MAILING TERMINOLOGY
Ancillary Service Endorsement
A marking used by a mailer to request the new address of an addressee and to provide the USPS with instructions on how to handle mail that is undeliverable as addressed.
Automation-Compatible Mail
Mail that can be scanned and processed by automated mail processing equipment such as a barcode scanner.
Barcode
A series of vertical bars and spaces that represent any numerical series, most often a ZIP Code for the delivery address on a mailpiece.
Barcode Clear Zone
A rectangular area in the lower right part of a letter-size mailpiece that must be kept free of printing and symbols, except for the barcode itself. This requirement allows automated processing machines to read or apply a barcode.
Barcode Read Area
A small area within the barcode clear zone in which the barcode must be printed. This area is defined by the position of the leftmost bar of the barcode and the bottom edge of the bar.
Business Reply Mail
A service that allows a permit holder to receive First-Class Mail and Priority Mail back from customers and pay only for the returned pieces. These pieces must have a specific address and format. Postage and per-piece charges are collected when the mail is delivered back to the permit holder.
Caller Service
An optional delivery service provided for a fee at all post offices to customers with large volumes of mail, to customers needing multiple separations, and to customers who need a post office box number address when no post office boxes are available.
Certified Mail
A service that provides the sender with a mailing receipt. A delivery record is maintained by the USPS. This type of mail must be sent at First-Class Mail or Priority Mail rates. Certified mail may be combined with return receipt service and restricted delivery service.
Courtesy Reply Mail
Envelopes or postcards that a mailer provides to its customers to expedite delivery of their responses. The customer affixes the reply postage before mailing.
Delivery Confirmation
A service that provides the date and time of delivery or, if delivery was attempted but not successful, the date and time of the delivery attempt.
Direct Image Labeler
An ink jet operating system that digitally prints address information on postcards, envelopes, catalogs etc. The system can print up to two colors in a single pass with return address and agency logo. A bitmap image is required for logo(s).
Face
The side of a mailpiece with the delivery address. Also, to arrange mail in a uniform orientation; that is, with the delivery address facing forward and the postage area positioned in the upper right corner.
FASTforward
A USPS-licensed automated system that updates addresses by matching names and addresses with current change-of-address orders on file. A piece updated with FASTforward can be delivered directly to the new address rather than forwarded from the old address.
First-Class Mail
A class of mail that includes all matter wholly or partly in writing or typewriting, all actual and personal correspondence, all bills and statement of account, and all matter sealed or otherwise closed against inspection.
Flat
The general term for flat-size mail, so called because the large mail is sorted without bending it so that the mail remains flat.
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, 1/4 inch thick) but that does not exceed the maximum dimension for the mail processing category (15 inches long, 12 inches high, 3/4 inch thick). Dimensions are different for automation-rate flat-size mail eligibility. Flat-size mail may be unwrapped, sleeved, wrapped, or enveloped.
Indicia
Imprinted designation on mail that denotes postage payment (e.g., permit imprint).
Insert
A letter, card, or similar item placed inside another mailpiece (host piece).
Insured Mail
A service that provides indemnity coverage for a lost, rifled, or damaged article, subject to the standards for the service and payment of the applicable fee.
Letter
According to the Private Express Statutes, a message directed to a specific person or an address and recorded in or on a tangible object. Also a shortened way to refer to letter-size mail.
Letter-Size Mail
A mail processing category of mailpieces, including cards, that do not exceed any of the dimensions for letter-size mail (that is, 11-1/2 inches long, 6-1/8 inches high, 1/4 inch thick).
Machinable
The capacity of a mailpiece to be sorted by mail processing equipment.
Machine Inserting
Automated equipment that inserts folded documents and seals business size envelopes.
Mail Class
The classification of domestic mail according to content (for example, personal correspondence versus printed advertising). It is codified in the Domestic Mail Classification Schedule.
Mail Metering
Systems that apply postage printed by a USPS approved postage meter.
Manual Unit Services
For jobs that cannot be processed on automated equipment, the manual processing unit provides a full line of assembly, sorting and distribution services. For more in information regarding these services contact Mail Processing directly.
Marking
Words or abbreviations printed on a mailpiece that show the class or service of a rate paid.
Meter Stamp
A postage imprint (either on meter tape or as a direct impression) applied in the upper right corner of the envelope, address label, or tag. The type, size, and style of the imprint must be fixed when the postage meter is approved for manufacture by the USPS. For letter-size mail, the imprint must be set in fluorescent ink.
Metered Mail
Any mail class (except Periodicals) with postage printed by a USPS-approved postage meter.
National Change of Address (NCOA)
An address correction service that the USPS provides to mailers through USPS licensees. The licensees match mailing lists submitted to them on tape or disk against change-of-address information for the entire country from all Computerized Forwarding System units. If a match is made, NCOA can correct the address before it is printed on a mailpiece.
Nonmachinable
The incapacity of a mailpiece to be sorted on mail processing equipment because of size, shape, content, or address legibility. Such mail must be processed manually.
Optical Character Reader (OCR)
An automated mail sorting machine that interprets the address information on a letter-size mailpiece and sprays the corresponding ZIP Code information onto the piece as a barcode. The OCR consists of a mail feed unit, transport unit, stacker modules, computer with a control system, video monitor, and printer.
Parcel
Mail that does not meet the mail processing category of letter-size mail or flat-size mail. It is usually enclosed in a mailing container such as a carton.
Permit
Any authorization required for specific types of preparation or postage payment. Specifically, an authorization to mail without postage affixed by using indicia or an imprint. Payment is made against an advance deposit account that is established with the USPS for postage and services.
Permit Imprint
Printed indicia, instead of an adhesive postage stamp or meter stamp, that shows postage prepayment by an authorized mailer.
Permit / Indicia
Imprint designation on mail that denotes the postage payment.
Postage
Payment for delivery service that is affixed or imprinted to a mailpiece, usually in the form of a postage stamp, permit imprint, or meter impression.
Postal Numeric Encoding Technique (POSTNET)
The barcode system used on letter-size and flat-size mailpieces for encoding the delivery point information and ZIP+4 code information.
Presort
The process by which mailer a groups mail by ZIP code so that it is sorted to the finest extent required for a discounted mail rate.
Presort Accuracy Validation and Evaluation (PAVE)
A voluntary program in which the USPS tests vendors' presort software and hardware products to determine their accuracy in sorting address information according to USPS standards and producing standardized supporting documentation.
Presorted Standard
The postage rate for Standard Mail (A) pieces that are part of a mailing and that meet minimum volume and preparation requirements.
Pressure Seal
Specially prepared continuous or cut sheet forms are letter folded and sealed by means of high pressure as a self-mailer to be entered into the postal system without the use of an envelope.
Priority Mail
First-Class Mail that weighs more than 13 ounces and, at the mailer's option, any other mail matter weighing 13 ounces or less. Priority Mail provides expedited delivery. Any mailable matter may be sent as Priority Mail. Priority Mail is a USPS trademark.
Qualified Business Reply Mail (QBRM)
An automated means of processing and calculating postage plus fees on business reply mail. QBRM pieces must meet certain design specifications and may be eligible for the lowest per piece fee available for BRM and for reduced automation First-Class Mail postage rates.
Registered Mail
A service by which, through a system of receipts, the USPS monitors the movement of the mailpiece from the point of acceptance by the USPS to delivery. The sender receives a receipt at the time of mailing, and a delivery record is kept at the post office of address. This service also provides optional indemnity in case of loss or damage. Registered mail is the most secure service offered by the USPS.
Restricted Delivery
A supplemental mail service that generally limits who may receive an item. This service is available for a fee when used with certified mail, collect on delivery, insured mail, and registered mail.
Self-Mailer
A single or multiple page document prepared to be mailed without the use of an envelope.
Signature Confirmation
A service that provides information to the mailer about the date and time of delivery, including the recipient's signature or the date and time of the delivery attempt.
Single-Piece Rate
A postage rate available for individual pieces of Express Mail, First-Class Mail, Priority Mail, and Standard Mail (B). It is not available for Periodicals except under the rate category of basic. This type of rate contrasts with rates available for bulk mail and presorted mail.
Standard Mail
A class of mail consisting of mailable matter that is not required to be mailed as First-Class Mail or is not mailed as Periodicals.
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, and Nonprofit Enhanced Carrier Route 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)
Standard Mail matter that weighs 16 ounces or more but not more than 70 pounds. It comprises four subclasses: Bound Printed Matter, Library Mail, Parcel Post, and Special Standard Mail.
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 analyses.
ZIP (Zone Improvement Plan) Code
Established in 1963, the system of 5-digit codes that identifies the individual post office or metropolitan area delivery station associated with an address. The first three digits identify the delivery area of a sectional center facility or a major-city post office serving the delivery address area. The next two (the fourth and fifth) digits identify the delivery area of an associate post office, post office branch, or post office station. All post offices are assigned at least one unique 5-digit code.
ZIP+4
An enhanced code consisting of the 5-digit ZIP Code and four additional digits that identify a specific range of delivery addresses.The nine-digit numeric code, established in 1981, composed of two parts: (a) The initial code: the first five digits that identify the sectional center facility and delivery area associated with the address, followed by a hyphen; and (b) the four-digit expanded code: the first two additional digits designate the sector (a geographic area) and the last two digits designate the segment (a building, floor, etc.).
ZIP+4 Barcode
A nine-digit POSTNET barcode consisting of 52 vertical bars.
|
