UPDATED FEBRUARY 2015:
After the IM®pb deadline:
Managing Requirements
FAQ’s
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FEBRUARY 26 WEBINAR: UPDATED FAQ’s
During the February 26 2015 After the IM®pb deadline: Managing Requirements
webinar, participants asked lots of questions, and many were new ones. To ensure all
the questions asked along with the answers are easily found, this FAQ has been
updated with specific category headings that relate to the IMpb mandate.
Here are the Categories and their sub-headings:
Q: What is the IM®pb?
A: The Intelligent Mail® Package Barcode is the Postal Services next
generation tracking barcode for parcels and Extra Services.
(This does not apply to #10 envelope/letter mail unless it is being
sent Certified or other Extra service)
A package with an IMpb allows the USPS® to provide end users with
detailed tracking information. The barcode offers full visibility to package
tracking on the delivery status of the parcel as it routes to its
destination.
Q: What items require a barcode?
A: Parcels, packages over 13 ounces, and:
Priority Mail® Express or Priority Mail® pieces
of any shape, size, or price category,
including flat-rate boxes and envelopes
Also Extra Services: Certified Mail, USPS Tracking,
Signature Confirmation, Restricted Delivery, and Return Receipt
In addition, the following mail classes require an IM®pb:
--First-Class Mail Package Services
--Parcel Select
--Parcel Select Lightweight
--Standard Mail
-- Media Mail
--Bounded Print Matter
--Library Mail
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Q: A common question asked is, will a manila envelope (8 ½ x 11 for example)
will need a shipping label?
A: The following scenarios should help provide some guidance, however for more
specific rules, please refer to the USPS Postal Explorer website under Retail First- Class
Mail – Single Piece at: http://pe.usps.gov/
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If you are sending out a First-class mail piece in the manila
envelope and it is less than 13 oz and does not have any Extra
Services - then the answer is NO. An IMpb is not required.
If you are sending out a First-class mail piece in the manila
envelope and it is less than 13 oz and it DOES have an Extra
Service applied to it, then the answer is YES – you do need an
IMpb - because the requirement for IMpb affects Extra Services.
If you are sending out a manila envelope and the weight goes
over 13 oz – then the answer is YES – because that item is now
considered Priority Mail and Priority Mail requires an IMpb.
Q: Please provide more details on the two options for presenting an
Intelligent Mail® Package Barcode on a package in 2015?
A: In 2015, there are 2 ways you can ship a package via the USPS and
meet the latest IM®pb requirements.
Option 1 – Use a Pre-printed Label that includes an IM®pb Barcode: In the
image below, the IM®pb 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 Based
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
Option 2– Create a Shipping Label that Includes an IM®pb. In the image
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below, the formatted IM®pb is part of a shipping label. To create the shipping label,
you need to first define the characteristics of the shipment. This is accomplished
through online shipping software. You will enter in data such as: Delivery Address,
Return Address. , Class of Service; Extra Services; zip + 4. The shipping label will
also include a unique mailer ID. These characteristic create the barcode. By
creating an IM®pb shipping label, a package qualifies for full benefits including:
o
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-Use of Commercial Base Discounted Rates
-Automatic qualification of Free Insurance on Priority Mail® & Priority Mail®
Express Items (up to $50 and $100 respectively).
Q: What Neopost USA IM®pb Solutions are available and where can I get
more details?
A: Depending on the number of packages that you are shipping or the options you are
looking for, Neopost offers two IM®pb compliant online shipping solutions. One is
NeoShip which is designed for low-mid volume shipments.( Less than 50 packages a
month) The second is Enhanced Mailing & Shipping (EMS) designed for high
volume shippers.( More than 50 packages a month)
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 IM®pb 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 IM®pb compliant labels. The mailing system is still
used to process letters, postcards and items that are less than 13 ounces.
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A computer with internet
Inkjet / laser printer or thermal label printer
A registered myNeopost account
neoFunds / TotalFunds account
NeoShip technical specifications are as follows:
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OS: Microsoft Windows XP® - SP3, 32/64-bit,
Microsoft Windows 7® - SP1, 32/64-bit
Browsers: Microsoft Internet Explorer® (IE) - v. 7, 8,9,10,
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Mozilla Firefox®
Java® required
Windows® recognized inkjet, LaserJet or thermal label printer with a minimum quality of
203 dpi (USPS® requirement)
Note: NeoShip runs on PC’s not supported on MAC
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With NeoShip, you can create an IM®pb compliant shipping label in 4 easy steps, and
pay for it directly out of your existing neoFunds account.
For more NeoShip information, get the brochure here:
Enhanced Mailing & Shipping (EMS)
EMS is for mailers looking for a full multi-carrier shipping and accounting solution.
Like NeoShip, EMS allows you to create and print an IM®pb compliant shipping label.
With EMS you will also receive full IM®pb benefits. Some key features of EMS
include:
Rate Shopping which provides a graphical calendar snapshot of:
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Each carrier
Available shipping dates
Associated delivery charges
EMS screens:
For more EMS information, please click here:
NEOSHIP ONLY QUESTIONS
Q: Is NeoShip currently available?
A: Yes, here are the options to order and to get more details on NeoShip:
 Please contact your existing sales representative
 Or call our customer service line to get information you’ll need: 1-800NEOPOST.
 There is also a dedicated line for ordering NeoShip :1-866-984-5694
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Q: How much does it cost?
A: The NeoShip cost depended on the mailing systems you have and can be quoted by
your Sales rep or our dedicated order line. NeoShip customers have access to
Commercial base pricing discounts. In most cases, the cost of NeoShip will be easily
covered with the dollars saved using Commercial Base pricing vs. Retail Rates for
typical annual shipping usage.
Q: Where can I find the NeoShip Install and User Guides online?
A: The NeoShip Install Guide can be found by clicking here:
The NeoShip User Guide can be found by clicking here :
Also additional helpful tips are provided in our Knowledge base:
http://kb.neopostinc.com/products/software_solutions/NeoShip.aspx
Q: Is there a way for us to cut down on the status messages emailed to our
customers?
A: Yes, you can be sure the check box on the Address page is not marked so the
recipient (customer) won’t receive the email tracking update messages.
Q: How are NeoShip shipping transactions paid for?
A: Every time a package is processed it is billed to the NeoFunds / TotalFunds account
and then customers receive a bill and pay for the postage used for all shipments.
Mailing system and NeoShip can both pull from the NeoFunds / TotalFunds account .
There isn’t a PRE-PAY account for NeoShip. The only option is NeoFunds / TotalFunds
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More NEOSHIP FAQS are online here
LABEL 400
Q: What is a Label 400?
A: A pre-printed label with an IM®pb will only qualify for Retail Rates.
 Free label from the USPS ®
 Does not qualify for Commercial Base Pricing
 Does meet the USPS ® requirement for affixing a barcode to every package
 3 Options to order Label 400 through the USPS® :
-- 1-800-222-1811
-- Mobile USPS® App
--At the retail counter
The Label 400 are not required on letters.
LABEL 400 continued
Q. Why doesn’t a pre-printed label, such as the Label 400, qualify for
Commercial Base Pricing?
A: The Label 400, which has a preprinted tracking code do not qualify for benefits such
as Commercial Based Pricing because the label is missing data elements that are
required in an IMpb barcode per the USPS. In order to qualify, you must be able to
upload the following information to the USPS:
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Shipping Address File
Destination Zip Code + 4
Mail Class
When using an online shipping software package, like NeoShip or EMS, 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 IM®pb
barcode. In fact, the pre-printed label does include an IM®pb barcode that will provide
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partial IM®pb benefits including:
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Tracking information such as arrival and departure info; date and time of
delivery and attempted delivery
The Label 400 does not qualify for full benefits because the mail class is not included.
As a result, pre-printed labels do not receive:
 Free insurance on Priority Mail / Priority Mail Express or
 Commercial Based Rates
Q: Do Label 400’s need to be added on Certified Mail and Extra Services
envelopes?
A: No, the new certified mail labels will have pre-printed IMpb codes on them so you
won’t need to use a Label 400. As stated above the USPS has not released the new
Extra Services certified labels yet so they are extending the IMpb deadline until they
be sure everyone has access to the new labels.
EXTRA SERVICES/WAIVER LETTER
Q: What’s the status of the new USPS Extra Services labels with IMpb
barcodes?
A: The new USPS Certified Mail and other Extra services labels with pre-printed IMpb
barcodes are not yet available. To process certified mail and other extra services you
can continue to use the existing labels without any compliance penalty.
A waiver letter stating that the IMpb deadline for compliance has been extended
until April 6, 2015 for Neopost Customers can be shared with USPS Office if
necessary. The letter is available here:
http://www2.neopostinc.com/USPSWaiverLetter_042015
After April 6, 2015, Extra Services will require an IMpb barcode to meet the latest
USPS mandate.
COMMERCIAL BASE PRICING
Q: What is Commercial-Base pricing and how it impacted by the IM®pb
requirements?
A: 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.
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 Neopost IS / IM or IN Series mailing system, you currently qualify
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to have access to Commercial Based Pricing (CBP) Discounts. All other Neopost /Hasler
mailing systems not listed above do not qualify for Commercial Base pricing.
IMpb impact: With the IMpb mandate the Commercial Base discounted rates were
removed from postage meters as per the USPS requirement, and are now only
accessible with IMpb compliant online shipping solutions. With an online shipping
solution, a mailer qualifies for the IMpb full benefits which include:
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Offering status from every scan point – leading to better
management of shipment expectations
Accessing the best prices for parcel shipments with
Commercial Base Discounts
Automatically qualifying for Free Insurance on Priority Mail and
Priority Mail Express
o Items with a value up to $50 (Priority) / $100 (Priority Mail Express)
Delivering a neat and clean shipping label
Eliminating the need for multiple barcodes on a package
Keeping compliant for future USPS® features, products, and services
Q: IS CBP available on packages weighing less than 13 ounces? Does it
require an IMpb barcode?
A: Yes, there are Commercial Base pricing rates available for packages under 13
ounces and they do require an IMpb label
Q: Is the .48 First-Class Letter meter rate discount the same as Commercial
Base pricing?
A: The .48 postage meter discounted rate is NOT a Commercial Base pricing discount.
The one-cent discount Metered category is for First-Class letters only and is not
impacted in any way by the new IMpb mandate. The Intelligent Mail package barcode
applies to parcels and Extra Services only
CLASSES OF MAIL THAT REQUIRE AN IMPB BARCODE:
LIBRARY, MEDIA, AND STANDARD MAIL
Q: What is Library Mail and can anyone access these rates?
A: Library Mail can only be used by qualifying institutions like libraries, universities,
zoos, and research institutions to mail educational and research material.
Q: What is Media Mail?
A: Media Mail is generally used for books (at least eight pages), film, printed music,
printed test materials, sound recordings, play scripts, printed educational charts,
loose-leaf pages and binders consisting of medical information, and computer-readable
media.
Q: What is Standard Mail?
A: Standard Mail is mail matter not required to be mailed as First-Class Mail or
Periodicals. Lower nonprofit prices are available for Standard Mail but require specific
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authorization
USPS SHIPPING OPTIONS:
Q: What is Standard Post (formerly Parcel Post)?
A: Standard Post (formerly Parcel Post) is primarily intended for single-piece mailings
which consist of any mailable matter that is not required to be mailed as First-Class
Mail. It is commonly used for gifts and merchandise. There are no bulk prices for
Standard Post. Standard Post is generally presented at a USPS retail service counter
where USPS Tracking service can be initiated.
Q: What is First Class Package Service?
A: First-Class Package is for packages with a maximum weight up to 13 ounces. FirstClass Package Service may be used for any mailable item including advertisements and
lightweight merchandise.
Q: What is Priority Mail?
A: Priority Mail is First-Class Mail that weighs more than 13 oz. and less than 70 lbs.
Priority Mail is the best choice if delivery is needed within 1-3 days. Saturday and
residential deliveries are available for no extra cost as these options are a part of the
USPS® regular business practices. Also, there’s no additional charge for supplies,
boxes, envelopes or fuel surcharges. Priority Mail can also be sent using the flat rate
boxes whose advertising tag line was “if it fits, it ships.”
To see 1, 2, or 3 day specific delivery times from that origin for a package visit the
online delivery map, and enter the origin zip code: https://www.usps.com/prioritymail/map/
Q: What is Priority Mail Express?
A: Priority Mail Express® is an expedited postal service used when you need the
fastest delivery possible. Within the U.S., Priority Mail Express® is available in three
basic service offerings. A key advantage of Priority Mail Express versus alternative
mailers for business mailers is Saturday is included as a USPS® regular delivery day
NON COMPLIANC E FACTS
Q: What will happen if a package sent at a Retail Rate or Commercial Base
Rate is sent without a barcode?
A: Packages without an IMpb barcode or Label 400 risk being charged per per-piece
price adjustments, non-delivery of packages, or returns for non-compliance.
USPS Resources
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Q: Why do some Post Offices not know about IMpb and are even charging for
it?
A: As of January 25, 2015, packages needs to have an IMpb compliant label; if the
customer cannot produce their own IMpb compliant label with an online shipping
solution, then they must have the USPS’s compliant label which is the Label 400. They
should not get charged the $1.05.
Communicating this information to all of the 600,000 USPS employees is still underway
so that is why there are inconsistencies across the USPS network
Q: Where can USPS free Supplies be ordered?
A: There is an online store on USPS. com to order free supplies OR you can get them
at your local post office. To order online:
https://store.usps.com/store/browse/subcategory.jsp?categoryId=free-shippingsupplies&categoryNavIds=shipping-supplies%3Afree-shipping-supplies
Q: Where is IMpb information available from the USPS?
A: The USPS has a special IMpb section, visit:
https://ribbs.usps.gov/index.cfm?page=intellmailpackage Or email: [email protected]
Q: Does the USPS have a glossary of their terms?
A: Yes, it’s available online: http://pe.usps.com/businessmail101/glossary.htm
VISIT OUR DEDICATED IMPB RESOURCES SECTION FOR MORE:
http://www.neopostusa.com/resources-support/imrpb-resources
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