The Address Matching System Application Program Interface (AMS API) Developer's Kit is a tool used in the development of address-matching software. It is available through Electronic Product Fulfillment (EPF) and contains the following information:

• API library for each specific computer platform
• Interface definition file (ZIP4.H)
• Test utility (SAMPLE.EXE)
• Test utility source code
• Sample configuration data files
• User documentation

The test utility can be used to ensure that the Address Matching System and data files have been installed correctly and to provide access to USPS^® matching logic, which displays the standardized address returned by the matching engine. This enables you to verify the accuracy of the ZIP+4^® results returned from your product.

The AMS software including, but not limited to, .DLLs, shared objects, and static objects all expire and cease functionality based on the CASS™ guidelines. The eLOT^® and DPV^®files can also be used in conjunction with the AMS API Developer's Kit.

Subscriptions are maintained on a calendar year basis and require signature compliance with a license agreement. Pricing varies depending on product and platform usage, so please ask for more details.

For more information about AMS API or to obtain order forms, please contact the National Customer Support Center at 877-640-0724.

Links
Address Matching System Application Program Interface User Guide PDF

The Computerized Delivery Sequence (CDS) File is a 5-digit ZIP Code™ based electronic customer product that provides and updates delivery sequence address information by carrier route for qualified mailers. Mailers must initially qualify for CDS information through Address Sequence Service, described in DMM 507.8.

The CDS product is distributed to qualified customers on a weekly or bimonthly schedule beginning in February.

To obtain additional information about CDS, contact the National Customer Support Center at 800-238-3150 or visit the RIBBS website at https://ribbs.usps.gov/index.cfm?page=cds. Information on qualifying for CDS electronically can also be found on the RIBBS website at https://ribbs.usps.gov/index.cfm?page=cds.

The DPV System is one of the SnappCheck Address Management Technologies™ products that is available from the Postal Service to help mailers identify inaccurate or incomplete addresses.

The DPV System assists mailers in obtaining accurate delivery address information and facilitates identification of erroneous addresses contained in mailer address files. Mailer use of DPV will help to reduce the amount of undeliverable as addressed (UAA) pieces, which in turn will result in more efficient postal mail processing and delivery operations.

DPV is available through USPS^® Certified DPV Licensees.

For additional information on DPV, please contact the National Customer Support Center at 800-238-3150.

The DSF^2® System is one of the SnappCheck Address Management Technologies™ systems that is available from the U.S. Postal Service^® to help mailers identify inaccurate or incomplete addresses.

The DSF² file system assists mailers in obtaining accurate delivery address information and facilitates identification of erroneous addresses contained in mailers address files. The DSF2 product also provides additional information such as type of delivery and LACSLink^® information. As mailers use the DSF2 product, it will help to reduce the amount of undeliverable-as-addressed (UAA) pieces, which in turn will result in more efficient postal mail processing and delivery operations.

The DSF2 service is available through USPS^® Certified DSF2 Licensees.

For additional information on the DSF² product, please contact the National Customer Support Center Licensing Department at 800-589-5766.

The Labeling Lists Data Product assists mailers with presorting mail. It provides active, origination 3- and 5-digit ZIP Code™ data along with their destination locations (including city/state/ZIP Code) for labeling purposes. The product contains complete data files of each list found in the DMM^®. Periodic updates to the Labeling Lists Product are published in the Postal Bulletin.

For more detailed information regarding the Labeling Lists Product, please refer to the technical guide. An order form is also available for download.

What is RDI?
RDI is a data product that helps customers reduce shipping costs by verifying whether a delivery type is classified as residential or business. The sole purpose of the RDI Product is to determine parcel shipping rate information or provide analysis of parcel shipping patterns and costs. Since some shipping companies charge a higher price for residential delivery, the RDI Product allows customers to make informed shipping decisions

What are the benefits of using RDI?
The benefits of RDI include:

• Reducing residential delivery surcharges by validating delivery type status for the purpose of choosing parcel shipping suppliers.
• Providing analysis of parcel shipping patterns and costs for the purpose of improving mailers’ parcel shipping processes.
• Lowering shipping charges by providing rate-shopping services to clients, which will allow them to compare parcel shipping rates for input addresses.
• Reducing returns due to incorrect addresses by using RDI in conjunction with CASS™ software.
• Enhancing Customer Relationship Management (CRM) by demonstrating efficient and accurate shipping practices. Identifying shipping patterns to improve operational efficiency.
• Providing online rate-shopping services for others

How do I apply for a RDI license?
The prerequisites for obtaining an RDI license are:

• Applicant must be in the business of shipping parcels, consolidating parcel shipments, analyzing parcel operations, providing parcel rateshopping software approved with USPS^® CASS certification as a software provider for RDI coding.
• If the applicant is not in the business of shipping parcels or consolidating parcels, applicant must publicly offer parcel rateshopping analysis services.

RDI is available from the Postal Service for an annual licensing fee, which includes monthly updates. ZIP + 4^® products require no less than bi-monthly updates, but may be obtained monthly. For optimal results, the product releases for RDI and ZIP + 4 should be synchronized. CASS Certified™ software is required to access the RDI data product.

For more information on the RDI Product, visit the RIBBS Web site at https://ribbs.usps.gov, or call the National Customer Support Center at 800-589-5766.

Residential Delivery Indicator Vendors PDF

The Modern Service Standards are currently being incorporated into our databases and will not be available via CD-ROM until further notice.

Information about the Modern Service Standards is available on the RIBBS website under the “Modern Service Standards” link. Updates will be posted on the RIBBS website at the beginning of each Postal Quarter, on October 1, January 1, April 1 and July 1.

The National Zone Charts Matrix is used to assist mailers in determining the distance that a mailpiece travels based on the ZIP Code™ where the mailpiece enters the mailstream (origination) and the ZIP Code where the mailpiece is delivered to the addressee (destination). Postage rates for certain classes of mail are based on mailpiece weight as well as the distance the mailpiece travels. Please note, the matrix does not contain postage rates, only zone information.

Individual Zone Charts are located on the Postal Explorer^® web site.

For more detailed information regarding the National Zone Charts Matrix, please refer to the National Zone Charts Matrix technical guide. An order form is also available for download.

The Topological Integrated Geographic Encoding and Referencing (TIGER)/ZIP + 4^® File is a useful tool that helps mailers explore new markets by gathering and manipulating data to uncover potential business areas.

The TIGER/ZIP + 4 File is a bridge file that allows mailers to access other information using the ZIP + 4 codes they already have associated with their addresses. This file provides demographers, market researchers, and offers a method to relate ZIP + 4 coded address lists to Census Bureau demographic data. Now mailers can acquire Census Bureau information on latitude, longitude, tract, Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area (SMSA), etc. These files make an excellent base for a geographic information system.

Possible uses:

• Mailers who develop a new product ideally suited for customers living in a particular part of the United States can reach beyond their established customer base and increase market share through TIGER/ZIP + 4 queries. Mailers can use the queries to extrapolate the target market from the Census Bureau data, derive the ZIP Codes™ of potential customers, and prepare mail accordingly.
• Mailers can process the ZIP Codes of their address lists through the TIGER/ZIP + 4 File to extract client data to focus on their clients' needs.

For detailed information on TIGER/ZIP + 4, download the Technical Guide or contact the National Customer Support Center (NCSC) at 800-238-3150. Use the link below to download a sample file.

Links
TIGER/ZIP + 4 Technical Guide PDF

Sample TIGER/ZIP + 4 File

Z4INFO is designed to give the mailer additional information to improve quality of the mailing address. The Z4INFO product is part of the Address Quality products sold to software developers who may integrate it into current products and processes for customers (end users) who process address lists. Z4INFO integration with the address matching engines used by major mailers helps reduce the amount of undeliverable-as-addressed mail.

Z4INFO works in conjunction with the ZIP + 4^® product to improve the quality of address matching by providing a code describing the acceptable format for the primary and secondary address information in a particular ZIP + 4 block face.

To learn more about Z4INFO, contact the National Customer Support Center at 800-238-3150.