When CASS Certified™ address-matching software cannot match an address to the ZIP + 4^® Product, the address becomes a candidate for Address Element Correction (AEC). AEC is a service that corrects and standardizes address elements. AEC processing may transform problem addresses into accurate, standardized addresses, which allows mailers to take full advantage of automation discounts.

AEC focuses on correcting address element deficiencies such as misspellings, nonstandard abbreviations, incorrectly joined elements, improperly ordered elements, address lines containing data other than the actual address, and missing elements. After resolving address element issues, AEC matches the address against the ZIP + 4 Product using CASS Certified address-matching software, resulting in a correct, standardized address.

AEC II™ is the next generation of AEC. AEC II uses Delivery Force Knowledge™ to correct the errors in addresses that are not correctible by existing programs. Delivery Force Knowledge leverages the efforts of local delivery unit employees who review bad addresses and enter corrections into an AEC II electronic process for return to the submitting customer. AEC II participants must process their file through AEC first.

For additional information contact the National Customer Support Center at 800-238-3150 or visit the AEC website on RIBBS. Click the appropriate link below to view the AEC & AEC II User Guide.

Links
AEC & AEC II User Guide PDF

Address List Sequencing Service is a manual process that is a prerequisite to the electronic process of list sequencing, Computerized Delivery Sequence (CDS). Address List Sequencing is a service provided to mailers who have mailing lists containing at least 90 percent—but not more than 110 percent— of the total possible deliveries in a 5-digit ZIP Code™ area. The Postal Service receives cards from the mailer containing mailing addresses and sequences the addresses in delivery order. The mailer can then place mail in sequence and present it to the Postal Service as carrier-ready mail.

The Postal Service does not compile mailing lists: Address List Sequencing is designed primarily for use in high-density or saturation mailings to a particular area for mailers who already maintain a list. The following levels of address sequencing are available:

• Sequencing of address cards (DMM 507.7.3.9)
• Sequencing of address cards, with blank cards added for missing addresses (DMM 507.7.4)
• Sequencing of address cards, with cards added containing missing and new addresses (DMM 507.7.5).

Customers are expected to incorporate the changes in their mailings within 75 days after they receive the sequenced cards.

Address List Sequencing provides mailers:

• Cleaner mailing lists
• Reduced handling of mail due to the elimination of non-deliverable mailpieces
• Increased revenue potential due to addresses added to mailing lists
• More timely and consistent delivery

For more information about Address List Sequencing Service, contact the National Customer Support Center at 800-238-3150.

Electronic Address Sequencing Service (EAS) is available to mailers who wish to have their address lists electronically processed under one of three options:

1. DMM^® 507.8.3.9 – Sequenced and non-existent addresses removed,
2. DMM 507.8.4 – Sequenced, non-existent addresses removed, and
    missing address locations identified, or
3. DMM 507.8.5 – Sequenced, non-existent addresses removed, and
    missing addresses added, if qualified.

Fees are associated with processing all levels. DMM 507.8 is required for Computerized Delivery Sequence (CDS) product qualification.

To obtain additional information about EAS contact the National Customer Support Center at 800-238-3150 or visit the RIBBS website at https://ribbs.usps.gov. On RIBBS you can view the EAS User Guide and other related documents.

How does IMb Tracing help my business?

For outgoing mail:

• Obtain near-real-time notification when your mail receives its last processing scan.
• Identify mail delivery trends and ensure delivery is within in-home dates.
• Know when your message reached your audience so you can synchronize multichannel marketing.
• Enable fulfillment, staffing, and inventory planning based on mail delivery.

For incoming mail:

• Obtain near-real-time notification when your return mail enters the mailstream.
• Know when return items are on the way so you can better manage your supply chain.
• Manage cash flow and accounts receivable more effectively.
• Evaluate the success of advertising campaigns in near real-time.

How do I get started with IMb Tracing?

To learn more or get started with IMb Tracing, visit our website or contact our customer support center.

Mail:    USPS National Customer Support Center
           ATTN: IMb Tracing
           225 N. Humphreys Blvd, Ste 501
           Memphis, TN 38188-1001

Telephone:  800-238-3150
Email:           IMbTracing@usps.gov
Website:      https://mailtracking.usps.com

The LACSLink product provides mailers an automated method of obtaining new addresses when:

• a 911 emergency system has been implemented to convert rural-style Addresses to city-style addresses.
• a street address has been renamed or renumbered.

Address Management Systems (AMS) offices across the country collect and transfer information for this database to the National Customer Support Center in Memphis, TN.

The LACS service is available through all NCOALink^® Full Service Provider Licensees and companies utilizing CASS Certified™ software. This service is offered as a stand-alone process or as a front-end process with the NCOALink service to ensure a high quality mailing list.

Input address information provided by a mailer to the licensee is first standardized according to Publication 28, Postal Addressing Standards to conform with U.S. Postal Service^® requirements including the ZIP + 4^® code. Once the address is standardized the input address is considered to be a candidate for matching against the LACSLink data under the following conditions…

• the address matches to a Rural Route or Highway Contract Record on the ZIP + 4 file
• the address matches a record that has an “L” in the LACS Status indicator in the ZIP + 4 file
• the address does not match a record in the ZIP + 4 file

If an exact match is made with the old address information to the LACSLink data files, the new address should be provided to the mailer.

LACSLink benefits include…

• reduces undeliverable mail by providing the most current address information for matches made to the LACS file
• prevents the need for duplicate mailpieces or re-mailings after address corrections are received since the address correction is applied prior to the mailing
• lowers mailer costs by reducing the number of undeliverable and/or duplicate mailpieces by using the most current address information
• provides the opportunity for faster product/service marketing through accurate mail delivery

A ZIP™ Code listing (Microsoft Word Format) contains one column of ZIP Codes and quantities of records on the LACS database. Currently, there are approximately 5.8 million records on the LACS database of addresses that have been converted. (e.g., E-911 changes, etc.)

This listing will give mailers a good indication whether or not an area on their mailing list has undergone conversion based on the ZIP Code of their customers.

NOTE: Just because a ZIP Code is found on this list, mailers should not assume that all the converted addresses have made it to the file. There are parts of the country that have only reported a percentage of their changes and therefore, the LACS database is not yet complete.

For more information, contact the National Customer Support Center at 800- 238-3150.

Links
Licensees

ZIP Code™ listing of converted address TXT

The Postal Service™ has redesigned a number of forms and labels for Extra Services to incorporate an Intelligent Mail^® package barcode (IMpb). This includes PS Form 3800, Certified Mail Receipt,; PS Form 3813-P, Insured Mail Receipt; Label 200, Registered Mail™; PS Form 3811, Domestic Return Receipt, and PS Form 3804, Return Receipt for Merchandise. Special Services barcodes will be scanned upon acceptance and delivery and an electronic record will be created for delivery information.

Certified Mail^® service provides the sender with a mailing receipt and verification that an item was delivered or delivery was attempted. A delivery receipt is signed by the recipient, and the delivery record is kept by the Postal Service. Customers may get a delivery record (which includes the recipient’s signature) by purchasing Return Receipt service. Certified Mail is dispatched and handled in transit as ordinary mail.

Insured Mail for items insured for more than $200, a delivery receipt is signed by the recipient, and the delivery record is kept by the Postal Service. Insured mail is dispatched and handled in transit as ordinary mail. Customers may get a delivery record (which includes the recipient’s signature) by purchasing Return Receipt service. In addition, the mail must bear the complete names and addresses of both the sender and the sender requesting the Certified Mail service.

Registered Mail™ is the most secure service that the Postal Service offers. It utilizes a system of receipts to monitor the movement of the mail from the point of acceptance to the point of delivery. Registered Mail service provides the sender with PS Form 3806, Receipt for Registered Mail, as a mailing receipt. A delivery receipt is signed by the recipient, and the delivery information is kept by the Postal Service. Customers can retrieve verification that the item was delivered or delivery was attempted online, by phone, or by electronic file transfer.

Domestic Return Receipt service provides a mailer with evidence of delivery (to whom the mail was delivered and the date of delivery). A return receipt also supplies the recipient's actual delivery address if it is different from the address used by the sender. A return receipt may be requested before or after mailing. Return receipt service requires one of the following classes or domestic services…

• Priority Mail Express™ (Form 3811 postcard only)
• Priority Mail^® (excluding Critical Mail^®) and
• First-Class Mail^® when:
  • purchased at the time of mailing with Certified Mail, COD, insurance (for more than $200), or Registered Mail service
• Standard Post™ and
• Library Mail when:
  • purchased at the time of mailing with COD or insurance (for more than $200)

Return Receipt for Merchandise provides the sender with a mailing receipt (PS Form 3804) and a return receipt (PS Form 3811). A delivery receipt is signed by the recipient, and the delivery record is kept by the Postal Service. Return receipt for merchandise also supplies the recipient's actual delivery address if it is different from the address used by the sender. Mail using this service is dispatched and handled in transit as ordinary mail. This service does not include insurance coverage. Return Receipt for Merchandise may not be requested after mailing, and restricted delivery service is not available.

To learn more about Extra Services and to obtain pricing information, please visit Mail Tracking & Reporting or contact a representative at the National Customer Support Center at 800-279-2651.

Visit Mail Tracking & Reporting now