Address Change Service (ACS)
Automated change-of-address system for participating mailers with computerized lists.
Changes are sent electronically to mailers which reduce the volume of manual change-of-address notices.
Ancillary Service
Forwarding, change, return, or address correction service included with a mail class. Charges are dependant
on mail class when the service is provided.
Ancillary Service Endorsement
Used by the mailer to request a new address of an addressee and lets USPS know how to handle mail
undeliverable as addressed.
Area Distribution Center
A mail processing facility that receives and distributes mail by ZIP code.
Aspect Ratio
Ratio of a mail piece (length divided by height), compatibility is between 1.3 and 2.5.
Automated Area Distribution Center (AADC)
A distribution center that uses equipment designed for processing automated mail.
Automation Discount
Postage discount for mailers who barcode their pieces and meet other automated compatible requirements.
Barcode
Barcode used to represent the correct delivery address ZIP code for a mailpiece.
Barcodes
Used for pieces are POSTNET, Intelligent Mail, UCC/EAN Code 128.
Barcode Clear Zone
Lower right side of the mailpiece that must be kept free of printing and symbols other than the barcode itself.
Barcoded Discount
Discount for Package Services machinable parcels and Bound Printed Matter flats meeting barcode and size
related requirements.
Bound Printed Matter (BPM)
Subclass of Package Services with permanently bound sheets with at least 90% advertising, promotional,
directory, or editorial matter.
Bulk Mail Center (BMC)
Mechanized mail processing plant for Standard Mail and Package Services.
Business Mail Entry Unit (BMEU)
Area where mailers present bulk, presorted, and permit mail for acceptance.
Business Reply Mail (BRM)
Service allowing Permit holder to receive First-Class mail and Priority Mail back from customers paying postage
only for returned pieces.
Carrier Route
The addresses to which a carrier delivers mail including city routes, rural routes, highway contract routes,
P.O. Boxes, etc.
Carrier Route Presort Mail
Mailpieces sorted by carrier route to qualify for postage discounts.
Coding Accuracy Support System (CASS)
Service offered to mailers to improve the accuracy of address matching software to delivery point codes, ZIP,
ZIP+4, and carrier route.
Combined Mailing
Mail individually addressed and merged or sorted together, using two or more postage payment methods.
Drop Shipment
Shipment by private carrier to a postal facility closer to the distribution point of the mailpiece.
Endorsement
Marking on a mailpiece showing handling instructions or service requests.
Face
Address side of the mailpiece.
First-Class Mail (FCM)
Any mailable piece can be sent as First-Class Mail.
Indicia
Imprint that shows postage payment, permit number or metered postage.
Keyline
Optional printed information in or above the address, or to the lower left that identifies the mailpiece and
the presort level.
Mailing
Group of mailpieces of the same class that may be sorted together according to certain standards.
Marking
Words showing class, presort level, or ancillary service endorsement.
Media Mail
Class of mail consisting of books, sheet music, printed educational material, film, or prerecorded media with
advertising restrictions.
Metered Mail
Mail with postage printed by a USPS approved system.
National Change Of Address Linkage System (NCOA)
An address correction service provided to mailers through USPS licensees that can correct an address before
it is printed on a mailpiece.
Nonmachinable
Mail that must be processed manually because of size, shape, content or legibility.Not Flat-Machinable Pieces
Subclass of standard mail that cannot be processed on flat sorting equipment, because the mailpiece is too rigid.
Optional Endorsement Line (OEL)
Identifies the sort level and may contain ACS participation code.
Periodicals
Class consisting of magazines, newspapers, or other publications mailed at least four times a year in regular
intervals requiring a legitimate subscribers list.
Permit
Advanced deposit account with the USPS to use indicia as proof of postage. Permits are required to participate
in business reply mail.
Permit Imprint
Printed proof of postage using an indicia instead of stamped postage.
Piece
Individually addressed mailpiece.
Postage Statement
Document reporting the volume of a mailing and the postage payable or affixed, and certifies eligibility for
the rate claimed.
Postal Numeric Encoding Technique (Postnet)
Barcode system for letters and flats encoding delivery point ZIP+4 information.
Presort
Process to group mail by ZIP Code to an extent required by the rate claimed.
Presort Levels
Carrier route: All pieces go to the same carrier, city, rural, highway contracts, etc.
5-digit: Sorted to the same 5 digit ZIP Code.
5-digit scheme: Sorted to the same 5-digit scheme.
3-digit: Sorted to the first three digits of the ZIP Code.
3-digit scheme: Sorted to the same 3-digit scheme.
SCF: Pieces for two or more 3-digit areas served by a single sectional center facility.
ADC/AADC: Sorted for same area distribution center or automated area distribution center.
ASF/BMC: Sorted for the same auxiliary service facility or bulk mail center.
Mixed: Sorted for the service area of more than one BMC, ADC, AADC, etc.
Rural Route (RR)
Route for a rural carrier.
Scheme
Systematic plan for mail distribution.
Walk Sequence
The order in which a carrier delivers mail for a route.
Zip Code
Identifies the post office associated with the address. Zip+4 specifies a range of addresses.
Zoned Rate
Rate structure for Priority Mail, Periodicals, Parcel Post, and Bound Printed Matter based on weight and distance.