a first class stamp goes.
Insert: A letter, card, or similar
item placed inside another mailpiece.
Irregular Parcel: A mail processing
category for a parcel that does not meet the dimensions of a machinable parcel.
Machinable: The ability of a mailpiece
to be sorted by mail processing equipment.
Machinable Parcel: A parcel that is of
the correct size and weight to be safely sorted by mail processing machinery
such as a parcel sorting machine.
Mailing: A group of mailpieces with
the same mail class and mail processing category that may be sorted together
under the appropriate standards.
Mailing Agent: A private third party
that mails on behalf of someone else.
Media Mail: A subclass of package
services that consists of books, sheet music, printed educational material,
film, videocassettes, cd-roms, and other computer readable media.
Metered Mail: Any mail class, except
periodicals, with postage printed by a USPS-approved postage meter.
National Change of Address (NCOA): An
address correction service that the USPS provides to mailers thru USPS
licenses. If there is an ancillary done on a mailing database over a year
old, the NCOA is a must to keep the mailer from having excessive returned mail.
Nonmachinable: The incapacity of a
mailpiece to be sorted on mail processing equipment because of size, shape,
content, or address legibility. Such mail must be processed manually and
could be subject to a surcharge.
Nonprofit Rate: A preferred rate for a
Periodicals publisher authorized to mail as a nonprofit organization.
Oversized Rate: Parcel Post rate for
pieces exceeding 108 inches but not more than 130 inches in combined length and
girth.
Parcel Post: A subclass of Package
Services with rates based generally on weight and zone.
Periodical: A class of mail consisting
of magazines, newspapers, or other publications formed on printed sheets that
are issued at least four times a year. They require having a legitimate
list of subscribers and requesters.
Permit: Any authorization required for
specific types of preparation of postage payment.
Postage Statement: Documentation
provided by a mailer to the USPS that reports the volume of mail being presented
and the postage payable or affixed, and certifies that the mail meets the
applicable eligibility standards for the rate claimed.
Presort: The process by which a mailer
prepares mail so that it is sorted to the finest extent required by the
standards for the rate claimed.
Priority Mail: First-Class Mail that
weighs more than 13 ounces and, at the mailer’s option, any other mail matter
weighing less than 13 ounces mailed at Priority Mail rates. Priority Mail
provides expedited delivery. Any mailable matter may be sent as Priority
Mail.
Registered Mail: Provides the most
secure service offered by the USPS. The sender receives a receipt at the
time of mailing, and a delivery record is maintained by the USPS.
Rural Route: A delivery route served
by a rural carrier.
Single-Piece Rate: A postage rate
available for individual pieces of Express Mail, Priority Mail, First-Class
Mail, and Package Services. It is not available for Periodicals except
under the rate category of basic.
Standard Mail: This is a class of mail
that weights less than 16 ounces. It comprises the subclasses of Regular
Standard Mail, Nonprofit Standard Mail, Enhanced Carrier Route Standard Mail,
and Nonprofit Enhanced Carrier Route Standard Mail.
Tray: A container used in postal
facilities to hold letters and First Class Mail flats. It is used as a
basic unit of mail quantity, for purposes of preparing mail to qualify for
discounted postage rates.
Walk Sequence: The order in which a
carrier delivers mail for a route. This order is required for most carrier
route presort mail.
Zone Improvement Plan (ZIP):
Established in 1963, the system of 5-digit codes that identifies the individual
post office or metropolitan area delivery station associated with an
address. Zip+4 is an enchance code consisting of the 5-digit Zip Code and
four additional digits that identify a specific range of delivery addresses.
