USPS National Customer Support Center

Intelligent Mail® Guides & Specifications

For those new to Intelligent Mail, there several guides, specifications and manuals that will get you started and give a broad overview of the fundamentals of the program. Following is a list of primary sources of information.

Federal Register Notice/ Vol. 73, No. 163/, August 21, 2008: Implementation of New Standards for Intelligent Mail Barcodes
The Federal Register Notice outlines the key elements of the Basic and Full-Service Intelligent Mail barcode options. It also provides a timeline and the requirements for using Intelligent Mail services. The Federal Register Notice can be found at http://ribbs.usps.gov/files/fedreg/usps2008/E8-19339.PDF.

A Resource Map to Intelligent Mail Documents (PDF/49KB)
A Resource Map to Intelligent Mail Documents lists all the documents, guides and source materials that you will need in transitioning to Intelligent Mail services.

It provides explanations of each document and information on how to find and print these documents. It is a reference source that will help you as you learn the ins-and-outs of Intelligent Mail services.

Important Links

Federal Register Notice

A Resource Map to Intelligent Mail Documents (PDF/49KB)

A Guide to Intelligent Mail for Letters and Flats (PDF/1.26MB)

User Access to Electronic Mailing Information and Reports Guide

Postal Service Mail.dat^® Specific Documents

Postal Service Mail.XML^® Specific Documents

A Guide to Customer Supplier Agreements (PDF/1.03MB)

Specifications for Intelligent Mail Barcodes

PostalOne! Transportation Management (TMS) Guide (PDF/458KB)

PostalOne! Release Notes

Intelligent Mail Full-Service Feedback Sample Data

eDoc Process: A Guide for CPP Customers(PDF/4.35MB)

Test Environment for Mailers (TEM) Checklist & Troubleshooting (PDF/737KB)

A Guide to Intelligent Mail for Letters and Flats (PDF/1.26MB)
A Guide to Intelligent Mail for Letters and Flats provides guidance on how to prepare your mail and electronic documentation and identifies the data that will be provided at no additional charge for Full-Service compliance. In addition, the Guide also describes what will be available in the first release of Intelligent Mail services.

Postal Service Mail.dat Technical Specification (PDF/1.7MB)
The Postal Service Mail.dat Technical Specification provides detailed specifications for how to populate your Mail.dat 09.1 files to comply with the requirements for the Full-Service option. This technical specification explains the eDoc, postage, and induction requirements on how to use Mail.dat with the PostalOne! System.

Postal Service Mail.XML Technical Specification
The Postal Service Mail.XML Technical Specification outlines the specifications for the messages used to send and receive data from PostalOne!. This technical specification explains FAST appointment scheduling, Full Service Data Distribution (ACS COA, ACS Nixie, Start-The-Clock), eDoc postage and electronic induction status management through Mail.XML messaging.

Contact Information:
Intelligent Mail Guides & Specifications
Phone: 800-522-9085
Email: IntelligentMailSupport@USPS.GOV
Page updated: 11/13/2009

1-800-238-3150