Barcode Guide
USPS Intelligent Mail (USPS 4-State Customer Code)
USPS Intelligent Mail barcode (IMb), also known as the USPS OneCode Solution or USPS 4-State Customer Code, was developed by the United States Postal Service (USPS) and is used for automated sorting of mail. It supersedes the USPS Postal Numeric Encoding Technique (USPS POSTNET) and Postal Alpha Numeric Encoding Technique (USPS PLANET) codes and effectively encodes data from these symbologies into a single symbol in addition to providing enhanced tracking data.
The USPS has developed a family of Intelligent Mail barcode symbologies, as follows:
-
Intelligent Mail barcode (IMb): Used to sort and track letters, cards, and flats
-
Intelligent Mail package barcode (IMpb): Similar to IMb but uses the GS1-128 symbology, which is compatible with package processing equipment
-
Intelligent Mail Tray label: Used on all trays, tubs, and sacks; includes a unique 24-digit Intelligent Mail Tray barcode that is encoded by using the ISS Code 128 symbology
-
Intelligent Mail Container barcode: Used with mailer-generated container labels; scanned at various transportation and processing points
IMb is defined in USPS-B-3200 Intelligent Mail Barcode (4-State Customer Barcode).
Symbol Structure
When your barcoding needs reach professional strength, turn to BarTender barcode software, the world’s most trusted software for barcodes, label printing, RFID tags, plastic cards/badges, and more. Download the 30-day trial of BarTender barcode software now.