Postal Terms A Address Check Plus (ACP) A service at Melissa Data that uses the USPS Delivery Sequence File (DSF) to verify not only whether addresses are accurate within a range, but whether they are actually deliverable. It also identifies the address type of each address (e.g., business, residence, seasonal residence or vacancy). Automation Discount A postage reduction offered to mailers who pre-barcode their mailpieces and meet addressing, readability, and other requirements for processing on automated equipment. The discount is relative to the single-piece rate for the mail class. B Barcode (BC) A series of vertical bars and half bars representing the ZIP Code information for the delivery address on a mail-piece. The barcode facilitates automated processing by barcode reading equipment. Each numeric digit is represented by a series of five bars (always a combination of 2 full bars and 3 half bars). A complete barcode contains two bars framing the code; the 5, 9, or 11 digits containing ZIP Code and address information; and a final correction digit that allows the machine to check its reading of the ZIP Code number. Bulk Mail Mail that is rated for postage partly by weight and partly by the number of pieces in the mailing. The term is generally used to refer to Standard Mail (A). Bulk Mail Center (BMC) A highly mechanized mail processing plant that is part of the National Bulk Mail System. This facility distributes Standard Mail (A) and Periodicals in bulk form, and Standard Mail (B) in both piece and bulk form. C Carrier Route (CRRT) Usually the addresses served by a postal employee (generally a city or rural carrier) to deliver mail to customers. This can include city routes, rural routes, and highway contract routes. Carrier Route Presort Mail Mail that the mailer arranges by carrier route to qualify for discount postage rates. The mail requires no primary or secondary distribution. The term is a general descriptor of the available rates for this type of preparation, including Enhanced Carrier Route Standard Mail, automation carrier route First-Class Mail, carrier route Periodicals, and carrier route Bound Printed Matter. Except for automation rates, this mail usually does not bear a barcode. Classification The grouping of mailable matter into mail classes and subclasses by rate categories based on content, weight, size, and preparation standards. Coding Accuracy Support System (CASS) A service offered to mailers, service bureaus, and software vendors that improves the accuracy of delivery point barcodes, ZIP+4 codes, 5-digit ZIP Codes, and carrier route information on mailpieces. CASS provides a common platform to measure the quality of address-matching software, along with useful diagnostics to correct software problems. Container Any equipment used to hold more than one mailpiece. The term includes a sack, pouch, hamper, nutting truck, basket, letter or flat tray, and a variety of boxes and carts. Mail transport equipment used to move mail inside a plant or between authorized postal facilities can also be described as containers. This includes Amtrak containers, Bulk Mail Center Over-The-Road (BMC-OTR) containers, BMC in-house containers, CON-CON containers, multipurpose containers (eastern region mail and general purpose mail containers), and wire containers. D Delivery Point Barcode (DPBC) A POSTNET barcode that contains a ZIP+4 barcode plus two additional digits (10 additional bars) that designate a specific delivery point. It consists of 62 bars with beginning and ending frame bars and 5 bars each for the 9 digits of the ZIP+4, the last 2 digits of the primary street address (or post office box, etc.), and a correction digit. This type of barcode allows automated walk sequence sortation of mail at the carrier route level. Delivery Point Code In mail processing, it is the finest level of code to which a mail piece can be sorted by its address. The delivery point code is usually the 11-digit numeric code taken from the ZIP+4 and represented by the delivery point barcode (DPBC). Delivery Sequence File (DSF) A computerized file that contains all delivery point addresses serviced by the USPS, except general delivery addresses. Each record contains the ZIP+4 code, carrier route code (CRRT), delivery sequence, delivery type (e.g., business, residence, seasonal, vacancy, etc.), and seasonal delivery information. Direct Mail An industry term for advertising mail sent to targeted markets. It can be any mail class, but it is usually Standard Mail (A). Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) A directive that contains the basic USPS standards for domestic mail services; a description of and requirements for each mail class special and ancillary service with conditions governing their uses; and standards for rate eligibility and mail preparation. It is one of 6 USPS policy manuals. DSF See Delivery Sequence File. E Eligibility Qualification standards such as content, mail processing category, and preparation applied to mail for a specific rate or discount such as Nonprofit Standard Mail 3-digit automation rate. F First-Class Mail (FCM) A mail class that includes all matter wholly or partly in handwriting or typewriting, all actual and personal correspondence, all bills and statements of account, and all matter sealed or otherwise closed against inspection. First-Class Mail comprises 3 subclasses: Post and Postal Cards, Letters and Sealed Parcels, and Priority Mail. Any mailable matter may be sent as First-Class Mail. First-Class Mail is a USPS trademark. Flat-Size Mail A mailpiece that exceeds one of the dimensions for letter-size mail (11-1//2 inches long, 6-1/8 inches high, and ¼ inch thick), but does not exceed the maximum dimension for this mail processing category (15 inches long, 12 inches high, and 3/4 inch thick). The dimensions are slightly different for automation rate eligibility. It may be unwrapped, paper-wrapped, sleeve wrapped, or enveloped. Full Flat Tray A tray that is sufficiently filled to allow or require preparation to the corresponding presort destination. A full flat tray contains at least enough mailpieces so that a single stack lying flat on the bottom of the tray reaches to the bottom of the handholds. Additional pieces must be added when possible to physically fill the tray. Full Letter Tray A tray filled with faced, upright pieces to at least 3/4ths of its length. Each tray must be physically filled to capacity before the filling of the next tray. A tray with less mail may be prepared only if a less-than-full tray or an overflow tray is permitted by the standards for the rate claimed. Full Sack A sack is considered full when the minimum volume standards for the mail class and rate claimed are met. G Girth The circumference of (measurement around) the thickest part of a mailpiece. I Indicia An imprinted designation on a mailpiece that denotes postage payment (i.e. a permit imprint in place of a postage or meter stamp). Irregular Parcel A mail processing category for a parcel that does not meet the dimensions of a machinable parcel. L LACS See Locatable Address Conversion System. Letter-Size Mail A mail processing category of mailpieces, including cards, that do not exceed any of the dimensions for letter-size mail (i.e. 11-1/2 inches long, 6-1/8 inches high, and 1/4 inch thick). Locatable Address Conversion System (LACS) The LACS was developed to help emergency services – such as paramedics, fire, and police – identify address locations as quickly and accurately as possible. It converts non-specific rural addresses (e.g., Rural Route 7, Box 52), to street addresses. Towns and counties use the LACS to make these address changes and supply the local post office with a list of address conversions. This information is then given to the USPS, which creates a LACS database. LACS is occasionally used to avoid address duplication by sequentially renumbering entire streets, or to differentiate street locations by changing a street suffix (e.g., Street, Avenue, Lane). M Machinable Parcel A mail processing category for a mailpiece that is not less than 6 inches long, 3 inches high, ¼ inch thick, and 8 ounces in weight. The mailpiece cannot be more than 34 inches long, 17 inches high, 17 inches thick, and 35 pounds in weight (except for books and printed matter, which must not weigh more than 25 pounds). This mail can be safely sorted by mail processing machinery such as a parcel sorting machine. Mail Class The classification of domestic mail according to content (i.e. personal correspondence versus printed advertising). It is codified in the Domestic Mail Classification Schedule. Mailing List A group of names and addresses to which mailpieces in the corresponding mailing are addressed. Mailpiece A single addressed article of mail, usually a letter, flat, or postal card. The term can also be applied to a parcel. Mail Processing Category One of five designations for mail (flat-size, letter-size, machinable parcel, outside parcel, and irregular parcel), based on physical dimensions (height, length, and thickness) and weight. Minimum Size Standard The smallest dimensions permitted for all mailable matter or for a specific mail processing category or specific rate. Except for keys and identification devices, a mailpiece less than ¼ inch thick must be rectangular and meet the following minimum criteria (otherwise it is non-mailable and must be returned to sender): At least 5 inches long. At least 3-1/2 inches high. At least .007 inch thick. N National Change of Address (NCOA) The National Change of Address (NCOA) program makes change-of-address (COA) information available to mailers to help reduce undeliverable or duplicate mailpieces. Input address information provided by a mailer to the NCOA licensee is first standardized to conform to USPS requirements, including the ZIP+4 code. NCOA helps reduce undeliverable-as-addressed mail by correcting input addresses prior to mailing. Nonprofit Rate A preferred rate for a periodicals publisher authorized as a nonprofit organization. Nonstandard Size Mail First-Class Mail or single-piece Standard Mail (A) weighing 1 ounce or less and exceeding any of these size limits: More than 11-1/2 inches long. More than 6-1/8 inches high. More than ¼ inch thick. Having a length that is less than 1.3 or more than 2.5 times the height. This type of mail will incur a surcharge. O Outside Parcel A mail processing category for a mailpiece that exceeds the dimensions of a machinable parcel or high-density item (other than a book or printed matter). Optional Endorsement Line Identifies the sortation level of a mail package or bundle. It replaces facing slips and adhesive package labels with specific printed characters on the top line of the address block. P Package A group of addressed pieces assembled and secured together to make up a basic unit of bulk mail for mail processing. The term is not correctly applied when referring to unsecured groups of pieces placed in trays and identified by separator cards, although package labels and other package identification methods may be used for unsecured groups of pieces as permitted by standard. Periodicals A mail class (formerly called second-class mail) consisting of magazines, newspapers, or other publications formed of printed sheets that are issued at least four times a year at regular, specified intervals (frequency) from a known office of publication. Periodicals will usually have a list of subscribers and/or requesters, as appropriate. Permit Any authorization required for specific types of preparation or postage payment. Specifically, an authorization to mail without postage affixed by using indicia or imprint. Payment is made against an advance deposit account that is established with the USPS for postage and special services. Postal Numeric Encoding Technique (POSTNET) The barcode system used by the USPS for translating ZIP Code, ZIP+4 code, and delivery point code information into a machine-readable format that consists of a series of vertical full and half bars. Presort To sort mail in a mailing according to USPS standards before presenting the mailing at a post office. The sortation is usually by ZIP Code or carrier route. All automation rate mail is presorted by the mailer. Presorted First-Class Mailing A nonautomation rate category for a mailing that consists of at least 500 addressed mailpieces and is sorted and prepared according to USPS standards. This mail does not bear a barcode. R Residual Mail Matter remaining after completion of a presort sequence. It does not meet the volume standard necessary to require or permit package, tray, or sack preparation to a particular destination. Residual mail usually does not qualify for the presort rate. S Sack A container generally used to transport flat-size mail, parcels, and loose pack mail. It is made of sewn fabric (typically nylon, polyester, canvas, or plastic with an opening at one end) and is closed with a draw cord and fastener. In mail processing or dispatch functions, to place mail in a sack. Sectional Center Facility (SCF) A postal facility that serves as the distribution and processing center for post offices in a designated geographic area, which is defined by the first 3 digits of the ZIP Code for those offices. This facility may serve more than one 3-digit ZIP Code range. Sequence To place mail in the order of its delivery. Mailers generally receive certain discounts based on the type of sequencing. Sort To separate mail by a scheme or ZIP Code range; to separate and place mail into a carrier case; to distribute mail by piece, package, bundle, sack, or pouch. Standard Mail A mail class consisting of mailable matter that is not mailed as First-Class Mail or entered as Periodicals. Standard Mail includes matter formerly classified as third and fourth class mail. Though combined in Standard Mail, matter from each former class remains subject to separate and specific classification, eligibility, and preparation standards. Matter formerly classified as third-class mail is referred to as Standard Mail (A); matter formerly classified as fourth-class mail is referred to as Standard Mail (B). Standard Mail (A) Standard Mail matter that weighs less than 16 ounces. It comprises the subclasses of Regular Standard Mail, Nonprofit Standard Mail, Enhanced Carrier Route Standard Mail, Nonprofit Enhanced Carrier Route Standard Mail, and Single-Piece Standard Mail. These subclasses include circulars, printed matter, pamphlets, catalogs, newsletters, direct mail, and merchandise. Standard Mail (A) may be sent at presorted rates and at automation rates. Standard Mail (B) Usually Standard Mail matter that weighs 16 ounces or more. It comprises four subclasses: Bound Printed Matter, Library Mail, Parcel Post, and Special Standard Mail. T Tag A piece of cardboard or plastic that is attached to a pouch, sack, or tray. It is usually in addition to the container label and is printed in various colors with information on the contents, mail class, and sortation type, as well as routing instructions and specific handling information. Tray An open container for holding letter-size mail or flat-size mail. It is made of cardboard (sleeved) or plastic (unsleeved) and has a flat bottom and 3 or 4 sides. U Unique ZIP Code A ZIP Code assigned to a company, government agency, or entity with sufficient mail volume (based on average daily volume of letter-size mail received, availability of ZIP Code numbers in the postal area, and USPS cost-benefit analysis). W Walk Sequence The order in which a city carrier delivers mail for a route. This order is required for most carrier route presort mail. Z ZIP+4 The 9-digit numeric code, established in 1981, composed of two parts: (a) The initial code: the first 5 digits identify the sectional center facility and delivery area associated with the address, followed by a hyphen; and (b) the 4-digit expanded code: the first two additional digits designate the sector and the last two digits designate the segment. ZIP+4 is a USPS trademark.