What is the IMpb? What items require a barcode?
The following scenarios should help provide some guidance, however for more specific rules, please refer to the USPS Notice 123 – read the rules for First Class Mail (large envelopes/flats handling/ conversion to Priority Mail). http://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/Notice123.htm
What are the IMpb full benefits?
Commercial Base Pricing (CBP) is a set of special discounted rates that are available to shippers who use scanable postage markings and send package data to the USPS systems electronically. So what does that mean? If you are using a mailing system that prints an IBI (information based indicia), you qualify for CBP since the marking that is being printed from the mailing system is scanned and that data is submitted to the USPS electronically. If you have a Quadient IS, IM or IN-Series mailing system, you currently benefit from Commercial Based Discounts.
With CBP there is no minimum shipping volume required to obtain the discounted rates and it applies to items with a weight up to 70 lbs. Also CBP can be applied to mail classes such as: Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express, First-Class Package Services and First-Class International Packages, Media Mail, Library Mail, etc. After January 26, 2015, only shipping labels that include an IMpb will qualify for Commercial Base Pricing. A pre-printed label with an IMpb will only qualify for Retail Rates. Examples of pre-printed labels with an IMpb barcode include a:
Why doesn't a pre-printed label qualify for Commercial Base Pricing?
When using an online shipping software package, you enter the characteristics of the shipment - for example: (1) What address is the item being shipped to? (2) How is it being shipped? (3) What Extra Services are being added to the shipment? The Intelligent Mail Package Barcode itself is then generated based on the criteria that you have defined. As part of the software package, a shipping services file is then sent to the USPS. This is not the case with a pre-printed label. With a pre-printed label, you are peeling and sticking the label on the package. No shipping services file is being uploaded to the USPS – unless you have an application such as E-Services or E-Services with Electronic Return Receipt. More importantly, you have not created the label based on the unique characteristics of the shipment – therefore the overall requirements have not been met. There is no address validation, correction, or zip + 4 upload. With that said, the item does not meet the full IMpb requirement and will only qualify for retail rates. The pre-printed label DOES meet the USPS minimum requirement that states every package must now include an IMpb barcode. In fact, the pre-printed label does include an IMpb barcode that will provide partial IMpb benefits including tracking information such as arrival and departure info, date and time of delivery and attempted delivery. A pre-printed label does not qualify for full benefits because the mail class is not included. As a result, pre-printed labels do not receive:
What is a Label 400?
A pre-printed label does NOT qualify for full benefits because the mail class is not included. As a result, pre-printed labels do not receive:
What are the two options for presenting an Intelligent Mail Package Barcode on a package? Option 1 – Use a pre-printed label that includes an IMpb barcode: In the image below, the IMpb is part of a pre-printed label. With a pre-printed label, you just peel and stick it on your item. With a pre-printed label, the characteristics of the mailing are not uploaded to the USPS. Addresses can be hand-written and used in conjunction with a postage meter strip tape for parcel shipments. The mailer can track: arrival and departure info, date and time of delivery and attempted delivery. In this case, the mailer does not qualify for Commercial Base Pricing and will pay retail rates. Finally, the package will not qualify for free insurance if it is being sent via Priority Mail or Priority Mail Express In 2015, Extra Services will require an IMpb barcode to meet the latest USPS mandate. If you are currently using a Quadient USA eDelivery Confirmation™, eSignature Confirmation ™, or Certified label for parcels, flat rate boxes and envelope for First-Class letters (certified label). What are Quadient's IMpb solutions and where can I get more details? NeoShip is our latest online shipping solution. It works in conjunction with your IS/IM/IN Series mailing systems. People often ask "does the mailing system print the IMpb shipping label?" and the answer is NO. With NeoShip, you are using the scale from the mailing system to weigh the items, but will need the following components to create and ship IMpb-compliant labels.
Technical specifications are as follows:
The mailing system is still used to process letters, postcards and items that are less than 13 ounces. With NeoShip, you can create an IMpb-compliant shipping label in four easy steps, and pay for it directly out of your existing NeoFunds account. Shipping packages has never been so easy. Enhanced Mailing & Shipping (EMS)
Is NeoShip currently available? I already have a Quadient IS/IM/IN Series mailing system. I want to add NeoShip? Can I add it today? The following terms are protected trademarks of the United States Postal Service: United States Postal Service®, U.S. Postal Service®, USPS®, Postal Service™, Post Office™, U.S. Mail™, First-Class™, First-Class Mail®, First-Class Mail International™, Standard Mail®, Parcel Post®, Parcel Select®, Certified Mail™, Delivery Confirmation™, Signature Confirmation™, Registered Mail™, Priority Mail® , Priority Mail Express® , Commercial Base®, Commercial Plus®, CASS™, CASS Certified™, Confirm®, DMM®, Intelligent Mail®, IM™, IMb™, IMpb™, Click-N-Ship®, usps.com®, ZIP Code™ and ZIP+4®. United Parcel Service® and UPS® are protected trademarks of the United Parcel Services of America, Inc. FedEx® is a protected trademark of the FedEx Corporation.
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