RIBBS - USPS National Customer Support Center

RIBBS Intelligent Mail^® Barcode Resource Download Site

The Intelligent Mail barcode (formerly known as the 4-State Customer Barcode) is the next generation of USPS^® barcode technology used to sort and track letters and flats. Intelligent Mail barcode technology, among other things, combines the capabilities of the POSTNET™ barcode

Important Links

Windows and Mainframe Encoder Software and Fonts
Barcode Decoder/Encoder
Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
Steps to Create the Intelligent Mail Barcode (PDF)
Intelligent Mail Barcode Specification
ACS™

and the PLANET Code^® barcode into one unique barcode.

Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
Get answers to most frequently asked questions.

Steps to Create the Intelligent Mail Barcode (PDF)
Handout with high-level step-by-step instructions on how to use the Intelligent Mail barcode. Learn about the key components and what you need to consider before creating the barcode.

Resource Guide (PDF)
Get background information and learn about the challenges and advantages of using Intelligent Mail barcode. The document also talks about the barcode construct, its symbology and print specifications.

Intelligent Mail Barcode Specification
Learn about the data content to be encoded, encoding rules to produce bars from data fields, physical dimensions of printed barcodes, and physical limitations on printing. The specification document (USPS-B-3200) also covers how the encoding and decoding algorithms work and provides code snippets written in C.

Mailer ID Application
Obtain instructions and application materials to request your Mailer ID for use in the Intelligent Mail barcode. The Mailer ID application process describes the steps for contacting your local Business Mail Entry Unit (BMEU) or Mailpiece Design Analyst (MDA).

IMb Tracing™ (PDF)
Learn how to obtain mail tracing data through the use of the Intelligent Mail Barcode by reviewing the IMb Tracing User Guide. For more information on IMb Tracing, please call the IMb Tracing Customer Help Desk at 800-238-3150, option 1 or visit https://mailtracking.usps.com.

MASS™
Information regarding MASS certification.

Videos and Presentations
These videos and presentations contain information regarding the Intelligent Mail barcode. They were introduced at the National Postal Forum.

Barcode Decoder/Encoder
Use this online tool to quickly Decode (convert a sequence of bars into meaningful tracking and delivery point ZIP^® information) or Encode (generate a barcode based on tracking and delivery point ZIP information) the Intelligent Mail barcode.

List of Intelligent Mail Barcode Resources (PDF)
Get information about the tools and applications available to you from the Postal Service™ as well as from vendors for creating and validating the Intelligent Mail barcode.

Encoder Software and Fonts
The Postal Service provides software support for 24 combinations of language environments (C, Java 2, COBOL, and PL/1) on 9 unique platforms (z/OS, VSE/ESA, OS/400, AIX, Linux, Solaris, HP/UX, Mac, and Windows). For printing Intelligent Mail^® barcodes in a production environment, a variety of Intelligent Mail barcode fonts are available for 5 major production printing environments: AFP (MVS, AS/400, VM, VSE), HP PCL, PostScript, Xerox Metacode, and TrueType.

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