Related QSG
507, Ancillary Service Endorsements
Overview
The Move Update standard is a means of reducing the number of mailpieces in a mailing that require forwarding or return by the periodic matching of a mailer’s address records with change-of-address orders received and maintained by the Postal Service. Mailers who claim presorted or automation prices for First-Class Mail, USPS Marketing Mail, or Parcel Select Lightweight, must demonstrate that they have updated their mailing list within 95 days before the mailing date.
The Postal Service offers four preapproved methods: Address Change Service (ACS), National Change of Address Linkage System (NCOALink), and ancillary service endorsements except for Forwarding Service Requested. Alternative methods that require separate approval also are offered for First-Class Mail. Mailers must use one of the preapproved or alternative methods to meet the Move Update standard.
The Move Update standard is met when an address used on a mailpiece in a mailing for any class of mail is updated with an approved method and the same address is used in a commercial First-Class Mail, USPS Marketing Mail, or Parcel Select Lightweight, mailing within 95 days after the address has been updated. Except for mail bearing an alternative address format, addresses used on all pieces claiming USPS Marketing Mail prices are required to meet the Move Update standard.
Address Change Service (507.4.2)
Address Change Service (ACS) is an electronic enhancement to traditional, manual methods of providing change-of-address (COA) information to mailers. The system is designed to reduce the volume of manual (printed) address-correction notifications handled by both the Postal Service and mailers and to centralize and automate the provision of address correction information to mailers. Mailers use a Service Type ID (STID) in the Intelligent Mail barcode (IMb) that identifies the request for ACS and the ancillary service option desired. There are three types of ACS available for First-Class Mail and Marketing Mail letters and flats: OneCode ACS and Full Service ACS, which require the IMb, and Traditional ACS which requires a unique mailer identification code printed in the address area of their mailpieces. The IMb is not required for Traditional ACS, but if used a Traditional ACS STID is required.
ACS may be used on any class of mail to qualify the addresses in a mailing list that is also used for First-Class Mail or USPS Marketing Mail letter or flat mailings. First-Class Mail mailers who are ACS participants may use the ancillary service endorsement “Change Service Requested” to receive an electronic notice of the change-of-address information and prevent the mailpiece from being returned to the sender. Electronic notices can be obtained from a variety of on-line downloadable reports and data files.
A mailer may determine the frequency with which to use an ancillary endorsement and ACS participant code, as long as the mailer can certify that each address in a First-Class Mail or USPS Marketing Mail letter or flat mailing has been updated for customer moves within 95 days before the mailing date.
ACS is available for First-Class Mail and USPS Marketing Mail. ACS notices are available daily. For more information about ACS, see PostalPro (https://postalpro.usps.com) > Mailing and Shipping > Address Quality Solutions > Stay Compliant with Move Update > ACS. Service Type ID information and resources can be found at: https://postalpro.usps.com/mailing/service-type-identifiers.
See example of a Traditional ACS code in Quick Service Guide 203, Optional Information Lines.
Benefits:
National Change of Address Linkage System (602.5.0)
National Change of Address Linkage System (NCOALink) is an address correction service provided to mailers through companies licensed by the Postal Service. Updated change-of-address information for the entire country is provided on a regular basis to the licensees by the Postal Service. The licensees match mailing lists submitted to them by mailers against the computerized information. If a match is made, NCOALink can update the address before it is printed.
Benefits:
For more information about NCOALink, including a list of licensees, see PostalPro (https://postalpro.usps.com) > Mailing and Shipping > Address Quality Solutions > Stay Compliant with Move Update > NCOALink.
Ancillary Service Endorsements (507.1.5)
Any mailer may use one of the four ancillary service endorsements below to request a notification of the addressee’s new address and provide the Postal Service with instruction on how to handle undeliverable-as-addressed mail. When these endorsements are used without participation in ACS, manual notices are provided. The handling of USPS Marketing Mail items participating in ACS may be different than noted below. See DMM Exhibit 507.1.5.3.
Mailers may use the following endorsements with First-Class Mail, USPS Marketing Mail, and Parcel Select Lightweight, service to initiate this updating method:
Address Service Requested: The mailpiece is forwarded to the new location when possible and a printed notice is returned to the mailer with the new address information. This notice is then used by the mailer to update the address list.
Return Service Requested: The mailpiece is returned with the new address information affixed. No forwarding service is provided. The return of First-Class Mail is provided at no charge. USPS Marketing Mail and Parcel Select Lightweight are returned at either the single-piece First-Class Mail, First-Class Package Service – Retail, or Priority Mail price, depending on the weight of the piece. The mailer then updates the address information in the file and may mail a new piece to the new address.
Change Service Requested: A separate notice of new address or reason for nondelivery is provided (in either case, an electronic address correction fee is charged); USPS disposes of the mailpiece. This endorsement is available only when used in conjunction with electronic Address Change Service for First-Class Mail pieces.
Temp-Return Service Requested: This endorsement is only available for First-Class Mail pieces. The mailpiece is returned with the new address or reason for nondelivery attached. If this is a temporary change of address, the piece is forwarded; no separate notice of new temporary change-of-address is provided.
For an address to meet the Move Update requirement by this method, the mailer must send at least one letter or card to the address with an approved ancillary service endorsement within 95 days before reuse of the address in a First-Class Mail mailing. To complete the Move Update process, the mailer must make the address changes received as a result of the use of the approved ancillary service endorsement. It is recommended that mailers retain address correction records for up to two years.
Benefits: Ancillary service endorsements allow the sender to obtain, on request, the addressee’s new (forwarding) address (if the addressee filed a change-of-address order with the Postal Service) or the reason for nondelivery. These endorsements also provide the Postal Service with instructions for the disposition of undeliverable-as-addressed mail. For more information about ancillary service endorsements, see PostalPro (https://postalpro.usps.com) > Mailing and Shipping > Address Quality Solutions > Stay Compliant with Move Update > Ancillary Service Endorsements.
Alternative Methods (602.5.0)
Mailer Move Update Process Certification and USPS-approved alternative methods for mailers with legitimate restrictions on incorporating USPS-supplied change-of-address information into their mailing lists. The National Customer Support Center administers and approves both Mailer Move Update Process Certification and alternative methods.
Additional Information
Phone: National Customer Support Center (NCSC) at (800) 238-3150.
Email: MoveUpdate.NCSC@usps.gov.
