October 18, 2012

Implementation of Full-Service Intelligent Mail Required for Automation Prices

Our proposed rule to modify eligibility requirements for mailers to obtain automation prices for First-Class Mail^®, Standard Mail^®, Periodicals^®, and Bound Printed Matter^® when mailing postcards, letters, and flats was published in yesterday’s Federal Register. Effective January 2014, use of “full-service” Intelligent Mail^® would be required to obtain automation prices.

We are interested in your feedback, which is due no later than November 16, 2012.

The Federal Register notice provides advance information to help mailers prepare and plan for the transition to Full-Service (use of unique Intelligent Mail barcodes applied to letters, postcards, flats, trays, sacks, and containers such as pallets and submission of electronic mailing documentation). Initiatives are proposed to limit the impact on customers who enter small volume mailings, particularly customers who mail infrequently and have limited resources to adopt new mailing practices.