The Intelligent Mail® Tray Label

What is the Intelligent Mail® Tray Label?

The Intelligent Mail Tray Label (IM™ Tray label), formerly known as the Enhanced Distribution Label (EDL), is a new label format that will be used on all trays, tubs, and sacks. These new labels will include a unique 24-digit Intelligent Mail Tray barcode instead of the 10-digit barcode currently in use. These new labels will include a unique 24-digit Intelligent Mail Tray barcode instead of the legacy10-digit barcode currently in use. These labels will allow the Postal Service to uniquely identify each tray, tub, and sack as well as the originator of each handling unit as it makes its way throughout the Postal Service’s mail processing and transportation networks.

To give mailers and the Postal Service time to transition their equipment and processes to print and process the new 24-digit label, the Postal Service and mailers will initially print the 10+24 transitional Intelligent Mail Tray labels. These transitional labels will contain both the 10-digit and 24-digit barcodes

•   View a fact sheet that summarizes the new specifications for the Intelligent Mail Tray label ( PDF/84K or Word/368K) or view the detailed tray label specifications ( PDF/321K or Word/892K).

In addition to the ZIP Code and Content Identification Number (CIN), the 24-digit Intelligent Mail barcode allows for a unique Serial number and a unique Mailer ID (MID), which provide a range of benefits to mailers. The MID is an optional 6- or 9-digit Postal-assigned identifier offered to Postal customers. Contact PostalOne!® Customer Care at (800) 522-9085 or see www.usps.com/postalone/contact.htm with questions regarding the use and/or assignment of a MID.

What is the Intelligent Mail Customer Label Distribution System?

The Intelligent Mail Customer Label Distribution System (CLDS) is a new Web-based system that will soon be made available to mailers. It will replace the Postal Service’s current Passport Label Application System and will allow mailers to submit online label orders to the Label Production Center at Topeka, KS. Mailers will also be able to save and reuse orders as well as track active orders.

What are the benefits of the Intelligent Mail Tray Label?

The Intelligent Mail Tray label will improve the way that mailers do business with the Postal Service by: Uniquely identifying trays, tubs, and sacks throughout the network Standardizing label production at the Postal Service and mailer facilities Eliminating the need for mailers to create their own barcode in addition to the Postal Service's code Identifying the originator of each tray, tub, and sack Correlating all tray, tub, and sack information back to the mailers’ Mailer ID Providing mail preparer, payer, and owner information when used with Mail.dat* messaging Providing the foundation for seamless acceptance Supporting the Postal Service's broader Transformation Plan to optimize mail processing and transportation networks *Mail.dat is a registered trademark of International Digital Enterprise Alliance, Inc.

When will mailers begin to use the Intelligent Mail Tray label?

The new Intelligent Mail transitional (10 + 24-digit) label format will soon be made available to our customers. The Postal Service began using this tray label format internally in 2005. In 2006, the Intelligent Mail Tray label, 10 + 24-digit format, was made available to Seamless Acceptance Pilot participants. This transition strategy provides the creation of a label that can be immediately deployed within the existing Postal Service environment without negatively impacting operational processes. While the size of some human readable text is sacrificed in the new 10 + 24-digit IM tray label, the two barcodes are necessary to make a smooth transition to the pure 24-digit IM tray label format.

Policy guidelines on the adoption and usage of the IM tray label formats shall be as stipulated in the Mailing Standards of the United States Postal service, Domestic Mail Manual - DMM® (DMM).

How does the Intelligent Mail Tray Label fit into the bigger picture?

Our vision for Intelligent Mail is to provide end-to-end visibility by identifying and tracking letters, flats, and packages, and then using this visibility to enable a seamless approach for accepting mail. With Intelligent Mail and Seamless Acceptance, your mail will be identifiable and trackable. Based on scanned data, mail volume will be more predictable and processing will be more efficient. The Intelligent Mail Tray label is the first step in providing information to mailers about larger units of mail.

How will the Intelligent Mail Tray label improve Postal operations?

Intelligent Mail products and services will allow us and our customers to follow the progress of mail through the stages of Postal processing to delivery. This will help us improve our operational efficiencies and enhance our service performance. The Intelligent Mail Tray label will increase visibility into Postal operations and standardize Postal label operations.

Where Can I Find Additional Information?

To learn more, contact one of the individuals listed below:

Daryl Hamilton daryl.s.hamilton@usps.gov (703) 280-7293

Robert Galaher robert.i.galaher@usps.gov (202) 268-7018

Karen Magazino karen.magazino@usps.gov (202) 268-8078

Gregory Dudley (CLDS) gregory.n.dudley@usps.gov (202) 268-3157

Balu Forna mbalu.m.forna@usps.gov (703) 280-7406