November 6, 2009

Intelligent Mail Services Update

Submitting Postage Statements between November 15 and November 29, 2009: On November 15, the Postal Service will deploy software to support Full-Service prices. These new prices will apply starting November 29. Postage statements have been modified to support Full-Service and other changes. Starting November 15, the Postage Statements generated from Full-Service Electronic Mailing Information using Mail.dat, Mail.XML, or the Postal Wizard will include a line for the number of pieces claiming the Full-Service prices. The price cell will be set to zero (0) between November 15 through November 28.

The Full-Service Intelligent Mail prices will be available on Sunday, November 29, 2009. At this time Postage Statements generated from Full-Service Electronic Mailing Information using Mail.dat, Mail.XML, or the Postal Wizard will include the Full-Service prices for the pieces claimed using Full-Service.

Non-Full-Service mailings may be submitted using the November 2009 Postage Statements on November 15 or using the current postage statements as follows:

PS Forms 3602-R and 3602-N: The July 19, 2009 versions may be used until January 4, 2010 when the November 29, 2009 versions must be used.

For all other postage statements, the May 11, 2009 versions may be used until January 4, 2010 when the November 29, 2009 versions must be used.

Authorized Manifest Mailing System mailers will follow the same schedule.

Plant-Verified Drop Shipment (PVDS) Mailings between November 15 and November 29, 2009: Mailers submitting Full-Service PVDS mailings on or after November 29 can submit the electronic documentation for those mailings after November 15 in non-ready to pay status. Mailers can only send electronic ready to pay status for Full-Service PVDS mailings on or after November 29.

November 2009 postage statements can be accessed at usps.com.  Scroll down the page to Related Links and click on Postage Statements.

Publications Update: The following publications have been posted on RIBBS as ‘drafts’ for industry review. Recommendations sent to imb@usps.gov and received by 5:00 PM EST on November 10 will be considered.

Test Environment for Mailers (TEM) Checklist & Troubleshooting - This document will help prepare customers to use electronic documentation to submit qualification reports and postage statements through Mail.dat and Mail.XML (commonly called eDoc) by guiding them to a test process in the Test Environment for Mailers (TEM). Though prepared primarily for customers who wish to participate in the Intelligent Mail Full-Service option, this document also covers the preparatory steps for eDoc participation. This document replaces the Full-Service and Electronic Documentation Checklist.

Postal Service Mail.XML Technical Specification for Postage Payment and Reporting (eDoc) - The specification was updated to correspond with Mail.XML version 7.0C. The error codes were update and elaborations were added.

Postal Service Mail.XML Technical Specification for Appointment Scheduling (FAST^®) – This volume was updated to correct error codes and some business rules.

Postal Service Mail.XML Technical Specification for Profiles and Full Service Feedback – This document was updated to elaborate on ACS functionality.

PostalOne! Release 22.0 (November 15): The release notes for PostalOne! Release 22.0 are posted on RIBBS>Intelligent Mail Services>Latest News>Important Links. This release will address functionality to support the prices for Full-Service and enhanced Mail.XML^® capabilities.

Assistance: Please call the PostalOne! Help Desk at 1-800-522-9085 if you have any questions or problems accessing the Business Customer Gateway, your accounts, or submitting electronic documentation. The PostalOne! Help Desk is accessible from Canada at no charge.