Smart Parcel Mailer with Postage $aver Pro User Guide

Transcription

1 Smart Parcel Mailer with Postage $aver Pro User Guide Updated June, 2018 Copyright 2018 Postage $aver Software Table of Contents General User Information... 3 What Smart Parcel Mailer with Postage $aver Pro does... 3 USPS certification for Smart Parcel Mailer... 4 Purchasing Smart Parcel Mailer with Postage $aver Pro... 4 Smart Parcel Mailer Upgrade for Current Postage $aver Pro Users... 4 How to get lost registration codes... 4 How to install on a different machine... 5 Update policy... 5 How to reach us... 5 Bulk Parcel Mailing Basics... 7 How are bulk parcel mailings different from other bulk mailings?... 7 What are Intelligent Mail Package Barcodes (IMpB)?... 7 What qualifies as a parcel?... 8 Which category to use?... 8 Applying for USPS Approval to Ship Parcels at Bulk Pricing... 10

2 Smart Parcel Mailer with Postage $aver Pro User Guide Page 2 Sign up for an account on the USPS Business Customer Gateway Get a USPS Mailer ID Sign up for the Parcel Data Exchange (PDX) service Sign up to receive your tracking files on the Parcel Data Exchange Create a set of test labels and submit a test SSF file Wait for an from USPS confirming that your file has been accepted Submit your labels for USPS approval Creating a Parcel Mailing using Smart Parcel Mailer and your Mailing List File Setting up your mailing list file Preparing Your Mailing Using Smart Parcel Mailer with Postage $aver Pro Submitting the Shipping Service File (SSF) Retrieving your tracking information Help for Label Set-up Screens Label and Barcode Setup screen Field Selections for your File screen Manually Creating Barcoded Tags and Placards for Sacks and Pallets About barcoded tags and placards Creating barcoded sack tags Creating barcoded container placards for pallets Odds and Ends Running Smart Parcel Mailer without Postage $aver Pro Running Smart Parcel Mailer from the command line or shell (Windows only)... 40

3 Smart Parcel Mailer with Postage $aver Pro User Guide Page 3 General User Information What Smart Parcel Mailer with Postage $aver Pro does Smart Parcel Mailer creates United States Postal Service (USPS) barcoded mailing labels, the USPS Shipping Services File (SSF) required for bulk rate parcel mailings, and barcoded USPS parcel sack tags. Smart Parcel Mailer is designed to be used with Postage $aver Pro, our bulk mail sorting software, but it can be used with other software if that software is able to export the sack tag data required for the Shipping Services File. You can use Smart Parcel Mailer with Postage $aver Pro to: sort your mailing list according to the sacks required for USPS bulk parcel rates; print required USPS documentation for each mailing; add USPS extra services, such as insurance, restricted delivery, tracking, etc.; add USPS address correction options; print USPS barcoded sack tags for each mailing, and print additional tags manually as needed; create barcoded mailing labels with Intelligent Mail Package Barcodes, per USPS requirements; and, create the required USPS Shipping Services File (SSF) for each mailing, and transmit the file automatically to USPS. Smart Parcel Mailer with Postage $aver Pro supports the following USPS bulk parcel mailing classes: First Class Package Services; Standard Class Marketing Parcels; Standard Class Nonprofit Parcels; Parcel Select Lightweight Parcels. Postage $aver Pro (separate from Smart Parcel Mailer) prepares letter-sized and flat-sized mail as well. For complete details on Postage $aver Pro, please see the Postage $aver Pro User Guide. The trial version of Smart Parcel Mailer has all the features of the registered version, except that it will stop operating after 45 days. It can be converted into a registered version simply by entering a correct registration code. Smart Parcel Mailer is compatible with mailing lists saved as Access, Excel, dbase, comma-separated (.csv), and tab-separated-text files. Lists saved in other formats, such as Microsoft Works, can generally be exported to one of these standard formats for Smart Parcel Mailer to use. If you are new to bulk mailing and/or need more information about how to prepare a bulk mailing, please see the Bulkmail 101 section of our web site for more details. Postal regulations often change, and we update Smart Parcel Mailer to stay current with those changes. Using an out-of-date version of Smart Parcel Mailer could cause your mail to be rejected. To find out if this is the latest version of Smart Parcel Mailer, please see our update page.

4 Smart Parcel Mailer with Postage $aver Pro User Guide Page 4 USPS certification for Smart Parcel Mailer Smart Parcel Mailer is certified by the USPS to meet the requirements for parcel labels and for properly creating and transmitting the required Shipper Services File (SSF). Purchasing Smart Parcel Mailer with Postage $aver Pro If you received this copy of Smart Parcel Mailer with Postage $aver Pro as a demo, then you must purchase to continue using this software beyond the first 45 days. When you purchase, you receive: a registration code that allows you to continue to run this demo copy beyond the initial 45-day trial period; updated files for a full year as necessary to stay in compliance with USPS regulations; free bug fixes for a year as necessary; full technical support via and phone; Smart Parcel Mailer costs only $ (Current Postage $aver Pro users please see below for discounted upgrade to add Smart Parcel Mailer.) You can purchase in the following ways: To purchase on the web using VISA, Master Card, American Express, Discover or PayPal, please go to our online order page for immediate delivery by Internet download, or to order a copy on CD-ROM. To purchase by check or government purchase order, or by credit card by mail or fax, please see our mail/fax order form. Thank you for your order! Smart Parcel Mailer Upgrade for Current Postage $aver Pro Users If you already own Postage $aver Pro, you can add Smart Parcel Mailer for only $99.50! To take advantage of this discount, please go to our upgrade order page. How to get lost registration codes If you lose your registration code, or your latest update code, you can retrieve them automatically from our web site. Go to our Resend Codes page, enter the address that we have on file for your registration, and we will your codes to you immediately. It's that easy. We maintain registration codes for one year from your date of purchase, or, if you own a registered copy of Postage $aver Pro, we will maintain your registration codes for as long as you have a current registration for Postage $aver Pro. Sorry, we do not have registration codes available for older purchases.

5 Smart Parcel Mailer with Postage $aver Pro User Guide Page 5 How to install on a different machine You may download a current copy of Smart Parcel Mailer with Postage $aver Pro at any time by using the link in your original registration . If you are using the same computer that has a previous registered copy of Smart Parcel Mailer, the new copy will automatically detect your registration information. If you are on a different computer, or if you have reformatted your hard drive, you will need to enter your original registration code to convert the demo into a registered copy. If you do not have your registration , you can retrieve it automatically from our web site. Go to our Resend Codes and Download Instructions page, enter the address that we have on file for your registration, and we will send a copy of your registration to you automatically. We maintain registration codes for one year from your date of purchase, or, if you own a registered copy of Postage $aver Pro, we will maintain your registration codes for as long as you have a current registration for Postage $aver Pro. Sorry, we do not have registration codes available for older purchases. Update policy We will provide any bug fixes and updates based on new postal regulations at no charge within one year of your purchase date. We normally notify you of these updates via , and provide these updates via the Internet. If you paid an additional fee for updates via regular mail, we will mail them to you on CD-ROM. We may also notify you by , if we have your address, to speed your receipt of any new information. We learn of changes to bulk mail requirements through the Domestic Mail Manual and other official USPS sources. We are not obligated to notify you of any change that is not announced via a revision to the Domestic Mail Manual, although we may notify you of changes prior to such revision. It is your responsibility to send us any changes to or regular mail addresses. We will discontinue notifications if your is returned to us as undeliverable. We will discontinue regular mail notifications if your regular mail is returned without a forwarding address. Make sure you include savepostage.com as an accepted sender in any spam filter you may have. Otherwise, our update notices may be rejected by your system as spam. We are not responsible for updating Smart Parcel Mailer or Postage $aver Pro if the USPS makes major changes in the bulk mail system that would, in our judgment, make it impractical for us for update your version of Smart Parcel Mailer to remain in compliance. How to reach us To reach us for tech support, customer service and all other questions, please go to the customer support page on our web site. The customer support link above is generally the fastest way to get an answer to your question. In addition to a direct web form to contact us, there are also links to automatically receive a copy of your registration or recent update notices, along with a list of frequent questions. You can also reach us:

6 Smart Parcel Mailer with Postage $aver Pro User Guide Page 6 by phone: by fax: by mail: 6000 Reims #2605, Houston, TX Table of Contents Questions?

7 Smart Parcel Mailer with Postage $aver Pro User Guide Page 7 Bulk Parcel Mailing Basics How are bulk parcel mailings different from other bulk mailings? USPS uses sorting and distribution methods for parcels that is different from that for other types of mail. In some ways, this makes it easier to prepare bulk parcels. In other ways, it makes it more complicated. Smart Parcel Mailer is designed to do the hard parts for you. Bulk parcel mailing is easier that other bulk mailing because: Five-digit zip codes are sufficient. Although full nine-digit zip codes and delivery point codes are helpful, they are not required for creating bulk parcel barcodes; Bulk parcel mailing is more complicated than other bulk mailing because: Address labels must conform to a specific USPS parcel label format, including an Intelligent Mail Package Barcode (IMpB) and specific wording; Each shipment must be submitted electronically to USPS prior to submitting the actual mailing. The electronic file must be in a specific format, which Smart Parcel Mailer creates; Before submitting a mailing, each mailer must apply for and receive certification from USPS, demonstrating that the mailer can produce accurate barcodes and electronic files. This is a requirement even if the mailer is using certified software, like Smart Parcel Mailer. Not all printers can print an IMpB barcode with sufficient accuracy to meet USPS requirements. One major advantage of bulk parcel mailing is that USPS now provides electronic tracking at no extra charge (or, in Standard Class, a small extra charge.) You can also add insurance, signature confirmation, restricted delivery, and other services depending on the class of mail you are using. Smart Parcel Mailer allows you to add the services and combinations of services that are available in each class of mail that it supports. What are Intelligent Mail Package Barcodes (IMpB)? Intelligent Mail Package Barcodes (IMpBs) are barcodes, used on parcels, which can be read by USPS sorting equipment. Properly barcoded mail can be automatically routed to the correct post office, and the barcodes contain information to uniquely identify the parcel for tracking purposes. Five-digit zip codes are sufficient to create IMpBs. Nine-digit zip codes and delivery point codes are helpful to USPS but are not required. The IMpB also includes the mailer s Mailer ID. The Mailer ID is a special six-digit or nine-digit number that the USPS will assign to each mailer on request. It is not the same as your permit number or your CRID number. You can request a Mailer ID by creating an account or logging into an existing USPS account at the USPS Business Customer Gateway.

8 Smart Parcel Mailer with Postage $aver Pro User Guide Page 8 Each IMpB also includes a unique serial number for each parcel, assigned by Smart Parcel Mailer. The combination of the Mailer ID and the serial number provide a barcode that is unique within the postal system, allowing the parcel to be tracked as it travels. What qualifies as a parcel? Parcels are generally defined as anything that can be mailed that is not a letter or a flat. A piece could be a parcel because it is too large in at least one dimension to be a flat. Or, it could, under some circumstances, be small enough to be a flat but not meet the flexibility requirement for flats. (Flats have to go around curves in automated sorting equipment so they have to bend, whereas parcels are sorted on conveyors so they are generally rigid.) A piece typically qualifies for bulk mail parcel pricing if it weighs less than 16 ounces (no more than 13 ounces for First Class parcels) and meets any of the following: is more than 15 inches in its longest dimension; or, is more than 12 inches in its second longest dimension; or, is more than ¾ inches thick; or, is rigid (does not bend, regardless of size); or, is nonrectangular (like a mailing tube, regardless of size); or, has bumps, protrusions, or other irregularities that cause its thickness to vary by more than ¼ inch. Bulk parcels typically cannot be larger than 27 x 17 x 17 in any dimension. A mailing tube must not be more than 26 inches long. It must be large enough to hold the USPS-format mailing label. (Smart Parcel Mailer s labels are 6 x 4.) Standard Class marketing parcels have special size limits, as shown below. Which category to use? Smart Parcel Mailer supports four different categories of bulk parcel mailing. Which one you should use depends on the level of service you need, whether you are a commercial or non-commercial mailer, and the purpose of your mailing. Here are some comparisons. Please note that postal regulations are complicated and this is not meant as a complete guide to all the rules governing parcels. First Class parcels: Fastest delivery; Most expensive postage; Limited to 13 ounces or less; Forwarding included in price, subject to USPS time limits; Electronic tracking included in price; Broadest array of available additional services for the mailer, including certified mail and registered mail service; 500 piece minimum per mailing;

9 Smart Parcel Mailer with Postage $aver Pro User Guide Page 9 Requires annual First Class presort mailing fee, which allows mailing of presorted First Class letters, flats and parcels. Parcel Select Lightweight parcels: Lower cost alternative to First Class but slower delivery; Forwarding services available for extra charge; Electronic tracking included in price; Optional services include insurance, signature confirmation and restricted delivery. Does not provide certified or registered mail services; Each mailing must have at least 200 pieces or 50 pounds (whichever is lower). Requires annual presort mailing fee, but same fee covers Parcel Select Lightweight and Standard Class, and includes mailing of presorted Standard Class letters, flats and parcels. Standard Mail marketing parcels: An economy service for promotional mailings or product samples only. Cannot be used for order fulfillment; Address must include an alternative address format, such as occupant or or current resident ; Since piece carries an alternative address format, no forwarding occurs; Cannot exceed 12 inches in its longest dimension; Cannot exceed 9 inches in its second longest dimension; Cannot exceed 2 inches thick, but is at least.009 inches thick; if it is ¼ inch thick or less: o it must be at least 5 inches in its longest dimension; and, o it must be at least 3½ inches in its second longest dimension; Electronic tracking offered at a small extra charge; No insurance or other services available other than tracking; Each mailing must have at least 200 pieces or 50 pounds (whichever is lower). Requires annual presort mailing fee, but same fee covers Standard Class and Parcel Select Lightweight, and includes mailing of presorted Standard Class letters, flats and parcels. Standard Mail parcels other than marketing parcels: Available only for mailers approved by USPS as nonprofit mailers; Similar to Parcel Select Lightweight, but postage is lower due to nonprofit discount; Forwarding services available for extra charge; Electronic tracking offered at a small extra charge; Optional services include insurance and restricted delivery. Does not provide certified or registered mail services; Each mailing must have at least 200 pieces or 50 pounds (whichever is lower). Requires annual presort mailing fee, but same fee covers Standard Class and Parcel Select Lightweight, and includes mailing of presorted Standard Class letters flats and parcels. Bulk parcel pricing is also available for USPS Bound Printed Matter, but is not currently supported by Smart Parcel Mailer or Postage $aver Pro. Table of Contents Questions?

10 Smart Parcel Mailer with Postage $aver Pro User Guide Page 10 Applying for USPS Approval to Ship Parcels at Bulk Pricing Before you can ship parcels at bulk prices, USPS must certify your labels and electronic file for compliance with USPS standards. Even though Smart Parcel Mailer has been certified for accuracy, USPS requires that each mailer must pass a certification process. Sign up for an account on the USPS Business Customer Gateway The first step necessary for shipping bulk parcels is to have an account on the USPS business customer gateway. If you don t already have an account, simply sign up for one at Get a USPS Mailer ID Once you have an account on the gateway, you need to apply for a USPS Mailer ID. This is NOT the same as your permit number, CRID number, or any other number you have from USPS. For most mailers, the USPS Mailer ID will be a nine-digit number beginning with 9. Mailers with very large volumes of mail will receive a six-digit number instead of a nine-digit number. Your Mailer ID is used to identify you as the mailer for any barcoded mailing you create. If you don t already have a USPS Mailer ID, you can request one on the gateway. Log in to the gateway, and click on Mailing Services on the left. Find Mailer ID on the list of services, then click on Go To Service. Follow the instructions to apply. If you already have a Mailer ID, you need to be sure that your address is connected to that Mailer ID. If the address connected with the Mailer ID is for someone else in your organization, that person will receive any s pertaining to certification of your test file. You can check your addresses and add users by going to the Manage Account section of the gateway. Sign up for the Parcel Data Exchange (PDX) service Smart Parcel Mailer sends your shipping data to USPS automatically using the USPS Parcel Data Exchange. To submit files, you need USPS to authorize you for this service. On the gateway, choose Shipping Services on the left. Find Parcel Data Exchange on the list of services, then click on Go To Service. Follow the instructions to apply. Sign up to receive your tracking files on the Parcel Data Exchange After Smart Parcel Mailer sends your shipping data to USPS, you may want to confirm that your packages have been delivered. First Class and Parcel Select Lightweight include tracking at no extra charge. Standard Class offers tracking for a very low cost per package. The easiest way to retrieve your tracking data is via the Parcel Data Exchange. USPS will post your files to PDX automatically, if you sign up to receive files that way. To sign up, you must call the USPS Confirmation Services Help Desk at Request Web Services as your outbound file

11 Smart Parcel Mailer with Postage $aver Pro User Guide Page 11 transmission option. Create a set of test labels and submit a test SSF file Once you ve taken care of all the signups, you re ready to submit test labels and a test file for certification by USPS. Smart Parcel Mailer makes this process easy for you. Start by running Smart Parcel Mailer (not Postage $aver Pro). In Smart Parcel Mailer, choose the Barcoded Parcel Labels menu, then choose Create USPS Test Labels and SSF File. Note that on Macs, the menu is at the top of the screen instead of at the top of the application. This will bring up the Label and Barcode Setup screen. Fill in the information on this screen. For help with any of the questions, click here, or click the Help button on the screen. The screen gives you the option to print a sample label. You may do this if you wish. The sample will include the return address and permit information you have entered on the screen. Note that labels are formatted for legal size sheet stock, four 4"x6" labels per sheet, such as Quill product number (Click here to order from Quill.) When you are finished with this screen, click Next. Smart Parcel Mailer will now create labels a set of test labels. When it has finished, it will show you how many labels it has successfully created. You should print your labels now, and set them aside. You won t submit them to USPS until your electronic Shipping Services File (SSF) is approved. IMPORTANT: Printing tolerances for barcoded parcel labels are fairly tight. Our experience is that typical ink jet printers are not sufficiently precise for labels to pass USPS testing. We highly recommend you use a laser printer, or better, at best quality resolution, to print your test labels. Paper quality also makes a difference. Softer, more absorbent papers tend to cause the barcode lines to widen or become raggedy, which can cause your labels to fail certification. More shiny stock, such as typically used for labels, generally gives better results.

12 Smart Parcel Mailer with Postage $aver Pro User Guide Page 12 Once you have printed your labels, you will have the option of submitting your SSF. You should say yes, which will bring up the Upload Shipping Services File to USPS screen. For this test file, all you need to fill in is your USPS gateway login information and the zip code of the post office where you would likely submit a parcel mailing. Make sure the time and date are current. Then click Send File to USPS. After a few moments, you should see a message that your file has been accepted. Note that this only means that the USPS electronic system has confirmed receiving the file. It does not mean that the file has been verified or accepted for mailing. That usually takes a few hours. If you receive a message that indicates that the file was not accepted, please follow the instructions in the message, and, if you can t solve the problem, contact us. Wait for an from USPS confirming that your file has been accepted After you submit your test file, USPS will check it to make sure it meets their specifications. Within a day or two, you should receive an confirming that your file is OK, and instructing you to submit the labels that you printed. The may have information about the USPS FTP service for submitting files. You can ignore that information. Smart Parcel Mailer uses the PDX service to submit files, so you will not need to use FTP. Note that the from USPS will be sent to the address on file for your Mailer ID. If, for some reason, that belongs to someone else in your organization, you will need to check with that person to know when it has been received. Submit your labels for USPS approval You re almost there Once your test file has been approved, you can submit your labels. You will submit the labels along with a completed copy of USPS form ps5052. On the form, you need to the YES box on YES/NO question 1 to indicate that you are applying for electronic file certification and printer certification. Submit your test labels to the address on the form. When they are received, you will receive an acknowledgement . You should then expect about a week s turnaround for USPS to test the labels. It is not unusual for labels to fail a test. As noted above, specifications for the barcode are fairly tight, and the wrong combination of printer and paper will likely cause the labels to fall out of spec. If your labels are rejected, we will work with you to diagnose and fix the problem. When your labels pass, you will receive a confirmation from USPS via . Congratulations! You can now submit actual mailings that qualify for barcoded bulk parcel rates.

13 Smart Parcel Mailer with Postage $aver Pro User Guide Page 13 Table of Contents Questions?

14 Smart Parcel Mailer with Postage $aver Pro User Guide Page 14 Creating a Parcel Mailing using Smart Parcel Mailer and your Mailing List File Setting up your mailing list file Smart Parcel Mailer with Postage $aver Pro can read and create labels from most mailing list files that are in common database file formats. This includes: Microsoft Access (.mdb or.accdb) (Windows version only) Microsoft Excel (.xls or.xlsx) Comma-separated values (.csv) Tab-delimited (.txt) dbase (.dbf) In addition, most other data applications (for example, Filemaker Pro), can save as or export your mailing list into one of these standard formats, which Smart Parcel Mailer can then read. Smart Parcel Mailer cannot read lists kept in word processing applications (like Microsoft Word.doc files), or Portable Document Format (.pdf) files. To create and print labels, and to create a correct Shipping Services File (SSF), your mailing list must have the following fields (or columns): Person s complete name in one field; or, Two separate fields for person s first name and person s last name; Company Name. Note: You may have fields for just the person s name, or just for the company name, or both, but you must have at least one or the other. Street address line. (If your street address has more than one line, the second line of the street address must be in its own field. Do not put multiple lines in the same field.) City and state together in one field (without the zip code); or, two separate fields, one for city and the other for state. State must be two-letter state abbreviation. The entire zip code (like ) in one field; or, Two separate fields, one for the five-digit part (98765) and the other for the last four digits (4321). If you are not using Postage $aver to sort your mailing list and prepare sack tags, you must have a field for the sack tag barcode for each parcel. This is not necessary if you are using Postage $aver, as the information is automatically transferred from Postage $aver to Smart Parcel Mailer. In addition to the fields listed above, your mailing list may have the following optional fields (or columns): A second street address line.

15 Smart Parcel Mailer with Postage $aver Pro User Guide Page 15 The two-digit delivery-point code (or three-digit delivery-point code with the now-obsolete check digit). (optional barcoded parcels are not required to have a CASS-certified deliverypoint code, unlike barcoded letters and flats.) Any order information you want printed on the label. Smart Parcel Mailer assigns a unique serial number to each parcel, which is added at the end of your USPS Mailer ID to create a unique tracking number for USPS. If you want Smart Parcel Mailer to record the tracking number for each parcel in your mailing, you should add a Tracking Number field to your mailing list file before you run it through Smart Parcel Mailer. The tracking number field must be able to hold at least a 22-character text string. You should not use a number format for your tracking number field, since software like Excel won't properly recognize a 22-digit number. Preparing Your Mailing Using Smart Parcel Mailer with Postage $aver Pro Once you have made sure your mailing list file has the necessary fields, you re ready to prepare your mailing. Start by running Postage $aver Pro. (If you are using Smart Parcel Mailer without Postage $aver Pro, please click here for instructions.) If you are using a demo version, or have purchased the product but have not yet entered your registration information, you will see a registration screen. Enter your registration information (including the registration number for Postage $aver), or click Run as Demo to continue. In Postage $aver, go to the Sort menu and select the sort wizard. On each of the screens in the sort wizard, you will fill in the information that applies to your own mailings. There is a complete help page for each screen, but here are some special hints for when you are using Postage $aver Pro to prepare parcels with Smart Parcel Mailer: o The first screen in the sort wizard is the Mail Categories screen. You should select the USPS mail class you plan to use. See Which category to use? in this user guide for details on each mail class. Note that Periodical Class parcels are prepared like letters and flats, rather than like other parcels, so if you are preparing Periodical Class parcels you would not use Smart Parcel Mailer. Make sure you select barcoded where the screen asks whether you will be adding barcodes. Note that depending how bulky your parcels are, it might be impossible to put 70 pounds (the USPS maximum) of parcels in one sack, so you might want to set a lower number for maximum pounds to place in any sack. o The fifth screen in the wizard is the Preferences screen (titled Postage $aver Options ). Make sure you select Save my list in USPS order as the answer to the third question on the screen. Also on this screen, the USPS Traying/Sacking options do not matter for parcels.

16 Smart Parcel Mailer with Postage $aver Pro User Guide Page 16 After the information screens are complete, you will be asked to choose the file you want to sort. Navigate to your mailing list file and select it. If your file has more than one worksheet or table, Postage $aver will ask you to select the correct one. The next screen will verify that Postage $aver can read the file, and will show you how many addresses the file contains. Postage $aver has tried to automatically figure out which fields or columns in your mailing list file are used for zip code, city and state, and will show you those guesses on this screen. The white boxes show the fields or columns in your mailing list file that Postage $aver has guessed are the ones it should use. In this example, Postage $aver figured out that the complete zip codes are in the Excel column called "Mailing Zip", and that it needs to put the tray or sack numbers in the column called "Tray", etc. If it has not matched up the correct fields, or if it has left a required field blank, click the arrow next to the white box for that field to see a list of all of the fields in your mailing list file. Then choose the appropriate field to match the information that Postage $aver needs. In the screen above, the user is selecting the field called "Mailing State" as the field where Postage $aver will find the state for each address. When you are using Postage $aver Pro with Smart Parcel Mailer, and you are preparing a parcel mailing, you only need to identify the zip code field(s), and the city and state field(s). All others (sort order, etc.) can be ignored. If you aren't sure what data is in each field in your mailing list, you can click the "next" button to see the first address in your mailing list file. The data will replace the field names in each drop-down list. You can move back and forth through your data by using the "next" and "previous" buttons. Once you have identified your zip code field(s) and your city and state field(s), click "Finish" and Postage $aver will move on to sort the file. When the sorting is finished, you can choose the reports you want to print.

17 Smart Parcel Mailer with Postage $aver Pro User Guide Page 17 Postage $aver will then save your mailing list sorting information. When it has finished, Postage $aver will give you the option to run Smart Parcel Mailer to create your labels, and you should click yes. (Even if you don t plan to print your labels immediately, you should still use Smart Parcel Mailer create the labels immediately after running Postage $aver. This will link the two applications and allow Smart Parcel Mailer to pick up necessary information directly from Postage $aver. This link will not occur if you close Postage $aver and then run Smart Parcel Mailer on its own.) Smart Parcel Mailer will now start. If you are using a demo version, or have purchased the product but have not yet entered your registration information, you will see a registration screen. Enter your registration information (including the registration number for Smart Parcel Mailer), or click Run as Demo to continue. Now you will see the Label and Barcode Setup screen. Fill in the information on this screen. For help with any of the questions, click here, or click the Help button on the screen. The screen gives you the option to print a sample label. You may do this if you wish. The sample will include the return address and permit information you have entered on the screen. Note that labels are formatted for legal size sheet stock, four 4"x6" labels per sheet, such as Quill product number (Click here to order from Quill.) When you are finished with this screen, click Next. If your mailing list file has more than one worksheet or table, Smart Parcel Mailer will ask you to select the correct one. You will now see the Field Identification screen for Smart Parcel Mailer. This works just like the one in Postage $aver, although it is arranged a little differently. For detailed instructions for this screen, click here, or click the Help button on the screen. When you are finished, click Finish. Smart Parcel Mailer will now create labels from your mailing list, and show you its progress. When it has finished, it will show you how many labels it has successfully created. If you designated a field to save the tracking number for each parcel, the tracking numbers have been saved. You can now print your labels, or you can come back to Smart Parcel Mailer later and print them. If you want to print them now, you should put legal-size label stock in your printer. (The specific stock is described above in step 3.) If you want to print your labels later, you can say no now and then print them later by running Smart Parcel Mailer (without running Postage $aver again) and choosing the Barcoded Parcel Labels menu, then choosing Print Labels You Have Created. When you have finished printing your labels, you have the option to submit your Shipping Services File (SSF) to USPS. You can do this now or you can come back to it later, but you must do it before you take your mailing to USPS. It s best to do it around a day before you take your mailing in. The process to submit the SSF is covered in the next section.

18 Smart Parcel Mailer with Postage $aver Pro User Guide Page 18 Submitting the Shipping Service File (SSF) Before you take your mailing to your post office, you must electronically submit a Shipping Services File (SSF) to USPS. Smart Parcel Mailer makes this easy. You can submit your SSF any time before you take your mailing to USPS, but it s best to do it about a day before. If you wait until you re heading to the post office, any delays in the USPS electronic system might delay your mailing. If you submit it more than a few days in advance, the USPS system will give you a warning, but it will still accept the file. Your SSF file is created and saved when your labels are created. So you cannot submit your SSF until you have created your labels. To submit your SSF file, you can click yes for that option after you print your labels. Or, if you are submitting your file later, run Smart Parcel Mailer (without running Postage $aver again) and choose the Barcoded Parcel Labels menu, then choose Upload SSF File to USPS. This will bring up the Upload Shipping Services File to USPS screen. SSF File number: The top of the screen will show the SSF file number that has been created for this mailing, and which will be included in the SSF. This should be entered in the corresponding box in your postage statement (form 3600-FCM, 3602-R, 3602N, or 3605, depending on the class of mail you are using.) If you used Postage $aver Pro to prepare your postage statement, this SSF file number was already printed on the postage statement.

19 Smart Parcel Mailer with Postage $aver Pro User Guide Page 19 USPS Business Customer Gateway login: Enter your user name and password for the USPS Business Customer Gateway. Smart Parcel Mailer will use this to automatically log you in and submit your SSF file. You can choose to have Smart Parcel Mailer save your password, or you may enter it each time. USPS Business Customer Gateway login: Enter the zip code of the post office where you will take your mailing. If you are not sure of the zip code for that post office, check with USPS. Tell USPS when to expect the mailing: Use the calendar and time boxes to enter when you expect to deliver your mailing to USPS. USPS realizes that you won t know exactly when you are going to deliver your mailing, and it does not need to be exact, but it does help USPS plan.

20 Smart Parcel Mailer with Postage $aver Pro User Guide Page 20 Choose the USPS production environment to submit the file: Check the USPS production environment for any mailing that you are actually going to submit. Use the test environment only when you are just testing the system and do not plan to mail actual parcels. When you have finished filling out the information on the screen, click Send File to USPS. After a few moments, you should see a message that your file has been accepted. Note that this only means that the USPS electronic system has confirmed receiving the file. It does not mean that the file has been verified or accepted for mailing. That usually takes a few hours. If you receive a message that indicates that the file was not accepted, please follow the instructions in the message, and, if you can t solve the problem, contact us. Retrieving your tracking information Once you ve submitted your mailing, you can check tracking information on the gateway. Log in to the gateway, then choose Shipping Services, then Parcel Data Exchange. You should see a list of the files you have submitted. Click Customer Outbound Files at the very top of the screen. Look for your Mailer ID and then click the Production button. As tracking information comes back from the field, it will be consolidated into daily files and posted to this site. Files are retained on the site for 45 days. If you are interested in a detailed explanation of the various files that are posted on the Customer Outbound Files section, you can download a USPS user guide. Table of Contents Questions?

21 Smart Parcel Mailer with Postage $aver Pro User Guide Page 21 Help for Label Set-up Screens Label and Barcode Setup screen The Label and Barcode Setup screen must be completed fully and correctly for Smart Parcel Mailer to create USPS-approved labels with accurate Intelligent Mail Package barcodes. This section explains each of the items on the Label and Barcode Setup screen. Mailer Identification: In this section, you enter information for your organization and for the organization for which you are preparing the mailing, if that s different from your organization. You USPS Mailer ID is a 6-digit or 9-digit number that you get from the USPS. It is NOT the same as your permit number or CRID. If you do not have a Mailer ID, you can request one by going to the USPS Business Customer Gateway. This field is required. If you are preparing the mailing for a different organization, you may enter their Mailer ID or USPS CRID number if you wish. If you enter their Mailer ID or USPS CRID number, they will be able to access tracking information for the mailing, if they are set up with USPS to receive tracking information. If you do not enter their Mailer ID or USPS CRID number, only your organization will be able to see tracking information for this mailing. Return Address for the Labels: This is just what it says you simply enter the return address you want to print on your labels. You must enter your city, state and zip in the bottom line in the proper format, as this information will be used in the SSF file. Note that Smart Parcel Mailer will remove any blank lines when it prints the labels. So in the example above, the three lines of the address will be printed without the blank third line that is shown.

22 Smart Parcel Mailer with Postage $aver Pro User Guide Page 22 Postage Payment: Smart Parcel Mailer allows you to choose from three different ways to pay your postage. You can pay using a postal permit account (in which case a postage paid box, called an indicia, will be printed on your labels). You can use a meter strip, or you can use precancelled stamps. USPS requires you to indicate the zip code of the post office where, as applicable, your permit is held, your meter is registered, or you purchased your precancelled stamps. Smart Parcel Mailer includes this information in the Shipping Services File that is submitted for your mailing. If you are using a permit account to pay your postage, you also must indicate the city and state where your permit is held, along with the permit number. This information will be printed on your labels, and will be included in the Shipping Services File. Choose your class of mail: Smart Parcel Mailer supports three classes of mail: First Class Package Service, Standard Class Parcels, and Parcel Select Lightweight. Here is where you tell Smart Parcel Mailer what class of mail you are sending. First Class mail works the same and costs the same whether you are a commercial firm or a nonprofit organization. There is no special discount for nonprofit organizations. Standard Class has two different categories of parcel: marketing and not marketing. Marketing parcels are typically samples of a product that are sent unsolicited to a group of addresses. Marketing parcels (regular and nonprofit) must bear an alternate addressing format (such as OR CURRENT RESIDENT ) and cannot be used for fulfillment purposes'' (i.e. the sending of items

23 Smart Parcel Mailer with Postage $aver Pro User Guide Page 23 specifically purchased or requested by the customer of a mailer). Standard Class marketing parcels can be sent by commercial or nonprofit organizations. If you are sending parcels for fulfillment, rather than marketing, and you are a commercial firm, you would use Parcel Select Lightweight. You may use a Standard Class permit to ship via Parcel Select Lightweight. If you are a nonprofit organization, you can use either Parcel Select Lightweight or Standard Class Not Marketing. In general, Standard Class Not Marketing will cost you less for postage. Shape of parcel: This selection indicates the shape of the parcel you are mailing. Machinable parcels are rectangular or cubic, and must meet certain size and weight requirements. Irregular parcels are parcels that are not machinable, including mailing tubes and rectangular parcels that don t meet the size or weight requirements to be considered machinable. Irregular parcels generally have somewhat higher postage prices than machinable parcels. Endorsement line for the labels: This selection determines what endorsement line, if any, will be printed on the labels. The endorsement line tells USPS what to do, if anything, if the addressee no longer lives or works at the address on the label. The rules for endorsement lines are complicated. You can find information their use at We recommend you consult with USPS before selecting any particular address change option. Note that these endorsement lines are completely different from the optional endorsement line (OEL) that is used as part of the address on mailings of flat-sized pieces. (They look like ******5-digit )

24 Smart Parcel Mailer with Postage $aver Pro User Guide Page 24 Additional services: USPS offers various additional services when you ship parcels. These services include various kinds of tracking, return receipts, insurance. etc. The services offered, and combinations of services offered, are different for each class of mail. You may indicate special services in this box. Smart Parcel Mailer will print the correct information on the label for the services you select, and will encode the services into the barcode. If you select insurance or registered mail, you must enter an amount in the corresponding value box. If you are using Postage $aver Pro to create your postage statement, you should make sure you select the same additional services in Postage $aver Pro so that the cost of the services is included in your postage total on the postage statement. Smart Parcel Mailer will not allow you to select services or combinations of services that are not allowed for the class of mail you are using. First serial number for this mailing: Each Intelligent Mail Package barcode includes a serial number. Smart Parcel Mailer encodes a unique serial number into each barcode it creates. The serial number is added to the Mailer ID to create a tracking number that is unique throughout USPS. The first serial number that will be assigned to a piece in this mailing is shown in the corresponding box in this section. You can set this to any number from 1 to 9,999,999, if you have a 9-digit Mailer ID, or from 1 to 9,999,999,999, if you have a 6-digit Mailer ID. However, you must not use the same serial number on more than one parcel within any 45-day period.

25 Smart Parcel Mailer with Postage $aver Pro User Guide Page 25 In general, you should simply let Smart Parcel Mailer take care of assigning serial numbers, and not change the number that you see in the box. Smart Parcel Mailer will assign serial numbers in order starting with the number in the box, and then update the box when the mailing is complete. However, if you use more than one computer or software program to create package barcodes for the same Mailer ID, or if you have reinstalled the software, you must manually set the starting serial number to a number that has not been used in the previous 45 days. Where should tracking numbers be saved? This option allows you to either add the tracking numbers to your mailing list file, save them in a separate file, or not save them at all. If you have added a field to your mailing list file to save tracking numbers, you should generally choose Add them to my file. Use this for Excel files, Access files, dbase files, comma-separated files, tabseparated files or Church Windows files. If you are using Filemaker Pro for your mailing list file, or similar software that allows you to import one or more fields at a time into an existing record, you should choose "Create a separate file of tracking #s only". If you don t want the tracking numbers, choose the third option. Name of tracking #s only file, if chosen: This choice only matters if you chose Create a separate file of tracking #s only above. The file created by Smart Parcel Mailer can either be automatically named "tracking.txt", or you can choose to name it yourself each time it is created. If you name it yourself, Smart Parcel Mailer will stop and display the standard "Save File" window each time it sorts a file. Otherwise, it will save the file without stopping to display the window. If the file is named automatically, it will be saved in your Documents folder. Table of Contents Questions?

26 Smart Parcel Mailer with Postage $aver Pro User Guide Page 26 Field Selections for your File screen On this screen, you can confirm that you have opened the correct file that you want to sort. You also use this screen to tell Smart Parcel Mailer where the information it needs is located in your file. This screen is not on any menu but appears automatically when you choose a mailing list file to sort. If you are using Smart Parcel Mailer with Church Windows, you will not see this screen, since fields are identified automatically. File Information: Smart Parcel Mailer will scan the mailing list file you have selected to determine its format and the number of records. If this does not match what you expect to see, make sure you have selected the correct file. The name of the file you have selected is displayed above the screen. Sometimes, the number of records shown might included records that have been deleted from your file but not actually erased by your data base program. If this is a Microsoft Access file, try running compact file in Access to eliminate unwanted records. If the screen shows one extra record, that may be because there is a field names record at the top of the file. For example, in Excel, there is usually a row that contains the names of the columns. You should not be concerned about a record count that is off by just one extra record. Field selection lists: Your mailing list file has various pieces of information for each address, such as the zip code, the city, etc. Each piece of information is in a separate field or column in your mailing list file. In some files, each field/column has a name to identify the contents of the field/column. In other files, only the actual mailing list data is included. Here is part of an Excel file showing columns with column names and mailing list data. Row 1 has the column names; row 2 and below has the mailing list data. Smart Parcel Mailer needs to know which fields or columns contain the information it needs to sort your mail. For example, in the file shown above, Smart Parcel Mailer needs to know that the zip code is in the fifth column, and the delivery point code is in the sixth column.

27 Smart Parcel Mailer with Postage $aver Pro User Guide Page 27 Each item that Smart Parcel Mailer uses has a section on the Field Identification Screen, so you can tell Smart Parcel Mailer where to find that item in your mailing list file. For example, Smart Parcel Mailer needs to know the zip code for each address, so there is a section where you can tell Smart Parcel Mailer where to find the zip code in your mailing list file (note that the whole zip code can either be in a single field, as shown in the Excel file above, or can be split into two fields): In each section, there is a drop-down list (shown by the arrow) that shows all of the fields/columns in your mailing list file, one address at a time. If your mailing list file has field names, the list will show those. Otherwise, it will show the first address in the file. (You can use the Record being viewed buttons to step through the file to see other addresses if you need to.) Here s the drop-down list showing the field names the Smart Parcel Mailer automatically found in the Excel file shown above: Since this Excel file has the entire zip code in one column (rather than splitting it into two columns), you would use the drop-down list next to Complete Zip Code (as shown), and select the Zip column: After you make your selection, it will show in the box at the top of the list: When you open your mailing list file in Smart Parcel Mailer, Smart Parcel Mailer will try to figure out which fields in your file match the information it needs, and will make selections from the lists on this screen for you automatically. If Smart Parcel Mailer has guessed correctly, you can leave it alone. But if

28 Smart Parcel Mailer with Postage $aver Pro User Guide Page 28 Smart Parcel Mailer has left an item it needs blank, or has chosen incorrectly, you should make the correct selection for that item. A field in your data file cannot be assigned to more than one item, since there is no circumstance under which Smart Parcel Mailer would want to read the field for two different items of information. If a field is assigned to one item, like Complete Zip Code, and you then try to assign it to another item, like First 5 Digits, it will be removed from the first item and that box will become blank. You can clear ALL boxes by clicking on Clear Selections at the bottom of the screen. Or, you can clear an individual box by double-clicking on its label (For example, clear the complete zip code box by doubleclicking on Complete Zip Code.) Person s Name and Company Name fields: To print labels, you need to provide fields for either a person s name, a company name, or both. The person s name can either be in one field, or it can be split into a first name field and a separate last name field. Address fields: To print labels, you need a field for the street address. You must specify the field in your mailing list file that contains the street address. If you use two lines for the street address, you may also specify a field for the second line of the address, which will be printed on the label when the field is not blank. City and State fields:

29 Smart Parcel Mailer with Postage $aver Pro User Guide Page 29 To print labels, you need a field for the city and a field for the state. You must specify the fields in your mailing list file that contain the city and the state. Instead of two separate fields, you may have the city and state together in a single field. In either case, the state must be the standard USPS two-letter state abbreviation. Zip Code fields: Smart Parcel Mailer can read zip codes from your data base in two different formats. You can either have the zip code in a single field containing the entire zip code (such as or ), or you can have the first five digits in a different field from the last four digits. Smart Parcel Mailer requires that you identify either a single field containing the entire zip code, or two separate fields. If, for some reason, you have both, you can choose either way for Smart Parcel Mailer to read your file. If you have a single zip code field but it has only five-digit zip codes, rather than nine-digit zip codes, you should still show the field containing those zip codes as the Complete Zip Code field. Otherwise, if you show that as the First 5 Digits field, Smart Parcel Mailer will require you to also designate a Last 4 Digits field. Note that while CASS-certified nine-digit zip codes are required for barcoded letter-sized and flat-sized mail, they are not required for barcoded parcel mail. You may use five-digit zip codes and Smart Parcel Mailer will still produce barcoded parcel labels. Delivery Point Code field: USPS barcodes can include an extra two-digit delivery point code that provides routing information more detailed than what is provided by the nine-digit zip code. While the Delivery Point code is required for barcodes for letter-sized and flat-sized mail, it is not required for barcodes for parcel mail. USPS recommends that Delivery Point codes be included in SSF files, even though they are not required. If you have a field with Delivery Point barcodes, Smart Parcel Mailer will include them in the SSF file if you select the field with this selection box. Some list vendors provide a 3-digit code which they call a delivery-point code. Actually, this is a combination of the delivery-point code and a check digit, which at one time was used in barcodes but which is now obsolete. If your address file has 3-digit codes instead of 2-digit codes, Smart Parcel Mailer will interpret these as the delivery-point code plus the check digit and ignore the check digit.

30 Smart Parcel Mailer with Postage $aver Pro User Guide Page 30 Order Information: This is an optional field that can be used for additional information that you would like printed on the label. For example, you might want to print an order number for each parcel. There is an area reserved for such information on the USPS-approved label format. You should not include information that might look like it is part of the address, as this might confuse electronic address-scanning equipment. Tracking Number field: Smart Parcel Mailer assigns a tracking number to each parcel which is unique across the USPS system. On the Label and Barcode Setup screen, you had the option to save these tracking numbers in your mailing list file. If you chose that option, you would use this selection box to tell Smart Parcel Mailer which field to use to save the tracking numbers. Note that Smart Parcel Mailer will erase and put new information into the field you select here. Be very careful not to select a field in your mailing list file that contains information that you don t want to lose! Record Being Viewed: This section shows which record in your mailing list file is being viewed in the boxes and drop-down menus on the screen. At first, it is set to show either the first record in the mailing list, or, if the list has field names, the field names. You can change the view to another record or back again by using the previous and next buttons. Clear Selections:

31 Smart Parcel Mailer with Postage $aver Pro User Guide Page 31 This button clears all of the field selection boxes on the screen. You can also clear each box separately by double-clicking on its label. For example, to clear just the Complete Zip Code box, double-click on the words Complete Zip Code on the screen. Table of Contents Questions?

32 Smart Parcel Mailer with Postage $aver Pro User Guide Page 32 Manually Creating Barcoded Tags and Placards for Sacks and Pallets About barcoded tags and placards USPS mail sacks must be labeled according to specific USPS rules, using barcoded tags. The barcodes used on these tags are different from the barcodes used with addresses. USPS mail pallets must have an identification sheet (called a "container placard") on each end of the pallet. Container placards have a different type of barcode from the barcodes used sack tags. If you are using Postage $aver Pro to prepare your list, it will automatically print the sack tags that you need for your mailing. It does not print container placards, nor does it let you print extra tags to replace those that get damaged. Smart Parcel Mailer lets you manually create sack tags and container placards for USPS parcel mailings. Creating barcoded sack tags Smart Parcel Mailer makes it easy for you to print sack tags on standard business card sheets. To create barcoded sack tags, run Smart Parcel Mailer (without running Postage $aver Pro), choose Barcoded Tags/Placards, then click Create and Print Intelligent Mail Tags. This will bring up the Create and Print Intelligent Mail Sack Tags setup screen. You will need to enter some information so that Smart Parcel Mailer can create the tags you want to print.

33 Smart Parcel Mailer with Postage $aver Pro User Guide Page 33 Choose the type of parcels you are sending: Select the type of mail you will be sending. Since this information is printed on the tag, you must select it properly for the tags to be correct. If you select Periodical class mail, you must also indicate whether you are using the NEWS category or the PERIODICAL category. Enter information about the mailer: Enter the name of your organization, the city and state where it is located, and its USPS Mailer ID.

34 Smart Parcel Mailer with Postage $aver Pro User Guide Page 34 Note that for the city and state, you should not use any punctuation, and should enter the USPS two-letter abbreviation for the state. The Mailer ID is a special six-digit or nine-digit number that the USPS assigns to each mailer on request. It is not the same as your permit number or your CRID number. You can request a Mailer ID by creating an account or logging into an existing USPS account at the USPS Business Customer Gateway. Enter information for up to 10 tags Sack tags are formatted to fit standard business card printer paper, such as Avery 5371 (for laser printers) or Avery 8371 (for ink jet printers). Each sheet contains two columns of five cards, with 1/2- inch margins at the top and bottom and 3/4-inch margins on the left and right. If you would rather print the tags on un-perforated sheets and cut them yourself, you can set Smart Parcel Mailer to print a cutting box around each tag. Use this checkbox to turn on cutting boxes. The top line of the tag is the destination line. The line must include a specific postal destination plus the 3-digit or 5-digit zip code for that destination, such as HOUSTON TX or AADC DALLAS TX 750. Do not use any punctuation. The second column on this screen contains drop-down menus to select sort level for each tag. Smart Parcel Mailer will use your selection to determine what to print on the second line of each tag, and how to encode that information into the tag s barcode. Since each type and size of mail has different sort level options, the options on the drop-down lists will be different depending on what type and size of mail you chose on the Mail Type screen. The third column is used to add a carrier route code to the second line, where applicable. If the sack is going to a specific carrier route, you must enter the route code in this box. A route code starts with a letter, followed by three numbers, like "C004". These boxes will be grayed-out when a carrier route code is not used. The fourth column is for the serial number of the sack. Each sack tag must have a unique number, which is encoded into the barcode.

35 Smart Parcel Mailer with Postage $aver Pro User Guide Page 35 If you have a nine-digit Mailer ID, your sack numbers can be any number from 1 to 99,999. If you are a large volume mailer with a six-digit Mailer ID, your sack numbers can be as large as 99,999,999. A sack number may not be reused for 45 days from the time the sack was mailed. The number assigned to a sack does not need to match the number listed for that sack on the qualification report or other documentation for the mailing. Printing the tags: Once you have entered information for at least one sack tag, you can print the tag. The tags are designed to be printed on standard business card sheets, such as Avery 5371 (for laser printers) or Avery 8371 (for ink jet printers). Each sheet contains two columns of five cards, with 1/2- inch margins at the top and bottom and 3/4-inch margins on the left and right. Some older, lower resolution printers cannot print sack tag barcodes to postal specifications. We recommend that you consult your postal bulk mail facility to be sure that the tags printed by your printer meet specifications. Some ink jet printers may not be able to meet the tolerances required for these tags. Creating barcoded container placards for pallets Smart Parcel Mailer makes it easy for you to print container placards for USPS pallets. To create placards, run Smart Parcel Mailer (without running Postage $aver Pro), choose Barcoded Tags/Placards, then click Create and Print Container Placards. This will bring up the Create and Print Intelligent Mail Container Placards setup screen. You will need to enter some information so that Smart Parcel Mailer can create the placards you want to print.

36 Smart Parcel Mailer with Postage $aver Pro User Guide Page 36 Choose the type of mail you are sending: Select the type of mail you will be sending. Since this information is printed on the placard, you must select it properly for the placard to be correct. If you select Periodical class mail, you must also indicate whether you are using the NEWS category or the PERIODICAL category. Enter information about the mailer: Enter the name of your organization, the city and state where it is located, and its USPS Mailer ID. Note that for the city and state, you should not use any punctuation, and should enter the USPS two-letter abbreviation for the state. The Mailer ID is a special six-digit or nine-digit number that the USPS assigns to each mailer on request. It is not the same as your permit number or your CRID number. You can request a Mailer ID by creating an account or logging into an existing USPS account at the USPS Business Customer Gateway.

37 Smart Parcel Mailer with Postage $aver Pro User Guide Page 37 Enter information for the placard: The top line of the placard is the destination line. The line must include a specific postal destination plus the 3-digit or 5-digit zip code for that destination, such as HOUSTON TX or AADC DALLAS TX 750. Do not use any punctuation. Sort level of container: The line contains drop-down menus to select sort level for each placard. Smart Parcel Mailer will use your selection to determine what to print on the second line of each placard, and how to encode that information into the placard s barcode. Since each type and size of mail has different sort level options, the options on the drop-down lists will be different depending on what type and size of mail you chose on the Mail Type screen. Container ID number: Each pallet must have a unique ID number. If you have a nine-digit Mailer ID, your pallet ID can be up to nine characters long. If you are a large volume mailer with a six-digit Mailer ID, your pallet ID can be up to 12 characters long. Pallet IDs can include numbers or letters, upper or lower case, in any combination. A pallet ID may not be reused for 45 days from the time the pallet was mailed.