Be Prepared for the Intelligent Mail Package barcode (IMpb)* *Excerpted from Neopost webinar 4/24/14

Transcription

1 Be Prepared for the Intelligent Mail Package barcode (IMpb)* *Excerpted from Neopost webinar 4/24/14 1

2 Agenda IMpb Overview How IMpb affects businesses that ship packages with mailing systems IMpb Requirements Examples of shipping packages today and in 2015 Additional resources for IMpb updates Questions 7

3 What is the IMpb? Intelligent Mail Package Barcode (IMpb) Postal Service s next generation tracking barcode for parcels and Extra Services Allows USPS to better compete with private carriers such as FedEx and UPS Now USPS provides detailed tracking IMpb Greatly Improves Processing and Tracking 9

4 What is IMpb? A barcode that provides end users with full visibility to package tracking on the delivery status of the parcel as it routes to its destination USPS is adding additional scanning touch points for package tracking Ultimately leading to improved delivery times Status messages now include: Electronic Shipping Info Received Acceptance In-Transit / Processed Arrival at Unit Out for Delivery Delivered Notice left when packages not delivered on 1st attempt 10

5 Enhanced Scanners The USPS has introduced state of the art handheld scanning devices 70,000 within the past 3-4 months Every postal carrier within the next 24 months 11

6 2 Ways to Ship a Package and Meet Impb Requirements ❶ ❷ Pre-printed Label Mailing System + Online Shipping Software 12

7 IMpb on a Pre-Printed Label With a pre-printed label, the characteristics of the mailing are not uploaded to the USPS Addresses can be hand-written Used in conjunction with a postage meter strip tape for parcel shipments Receive arrival and departure info; date and time of delivery and attempted delivery Mailer does not qualify for full IMpb benefits Retail Rates vs. Commercial Rates Insurance 13

8 Creating an IMpb Shipping Label Requires an online shipping software Define the characteristics of the shipment including: Delivery Address, Return Address, Class of Service; Extra Services; zip + 4 Provide a unique mailer ID Upload Address Information Barcode is created based on the information you provide By creating an IMpb shipping label, a package qualifies for full benefits 14

9 Full IMpb Benefits: Enhances the overall customer experience by: Providing end-to-end tracking information Get status from every scan point manage shipment expectations Accessing the best prices for parcel shipments Commercial Base Discounts Benefit from Free Insurance on Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express Items with a value up to $50 (Priority) / $100 (Priority Mail Express) Delivering a neat / clean shipping label Eliminates the need for multiple barcodes on a package Keeping you compliant for future USPS features, products, and services Creating a shipping label that contains an IMpb barcode affords you full benefits 15

10 What Is Commercial Based Pricing (CBP)? Special Discounted Rates available to shippers who use scannable postage markings and send package data to the USPS systems electronically. A stamp would NOT qualify An IBI (information based indicia) from and mailing system does qualify since the marking is scanned and data is submitted to the USPS electronically No minimum shipping volume required to benefit from CBP Items up to 70lbs. Applies to: Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express, First Class Packages, First Class Package International Available to: Postage Meters / Mailing Systems USPS Click N Ship service PC Postage Permit 16

11 Commercial Base Pricing Examples Priority Mail Items: Flat Rate Envelope Retail: $5.60 CBP $5.05 Savings $.55 Large Flat Rate Box: Retail $17.45 CBP $15.80 Savings $1.65 Priority Mail Express: Item weighs.5 lbs and is shipped to zones 1 & 2 Retail: $16.95 CBP $13.09 Savings $

12 How Does the IMpb Mandate Affect Your Business? On December 18, 2013, the USPS granted Postage Meter Vendors an extension to implement an IMpb solution Valid through January 25, 2015 Maintain Commercial Base Rates in the postage meter (for qualified machines) Neopost IS/IM/IN Series mailing systems all carry Commercial Base Rates Beginning January 26, 2014 a barcode label must be affixed to all parcels during this transition time Continue to benefit from Commercial Base Pricing Existing Extra Services Labels USPS Tracking / Label

13 IMpb Requirements If you want to use Commercial Base Rates in 2015, you must affix a shipping label with an IMpb barcode onto any item that the USPS considers a Parcel In order to be IMpb compliant, you must provide: A unique mailer id (MID) Destination Address and Zip +4 code 19

14 What Items Require a Barcode? Parcels, packages, and Priority Mail Express or Priority Mail pieces of any shape, size, or price category, including flat-rate boxes and envelopes Priority Mail Priority Mail Express First-Class Mail Package Services Parcel Select Parcel Select Lightweight Standard Mail Library Mail Media Mail Bound Printed Matter 20

15 USPS Extra Services 21

16 Processing Envelopes/Packages with Extra Services If you are currently using an edelivery Confirmation, esignature Confirmation, or Certified label for parcels, flat rate boxes and envelopes, or 1 st class letters (certified label) Barcodes are NOT IMpb compliant BUT the USPS will accept packages using these labels for the remainder of 2014 Name change: the USPS has changed the name from edelivery Confirmation to tracking Legacy labels (non IMpb)still accepted by USPS through January 25, 2015 USPS states Extra Services labels will be changing over the next 8 months Replaced with IMpb versions New look and feel Introduction of new Extra Services 22

17 Change in Behavior: Processing a Package with a Mailing System Prior to January 26, 2014 Hand-written name / address Postage meter strip tape for postage Commercial Base Rates (available in Neopost IS/IM/IN Series Mailing Systems) Package enters the mail stream This option is no longer valid All parcels require a barcode 23

18 Change in Behavior: Processing a Package with a Mailing System Current Extra Service labels are accepted by the USPS for the remainder of 2014 These labels are not IMpb compliant but will be accepted Expect New Extra Service labels in 2015 that have an IMpb barcode Additional Extra Services should be also be introduced 24

19 Change in Behavior: Processing a Package with a Mailing System If you are not currently using an Extra Services label or not creating an IMpb compliant shipping label, you must use a USPS Label 400 Failure to do so may result in: A returned package Challenges at a local post office If a Label 400 is used in 2015 as the tracking label, Retail Rates will be applied Label 400 will not qualify for Commercial Rates 25

20 USPS Label

21 USPS Label 400 Free label from the USPS Does not quality for Commercial Base Pricing Does meet the USPS requirement for affixing a barcode to every package Order Label 400 through the USPS Mobile USPS App (soon) Available at the retail counter For the Remainder of 2014 through January 25, 2015 Using a Label 400 in conjunction with a Neopost Mailing system will still qualify for Commercial Base Rates 27

22 Processing An Envelope If you are processing letters as certified mail or certified with electronic return receipt from a Neopost mailing system Existing labels are still accepted by the USPS USPS will leverage IMpb barcodes for Extra Services as well Further communication to come 28

23 What Are My Options in 2015? OPTION #1 If a mailing system is used to process a parcel and you want to receive the benefits that IMpb has to offer including Commercial Base Rates Adopt an online shipping solution that will create an IMpb compliant label Upload Address information as well as zip +4 OPTION #2 If you want to continue processing parcels from a mailing system, an IMpb barcode must still be affixed to all items Use a Label 400 or Equivalent 29

24 Additional Resources for IMpb Updates Visit: Or 32

25 Contact us today for more information on tools to help you process your shipments Authorized Dealer

26 About Neopost & CMS Neopost USA provides mailing, communications and shipping solutions to help its customers prepare, deliver and manage their customer communications whether in traditional mail, digital communications or packages. Visit for complete information about Neopost USA. Complete Mailing Solutions has been a Neopost partner and authorized dealer since We proudly serve Colorado and Wyoming. Any questions about this or any other Neopost product, please contact us: We have two locations to serve you: 3001 W. Tejon St, Englewood, CO th Street SW, Loveland, CO 80537