Address Change Service

ACS is a USPS service that gives business mailers their customers' change-of-address information electronically.2Mailer's Technical Advisory Committee - Best Practices for ACS™page 7“ACS helps meet the needs of business mailers by providing a cost-effective, efficient means of obtaining customer COA information electronically.”USPS original USPS created it in the mid-1980s for Periodicals mailers and later opened it to all mail classes.3Mailer's Technical Advisory Committee - Best Practices for ACS™page 41“Electronic ACS, originally created in the mid-1980’s for Periodical mailers and later expanded to include all mail classes.”USPS original

Each notice reports one of two situations: a change-of-address order is on file, or the piece is undeliverable for another reason.4Mailer's Technical Advisory Committee - Best Practices for ACS™page 39“ACS provides electronic notification for two different types of Undeliverable-as-Addressed (UAA) mail situations; either there is a COA on file, or the mail is determined to be UAA for a reason other than a move (i.e. Attempted Not Known, No Such Number, Unable To Forward/Forwarding Time Expired).”USPS original A notice of the first kind is a COA notice.5Intelligent Mail® Package Barcode (IMpb) ACS™ Technical Guidepage 10“If there is a match and the mailpiece has been properly prepared to generate IMpb ACS, an electronic ACS COA notice is generated. If there is no COA on file the Nixie reason identified by the delivery employee is used and an ACS Nixie notice is generated.”USPS original A notice of the second kind is a Nixie notice.6OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 11“If a mailpiece qualifies as UAA for a reason other than a move, the mailer can also be notified electronically. These are referred to as “NIXIE” notices.”USPS original A Nixie notice's reason comes from what the delivery employee knows about the addressee and the address.7Mailer's Technical Advisory Committee - Best Practices for ACS™page 8“This is because ACS Nixies result from the delivery employee knowledge regarding the addressee and the address.”USPS original

USPS learns of a move in two ways.8Appendix B: ACS™ Frequently Asked Questionspage 4“The Postal Service obtains COA information two ways: 1) A postal customer moves and files a Change-of-Address order with the Postal Service, or 2) the delivery employee discovers that the customer has moved without submitting a COA, and files a “Moved, Left No Address” or “Box Closed, No Order” for the addressee.”USPS original The customer files a change-of-address order, or the delivery employee finds the customer moved and files "Moved, Left No Address" or "Box Closed, No Order".8Appendix B: ACS™ Frequently Asked Questionspage 4“The Postal Service obtains COA information two ways: 1) A postal customer moves and files a Change-of-Address order with the Postal Service, or 2) the delivery employee discovers that the customer has moved without submitting a COA, and files a “Moved, Left No Address” or “Box Closed, No Order” for the addressee.”USPS original A notice from a delivery employee's filing has no new address.6OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 11“These records are included in the COA database and therefore are fulfilled as COA Notices that do not contain a new address.”USPS original

ACS is one of the methods USPS approves for meeting the Move Update standard.9Mailer's Technical Advisory Committee - Best Practices for ACS™page 4“ACS is one of the Postal Service approved methods that may be used to meet the Move Update regulations.”USPS original It does not replace hardcopy notices entirely.1PostalPro: ACS™“However, ACS is an enhancement to the traditional process of manual (hard copy) notifications and it does not completely replace or eliminate hard copy address change notifications.”USPS original About 5% of notices may still arrive by hand.7Mailer's Technical Advisory Committee - Best Practices for ACS™page 8“According to the Postal Service approximately 5% may be manual.”USPS original

Since July 2023, Full-Service and Seamless Acceptance mailers that want address corrections from undeliverable mail must get them electronically through ACS.10Guide to Move Updatepage 77“Effective July 2023: Full Service and Seamless Acceptance mailers and publishers that desire address correction information from undeliverable as addressed (UAA) mail are required to receive address correction notices electronically via ACS.”USPS original

A mailer prepares its mail for one version of ACS, and USPS makes a notice from each undeliverable piece when it can.1PostalPro: ACS™“As ACS-modified mailpieces are processed via Postal Automation Redirection System (PARS) or Computerized Forwarding System (CFS), ACS notifications are generated when possible.”USPS original

ACS comes in four versions, plus SingleSource ACS, which combines any of them.9Mailer's Technical Advisory Committee - Best Practices for ACS™page 4“ACS is available in four versions and a SingleSource version which combines any of the four:”USPS original USPS added OneCode ACS in 2006, using the Intelligent Mail barcode.3Mailer's Technical Advisory Committee - Best Practices for ACS™page 41“ACS was again expanded in 2006 to include OneCode ACS which was initiated via the use of the Intelligent Mail barcode (previously referred to as the “Four-State Barcode”).”USPS original Full-Service ACS followed in 2009.3Mailer's Technical Advisory Committee - Best Practices for ACS™page 41“In 2009, OneCode ACS was expanded to support Full-Service ACS by implanting a parallel set of Service Type ID’s that identified the mail piece discount level and provided ACS as a benefit for the work-share involved with Full-Service mailing qualifications.”USPS original

Each version asks for something different on the mailpiece:

• Traditional ACS needs a Participant ID from USPS and an optional keyline the mailer creates, with or without an Intelligent Mail barcode.8Appendix B: ACS™ Frequently Asked Questionspage 4“Traditional ACS, which requires a USPS® provided Participant Code and an optional Keyline that is created by you and can be used with or without the Intelligent Mail® barcode (IMb);”USPS original It works for every class and shape of mail, parcels included.11Guide to Move Updatepage 37“Traditional ACS is available for all classes and shapes of mail including parcels.”USPS original
• OneCode ACS needs the Intelligent Mail barcode.8Appendix B: ACS™ Frequently Asked Questionspage 4“OneCode ACS® which requires the IMb”USPS original It works for every class and shape of mail except parcels.12Guide to Move Updatepage 32“OneCode ACS is available for all classes and shapes of mail except parcels.”USPS original
• Full-Service ACS is OneCode ACS for Full-Service mail.9Mailer's Technical Advisory Committee - Best Practices for ACS™page 4“Full-Service ACS is OneCode ACS for Full-Service mail”USPS original
• IMpb ACS needs the Intelligent Mail package barcode.8Appendix B: ACS™ Frequently Asked Questionspage 4“IMpb ACS which requires the Intelligent Mail Package Barcode (IMpb)”USPS original
• SingleSource ACS combines every notice into one file format, delivered through Electronic Product Fulfillment.1PostalPro: ACS™“With SingleSource ACS, all of the ACS notices are combined into a single file format and are provided via Electronic Product Fulfillment (EPF).”USPS original

The mailer signs the ACS Enrollment Form and sends it by mail or by email to acs@usps.gov.13ACS™ Enrollment FormPDF page 2“Please send the completed and signed enrollment form by mail or email to acs@usps.gov”USPS original

Each ACS version has its own enrollment steps:

• OneCode ACS needs a completed ACS Enrollment Form and an EPF Web Access Request Form.14Service Type Identifier (STID) Quick Service GuidePDF page 1“OneCode ACS participation requires a completed ACS enrollment form and EPF Web Access Request Form.”USPS original15ACS™ Enrollment FormPDF page 1“The Electronic Product Fulfillment Web Access Request Form must be completed and submitted with this application when applying for SingleSource ACS™, OneCode ACS®, IMpb ACS™, and Traditional ACS™.”USPS original
• Traditional ACS needs the same two forms.14Service Type Identifier (STID) Quick Service GuidePDF page 1“Mailers that wish to sign-up for Traditional ACS participation requires a completed ACS enrollment form and EPF Web Access Request Form.”USPS original15ACS™ Enrollment FormPDF page 1“The Electronic Product Fulfillment Web Access Request Form must be completed and submitted with this application when applying for SingleSource ACS™, OneCode ACS®, IMpb ACS™, and Traditional ACS™.”USPS original The ACS Department at the National Customer Support Center then assigns a seven-letter Participant ID.16Guide to Move Updatepage 38“Mailers that wish to receive Traditional ACS must enroll in ACS to be assigned a Participant ID by the ACS Department at the National Customer Support Center in Memphis TN.”USPS original13ACS™ Enrollment FormPDF page 2“A seven alpha-character Participant ID (PID) will be assigned after submitting this ACS Enrollment Form.”USPS original
• A new Mailer ID for Full-Service ACS needs the "Full Service ACS" program option in the Mailer ID System.17Guide to Move Updatepage 35“New Mailer IDs that will be used in the IMb to request Full-Service ACS must select the “Full Service ACS” Program Option in the Mailer ID System, accessible via the Business Customer Gateway account.”USPS original A Full-Service mailer that gets its notices only through the Business Customer Gateway needs no ACS Enrollment Form.13ACS™ Enrollment FormPDF page 2“This form is not required to register for Full Service ACS with records only being provided through the USPS® Business Customer Gateway.”USPS original
• A Mailer ID for IMpb ACS must be certified for the Intelligent Mail package barcode before enrollment.18Intelligent Mail® Package Barcode (IMpb) ACS™ Technical Guidepage 34“Required Mailer IDs (MIDs) must be certified for IMpb prior to enrolling for IMpb ACS.”USPS original

The Mailer ID in a barcode that asks for ACS must come from the Business Customer Gateway.19OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 37“NOTE: The Mailer ID that will be used in the Intelligent Mail barcode that requests ACS must be assigned through the USPS Business Customer Gateway.”USPS original Traditional ACS also needs 50 sample pieces sent to the ACS Department before activation.20Mailer's Technical Advisory Committee - Best Practices for ACS™page 13“Traditional ACS requires that 50 sample pieces are submitted to the ACS Department prior to activation and the ability to mail.”USPS original

A mailer must tell the ACS Department at least seven days before it changes the printed endorsement, Service Type Identifier or Mailer ID.21OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 38“Do not change the format or placement of the printed ancillary service endorsement (when required or desired) or change the Service Type Identifier or Mailer ID before notifying the ACS Department a minimum of seven days prior to making the change on the mail.”USPS original

A barcoded letter or flat asks for ACS through its Service Type Identifier, a code in the Intelligent Mail barcode.3Mailer's Technical Advisory Committee - Best Practices for ACS™page 41“Since the Intelligent Mail barcode has become commonly used for postage discounts, ancillary services and ACS options are now dictated by the Service Type ID in the barcode.”USPS original The code sets both the ACS option and the ancillary service, the mailer's instruction for the undeliverable piece.3Mailer's Technical Advisory Committee - Best Practices for ACS™page 41“Since the Intelligent Mail barcode has become commonly used for postage discounts, ancillary services and ACS options are now dictated by the Service Type ID in the barcode.”USPS original Some instructions also need an ancillary service endorsement printed on the piece.22Appendix A: Ancillary Service Type Identifier (STID) DetailsPDF page 1“Determine whether the associated Mailpiece Disposition requires the printed Ancillary Service Endorsement (ASE).”USPS original

A Full-Service mailer that wants separate address correction notices must use an ACS Service Type Identifier.1PostalPro: ACS™“Full-Service mailers must use an ACS Service Type ID (STID) in the IM barcode when separate address correction notices are desired.”USPS original

A parcel's barcode does not carry the ACS request in its Service Type Code.2Mailer's Technical Advisory Committee - Best Practices for ACS™page 7“The IMpb structure includes components that are similar to the IMb for letters and flats; however, requests for ACS and ancillary services are not contained in the Service Type Code (STC) in the IMpb.”USPS original The shipper registers the barcode's Mailer ID for ACS instead.2Mailer's Technical Advisory Committee - Best Practices for ACS™page 7“Parcel shippers that want to receive IMpb ACS must register the Mailer ID that is imbedded in the IMpb for ACS before electronic address correction services can be generated.”USPS original

A First-Class Mail letter that asks for ACS in its barcode needs no printed endorsement.20Mailer's Technical Advisory Committee - Best Practices for ACS™page 13“When requesting ACS using the IMb, a printed endorsement is not required for First-Class Mail letters.”USPS original These pieces need one:20Mailer's Technical Advisory Committee - Best Practices for ACS™page 13“A printed endorsement is required on all First-Class Mail flats, all Marketing Mail letters and flats, all Bound Printed Matter flats, all parcels when ACS ancillary services are requested, and on all mail requesting Traditional ACS regardless of mail class or shape.”USPS original

• First-Class Mail flats20Mailer's Technical Advisory Committee - Best Practices for ACS™page 13“A printed endorsement is required on all First-Class Mail flats, all Marketing Mail letters and flats, all Bound Printed Matter flats, all parcels when ACS ancillary services are requested, and on all mail requesting Traditional ACS regardless of mail class or shape.”USPS original
• USPS Marketing Mail letters and flats20Mailer's Technical Advisory Committee - Best Practices for ACS™page 13“A printed endorsement is required on all First-Class Mail flats, all Marketing Mail letters and flats, all Bound Printed Matter flats, all parcels when ACS ancillary services are requested, and on all mail requesting Traditional ACS regardless of mail class or shape.”USPS original
• Bound Printed Matter flats20Mailer's Technical Advisory Committee - Best Practices for ACS™page 13“A printed endorsement is required on all First-Class Mail flats, all Marketing Mail letters and flats, all Bound Printed Matter flats, all parcels when ACS ancillary services are requested, and on all mail requesting Traditional ACS regardless of mail class or shape.”USPS original
• parcels that ask for ACS ancillary services20Mailer's Technical Advisory Committee - Best Practices for ACS™page 13“A printed endorsement is required on all First-Class Mail flats, all Marketing Mail letters and flats, all Bound Printed Matter flats, all parcels when ACS ancillary services are requested, and on all mail requesting Traditional ACS regardless of mail class or shape.”USPS original
• all Traditional ACS mail, whatever its class or shape20Mailer's Technical Advisory Committee - Best Practices for ACS™page 13“A printed endorsement is required on all First-Class Mail flats, all Marketing Mail letters and flats, all Bound Printed Matter flats, all parcels when ACS ancillary services are requested, and on all mail requesting Traditional ACS regardless of mail class or shape.”USPS original

When the printed endorsement and the barcode ask for different services, the printed endorsement wins.16Guide to Move Updatepage 38“If there is a conflict between the printed ancillary service endorsement and the one identified by the Service Type ID in the IMb or ACS Participant ID profile, the printed endorsement will take precedence.”USPS original On Political Mail and Ballot Mail, the barcode's Service Type Identifier wins instead.23Service Type Identifier (STID) Table Effective January 21, 2024Effective January 21, 2024 · PDF page 7“The Address Correction Option identified by the STID requesting ACS in the IMb on Political Mail will take precedence over a printed endorsement if there is a conflict.”USPS original24Service Type Identifier (STID) Table Effective January 21, 2024Effective January 21, 2024 · PDF page 8“IMPORTANT NOTE: The Address Correction Option identified by the STID requesting ACS in the IMb on Ballot Mail will take precedence over a printed endorsement if there is a conflict.”USPS original

Electronic Service Requested is an endorsement that points to the service named in the barcode or in the mailer's ACS profile.25Guide to Move Updatepage 52“Electronic Service Requested must be used in conjunction with ACS/OneCode ACS/Full-Service ACS, but Electronic Service Requested just acts as a pointer to another actual service, such as Address Service Requested or Change Service Requested which exists in the Intelligent Mail barcode or in the mailer’s ACS profile.”USPS original It may be printed only on mail that asks for ACS.26OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 18“The printed endorsement Electronic Service Requested may be used only on mail that requests ACS.”USPS original

Mailers of OneCode, Traditional and SingleSource ACS get their notices from the Electronic Product Fulfillment website.27Appendix B: ACS™ Frequently Asked Questionspage 5“OneCode, Traditional & SingleSource ACS customers use the EPF website.”USPS original That website is a portal where an ACS customer downloads its ACS files.8Appendix B: ACS™ Frequently Asked Questionspage 4“The Electronic Product Fulfillment (EPF) website is a data transfer portal where an ACS customer can retrieve their ACS files.”USPS original Full-Service ACS mailers get theirs through the Business Customer Gateway.27Appendix B: ACS™ Frequently Asked Questionspage 5“Full Service customers use the Business Customer Gateway (BCG).”USPS original

Access to an account's ACS data is open to up to three login users.28Guide to Move Updatepage 34“Access to the ACS data is available for up to three (3) login users.”USPS original Each person who needs it submits the EPF Web Access Request Form to the ACS Department.29Mailer's Technical Advisory Committee - Best Practices for ACS™page 19“Each person that needs access to the ACS data must complete and submit the USPS EPF Web access form to the ACS Department.”USPS original

A daily file holds everything PARS or the Computerized Forwarding System processed in the 24 hours since USPS's last run.27Appendix B: ACS™ Frequently Asked Questionspage 5“If you receive daily fulfillments, today’s file contains everything that was processed through Postal Automated Redirection System (PARS) or CFS in the 24 hours since the Postal Service’s last processing run.”USPS original Traditional ACS mailers can choose to receive notices daily, weekly, biweekly, monthly or bimonthly.7Mailer's Technical Advisory Committee - Best Practices for ACS™page 8“With Traditional ACS, mailers may schedule the frequency of their address correction notifications— daily, weekly, biweekly, monthly, or bimonthly.”USPS original A Traditional ACS account that also receives OneCode ACS notices gets them daily.30Mailer's Technical Advisory Committee - Best Practices for ACS™page 38“Traditional ACS mailers are allowed to define the fulfillment schedule (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly), but if they receive OneCode ACS notices in the same account, they will be fulfilled daily.”USPS original A customer can also get the same COA and Nixie records as a comma-delimited CSV file or an XML file.29Mailer's Technical Advisory Committee - Best Practices for ACS™page 19“ACS customers may also elect to receive the same COA and Nixie detail records in another optional file format, including a Comma Delimited CSV and/or a spreadsheet-friendly XML format, depending on their needs.”USPS original

SingleSource ACS is an ACS fulfillment service that combines all of a mailer's ACS notices into one file format, delivered through Electronic Product Fulfillment.31PostalPro: SingleSource ACS™“SingleSource ACS™ removes the need for handling different file formats when dealing with Full-Service ACS™, OneCode ACS®, IMpb ACS™ and Traditional ACS™. With SingleSource ACS, all of the ACS notices are combined into a single file format and are provided via Electronic Product Fulfillment (EPF).”USPS original USPS designed it mainly for Full-Service mailers, but any mailer that wants its notices in one format from one source can use it.32SingleSource ACS™ Technical Guide page 6“While intended and designed primarily for Full Service qualified mailers, SingleSource ACS is available to ALL mailers that desire to receive all of their ACS notices in a single file format and from a single fulfillment source.”USPS original USPS encourages new and current ACS participants to sign up for it.33OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 7“USPS encourages new and current ACS participants to sign up for SingleSource ACS fulfillment service.”USPS original

It delivers the notices of four ACS versions together, in the OneCode ACS file format:32SingleSource ACS™ Technical Guide page 6“ACS notices for Full Service, OneCode, Traditional and IMpb are fulfilled in a single OneCode ACS fulfillment file format.”USPS original

• Full-Service ACS notices32SingleSource ACS™ Technical Guide page 6“ACS notices for Full Service, OneCode, Traditional and IMpb are fulfilled in a single OneCode ACS fulfillment file format.”USPS original
• OneCode ACS notices32SingleSource ACS™ Technical Guide page 6“ACS notices for Full Service, OneCode, Traditional and IMpb are fulfilled in a single OneCode ACS fulfillment file format.”USPS original
• Traditional ACS notices32SingleSource ACS™ Technical Guide page 6“ACS notices for Full Service, OneCode, Traditional and IMpb are fulfilled in a single OneCode ACS fulfillment file format.”USPS original
• IMpb ACS notices32SingleSource ACS™ Technical Guide page 6“ACS notices for Full Service, OneCode, Traditional and IMpb are fulfilled in a single OneCode ACS fulfillment file format.”USPS original

SingleSource ACS does not replace the way Full-Service ACS delivers notices.32SingleSource ACS™ Technical Guide page 6“SingleSource ACS does not replace the Full Service ACS fulfillment process and method.”USPS original Full-Service ACS notices that pass the Full-Service checks still reach the mailer daily through the Business Customer Gateway.34SingleSource ACS™ Technical Guide page 8“Those Full Service ACS notices with a Full Service STID are also sent to Full Service, where the IMb is checked for Full Service compliance and attempts are made to match the IMb data to Full Service eDoc submissions. Full Service ACS notices that pass are fulfilled to the mailers daily via the Business Customer Gateway.”USPS original SingleSource ACS also delivers notices from pieces disqualified for Full-Service, at the usual fee.32SingleSource ACS™ Technical Guide page 6“Resolve the concern that Full Service ACS notices will not be provided when a container, a mailpiece, or an entire mailing is disqualified for Full Service discounts and benefits. These Full Service ACS notice are provided regardless of the disqualification at the appropriate fee.”USPS original It keeps the notices made after the 35-day retention period for electronic documentation, which Full-Service ACS can miss.32SingleSource ACS™ Technical Guide page 6“Work around the “35-Day” retention period for eDoc data which can result in missing Full Service ACS notices that are created after the retention period is over.”USPS original Its notices arrive within 24 hours of reaching the National Customer Support Center.32SingleSource ACS™ Technical Guide page 6“SingleSource ACS notices are fulfilled within 24 hours of its receipt at the United States Postal Service® National Customer Support Center (NCSC).”USPS original

Full-Service qualifying notices are free, and SingleSource ACS charges only for the other notices.32SingleSource ACS™ Technical Guide page 6“Provide Full Service qualifying ACS notices free of charge. With SingleSource ACS you will only be charged for the OneCode, Traditional, IMpb and Full Service non-qualifying ACS notices provided.”USPS original Each fulfillment comes with a shipping notice file that counts the free notices and the charged ones.32SingleSource ACS™ Technical Guide page 6“SingleSource ACS provides a detailed “shipping notice file” with each fulfillment regarding the notices provided, as well as a count of those provided for free and which will be charged.”USPS original Within 6 days after each billing cycle ends, USPS posts the SingleSource invoice to the EPF account as a CSV file and a PDF.35SingleSource ACS™ Technical Guide page 16“Within 6 days after the end of the ACS billing cycle, an additional zipped file is posted to the EPF account that will contain a CSV data file and a PDF version of your SingleSource invoice.”USPS original To reconcile the invoice, the mailer must use the counts in both the shipping notice files and the Full-Service chargeback files.35SingleSource ACS™ Technical Guide page 16“To reconcile your monthly SingleSource invoice, you must include the counts on both the SingleSource Shipping Notice files and the Full Service Chargeback files.”USPS original

A mailer signs up by sending the ACS Enrollment Form and PS Form 5116 to the ACS Department.36SingleSource ACS™ Technical Guide page 18“Within 10 days of receiving the completed ACS Enrollment Form and EPF Web Access Request PS Form 5116, the ACS Department will respond with an email containing your ACS Account information and related information.”USPS original

The Mailer ID in the barcode must belong to an ACS account marked as a SingleSource ACS account.37SingleSource ACS™ Technical Guide page 13“The Mailer ID used in the IMb must be assigned to an ACS account that is designated as a SingleSource ACS account.”USPS original An existing Traditional ACS or OneCode ACS account can become a SingleSource account, or the mailer can ask for a new one.37SingleSource ACS™ Technical Guide page 13“An existing Traditional ACS or OneCode ACS account may be changed to a SingleSource account or you may request a new SingleSource account.”USPS original A Traditional ACS account must have a Mailer ID added before it can change.37SingleSource ACS™ Technical Guide page 13“Existing Traditional ACS accounts that are changed to a SingleSource account must have a MID added to the account before it can be changed.”USPS original SingleSource ACS has no Service Type Identifiers of its own, so the mailer should use the existing ACS ones.38SingleSource ACS™ Technical Guide page 14“There are no STIDs specifically assigned for SingleSource ACS. The existing ACS STIDs should be used.”USPS original SingleSource ACS customers must give USPS a dedicated email address for ACS messages.38SingleSource ACS™ Technical Guide page 14“SingleSource ACS customers are required to provide a dedicated email address to receive communications regarding ACS.”USPS original

Signing up for ACS is free, but USPS charges a fee for each notice.8Appendix B: ACS™ Frequently Asked Questionspage 4“There are no fees for signing up for ACS; however, there are fees for each record provided.”USPS original The fee depends on how the notice was made.39Appendix B: ACS™ Frequently Asked Questionspage 9“The amount charged is based on the method used to provide the ACS notice.”USPS original

• Letters that letter automation equipment can process for OneCode ACS pay the automated fee.39Appendix B: ACS™ Frequently Asked Questionspage 9“Undeliverable letter mail that requests OneCode ACS that can be processed on letter automation equipment is charged the automated fee.”USPS original
• Flats, non-machineable letters and letters that automation might damage pay the electronic fee.39Appendix B: ACS™ Frequently Asked Questionspage 9“Therefore flats, non-machineable letters, and automated letters that may lose their integrity or be damaged on letter automation equipment are charged the electronic fee.”USPS original
• Traditional ACS notices pay the electronic fee.39Appendix B: ACS™ Frequently Asked Questionspage 9“Traditional ACS notices are charged the electronic fee.”USPS original
• Full-Service ACS is free for qualifying Full-Service pieces.40Appendix C: ACS™ Product Code Information and Detailspage 4“In addition to full-service postage discounts and benefits, FS ACS is provided at no charge for qualifying full-service mail pieces.”USPS original Forwarding fees still apply.41Guide to Move Updatepage 36“Full-Service ACS is provided at no charge, but forwarding fees will be applied.”USPS original

A mailer that enters at least 95% of its mail as Full-Service in a calendar month also gets no-fee ACS on qualifying Basic pieces.42Address Change Service (ACS) with Green & Secure Fact SheetPDF page 1“No-fee ACS is available for Full-Service mailings and to qualifying Basic automation and non-automation mailpieces for mailers who enter at least 95% of their mail as Full-Service in a calendar month.”USPS original

The ACS billing cycle runs from the 25th of one month to the 24th of the next.43OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 13“The ACS billing cycle is from the 25th of the month to the 24th of the next month.”USPS original USPS posts the invoice to the customer's EPF account when the balance is more than $25.43OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 13“Invoices provided by NCSC Accounting are in an electronic file format and are posted to the customers EPF account if the balance is more than $25.”USPS original A balance that stays under $25 gets one invoice a year, on September 24.43OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 13“ACS customers whose balance remains less than $25 will be sent an annual invoice on September 24 of each year and any outstanding balance is due and payable.”USPS original Payment is due within 30 days of the invoice date.43OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 13“Payment must be submitted with a copy of the invoice remittance slip within 30 days of the invoice date.”USPS original Balances more than 30 days old carry 10 percent annual interest.4Mailer's Technical Advisory Committee - Best Practices for ACS™page 39“Unpaid balances more than 30 days old will be charged an annual interest rate of 10 percent.”USPS original

ACS on a piece does not make that piece meet Move Update.42Address Change Service (ACS) with Green & Secure Fact SheetPDF page 1“Therefore, using ACS on a piece does not qualify that piece for meeting the Move Update requirement, but qualifies additional pieces mailed within the subsequent 95 days.”USPS original It qualifies the pieces mailed to the address in the next 95 days.42Address Change Service (ACS) with Green & Secure Fact SheetPDF page 1“Therefore, using ACS on a piece does not qualify that piece for meeting the Move Update requirement, but qualifies additional pieces mailed within the subsequent 95 days.”USPS original A mailer must use every new address ACS returns to update the addresses on its later mailings.44Guide to Move Updatepage 39“To satisfy the Move Update requirement all new addresses returned by the ACS method must be used to update the addresses used on future mailings.”USPS original

USPS's best practice for Move Update is a pre-mailing NCOALink solution plus a post-mailing ACS solution.42Address Change Service (ACS) with Green & Secure Fact SheetPDF page 1“The best practice for Move Update is to use both a pre-mailing NCOALink solution and a post-mailing ACS solution to obtain additional moves quickly and electronically, along with other reasons for non-delivery.”USPS original

A mailer that has not used ACS in the last 95 days needs another Move Update method, such as NCOALink, before mailing.45Mailer's Technical Advisory Committee - Best Practices for ACS™page 28“If you do not mail within 95 days of the last time you used ACS, you will need to use another Move Update method, like NCOALink, prior to mailing.”USPS original ACS does not suit a rented list used only once.46Mailer's Technical Advisory Committee - Best Practices for ACS™page 5“ACS is not appropriate for use with rented lists with a one-time use.”USPS original

A OneCode ACS notice needs a readable, valid barcode with its required fields filled in correctly.6OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 11“If there is a match and the mailpiece bears a readable, valid Intelligent Mail barcode with the required fields properly completed, an electronic or automated OneCode ACS notice is generated.”USPS original The most common mistakes on a OneCode ACS piece are these:21OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 38“The following are the most common mistakes made when creating a OneCode ACS mailpiece:”USPS original

• There is no return address on the address side.21OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 38“There is not a return address as required on the addressing side of the mailpiece.”USPS original
• The endorsement is missing or invalid, or its size, read direction or clearance is wrong.21OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 38“Missing or invalid endorsements, or the size, read direction and clearance of the endorsements do not meet specifications when applicable.”USPS original
• The barcode's Mailer ID is missing or wrong.21OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 38“The Mailer ID embedded in the barcode is either not present or incorrect.”USPS original
• The Service Type Identifier is missing or does not ask for ACS.21OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 38“Service Type ID is either not present or does not request ACS.”USPS original
• The serial number is all zeroes or repeats across pieces.21OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 38“The serial number is all zeroes or not unique for each mailpiece.”USPS original
• The barcode does not have 65 bars.21OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 38“The IM barcode does not have 65 bars.”USPS original
• The piece uses an exceptional address such as "Or Current Resident".21OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 38“There is an exceptional address format used such as “Or Current Resident” on the ACS mailpiece.”USPS original

A Traditional ACS mailer that leaves out its Traditional ACS Service Type Identifier may get costlier manual notices or miss notices.2Mailer's Technical Advisory Committee - Best Practices for ACS™page 7“Failure to use the proper Traditional ACS STID may result in more costly manual notices or missed ACS notices.”USPS original On a piece with both a barcode and a Participant ID, an unreadable barcode produces a Traditional ACS notice at the electronic fee.48Appendix B: ACS™ Frequently Asked Questionspage 8“Yes, however be advised that if the Intelligent Mail® barcode cannot be read on undeliverable mail that is prepared with both the IM® barcode and the Traditional ACS Participant Code, you will receive a Traditional ACS notice and will be charged the electronic address correction fee.”USPS original

Electronic Service Requested on mail that does not ask for ACS causes costly extra work for USPS.49Mailer's Technical Advisory Committee - Best Practices for ACS™page 9“If Electronic Service Requested is printed on mail that does not request ACS, it will cause unnecessary and costly additional workload for the Postal Service, and you will likely have to pay any postage or fees that are charged as a result of its improper use.”USPS original The mailer will likely pay the postage or fees that result.49Mailer's Technical Advisory Committee - Best Practices for ACS™page 9“If Electronic Service Requested is printed on mail that does not request ACS, it will cause unnecessary and costly additional workload for the Postal Service, and you will likely have to pay any postage or fees that are charged as a result of its improper use.”USPS original When the barcode or other ACS information shifts out of an envelope's window, USPS does not provide the requested service.50Mailer's Technical Advisory Committee - Best Practices for ACS™page 15“If the barcode or any ACS information shifts out of the window, the requested service will not be provided.”USPS original A Traditional ACS mailer that changes its printed endorsement without telling the ACS Department can lose all its electronic notices.51Traditional ACS™ Technical Guidepage 37“Before making any modifications to your printed ancillary service endorsement, you must notify the ACS Department at the NCSC. … Failure to do so could result in the elimination of any ACS electronic corrections, and all address corrections might be provided manually.”USPS original

A Full-Service piece whose barcode matches no electronic documentation is "Unassociated", and it is left out of the Business Customer Gateway reports.39Appendix B: ACS™ Frequently Asked Questionspage 9“Mailpieces with a Full Service STID that cannot be matched to an eDoc are considered “Unassociated” and are not provided in the Full Service COA and Nixie reports through the Business Customer Gateway.”USPS original USPS keeps trying to match such notices for 35 days.39Appendix B: ACS™ Frequently Asked Questionspage 9“Full Service ACS notices that cannot be associated to an eDoc are continually reprocessed for 35 days.”USPS original After that, USPS reports the barcode as Unassociated and charges for the record.39Appendix B: ACS™ Frequently Asked Questionspage 9“The Unassociated IMb is reported to the mailer and charges are applied for the record in the next available billing cycle.”USPS original

A chargeback report lists Full-Service notices first given free whose pieces later turned out not to qualify.30Mailer's Technical Advisory Committee - Best Practices for ACS™page 38“The chargeback report is a data file that is used only when it is later determined that a Full-Service ACS notice previously provided at no charge did not qualify for the discounts and benefits of full-service mail.”USPS original Charges for those records appear in the next billing cycle.52OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 32“Customers are encouraged to maintain records of the Chargeback information to help reconcile their ACS Invoice each month, since charges for those records are included in the next available billing cycle.”USPS original

Several First-Class Mail or USPS Marketing Mail pieces to one name and address in a mailing each produce a notice.53Mailer's Technical Advisory Committee - Best Practices for ACS™page 26“If multiple pieces of First-Class or Marketing Mail are sent to the same name and address within a mailing, and if each piece has a request for ancillary services and ACS or manual address corrections, a notice will be provided for every piece.”USPS original USPS gives no refund for these duplicate notices.54OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 14“Refunds for duplicate ACS notices will not be provided for multiple ACS notices generated from multiple mail pieces that request ACS and are mailed to the same addressee.”USPS original A mailer should email other wrongly charged ACS records to acs@usps.gov to ask for a refund.54OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 14“Refund requests for incorrectly charged ACS records should be submitted via email to acs@usps.gov along with the ACS records you believe were incorrectly charged.”USPS original USPS must receive the request within 45 days of the mailer receiving the invoice.54OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 14“Requests must be received within 45 days of receipt of the invoice.”USPS original A delinquent account can lose its ACS fulfillment and get manual notices or returned mail instead.43OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 13“Delinquent accounts may cause the interruption of ACS fulfillment and may result in manual address correction notices or returned mail.”USPS original

ACS is not a guaranteed service.54OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 14“ACS is not a guaranteed service.”USPS original Some undeliverable pieces produce a manual notice instead of an electronic one:

• The addressee is deceased.27Appendix B: ACS™ Frequently Asked Questionspage 5“When the addressee is Deceased (though occasionally these notices are provided electronically).”USPS original
• The piece is undeliverable for a reason ACS does not report.27Appendix B: ACS™ Frequently Asked Questionspage 5“Mail that is undeliverable for a reason that is not available through ACS (see “Deliverability Codes” in the OneCode ACS® Technical Guide).”USPS original
• A single point of delivery, such as a hospital or college, handles its own undeliverable mail.27Appendix B: ACS™ Frequently Asked Questionspage 5“Mail from a single point delivery that distributes their own mail internally and therefore identifies and processes their undeliverable-as-addressed mail. Ex: hospitals, college/university, military address or other businesses or institutions.”USPS original
• The barcode was made wrong or was damaged during printing or processing.27Appendix B: ACS™ Frequently Asked Questionspage 5“Mail with an improperly created IMb or an IMb that has been damaged during printing or processing.”USPS original
• An addressee moves twice, and the first forwarding label covers the piece.27Appendix B: ACS™ Frequently Asked Questionspage 5“The notice regarding move B to C may be provided manually because the original information on the mailpiece may no longer be usable because it is covered by the first label.”USPS original

A manual notice for mail properly prepared for ACS is entitled to the electronic fee.55Mailer's Technical Advisory Committee - Best Practices for ACS™page 16“Manual COA and Nixie notices provided on mail that was properly prepared to generate ACS, but a PS Form 3547 or 3579 was generated instead, are entitled to pay the Electronic address correction fees.”USPS original

The ACS Department at the National Customer Support Center answers questions at acs@usps.gov or 877-640-0724, option 1.1PostalPro: ACS™“You may email the questions and schedule conference calls by calling 877-640-0724, option 1 or email us at acs@usps.gov.”USPS original

A Mailpiece Design Analyst helps with mailpiece design, readability and barcode testing.21OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 38“Contact a Postal Service Mailpiece Design Analyst (MDA) for assistance with mailpiece design, readability, analysis and Intelligent Mail Barcode testing.”USPS original The MDA Support Center answers at 855-593-6093 or mda@usps.gov.21OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 38“Customers may contact the MDA Support Center by dialing 855-593-6093, or by sending a request via email to mda@usps.gov.”USPS original