Intelligent Mail

The Intelligent Mail Barcode is also known as the USPS OneCode Solution or USPS 4-State Customer Barcode (abbreviated 4CB, 4-CB, or USPS4CB). This barcode is adopting a new 4-state 1D barcode that includes more address information than the current code. A sample is shown below. Further information can be found at the USPS Web site: http://ribbs.usps.gov/onecodesolution/.

The Intelligent Mail barcode combines information currently found in the PostNet and Planet barcodes. The length of the barcode is fixed at 65 bars. It also contains a CRC-Checksum for verifying the barcode value. There is no error correction. The output of the barcode is a 20, 25, 29, or 31 digit string (0, 5, 9, or 11 digit zip code) containing the following data:

Statistics

The Mailer ID is a field within the Intelligent Mail barcodes that is used to identify Mail Owners and/or Mailing Agents. The IDs are assigned by the USPS to each Mail Owner and/or Mailing Agent that requests them. A Mailer ID can be a 9-digit field or a 6-digit field. The USPS assigns 6-digit or 9-digit Mailer IDs based upon the mail volume of the mailer.

The barcode identifier is a 2 digit field assigned by the USPS. The first digit ranges from 0-9 and the second digit ranges from 0-4.

All 6-digit MIDs (Mailer IDs) assigned by USPS will begin with 0 through 8. All 9-digit MIDs will begin with the number 9.

Special services include a 3 digit field assigned by the USPS for any special services. The range is 000-999.
The customer identifier is a 6 digit field assigned by the USPS and is unique for each customer. The range is 000000000-999999999.
The sequence number is a 9 digit field assigned by the mailer for tracking mail pieces. The range is 000000000-999999999.
The zip code is a 0, 5, 9, or 11 digit zip code. The ranges are none, 00000-99999, 000000000-999999999, 00000000000-99999999999.