Intelligent Mail Tray Label

A tray label is the card on a tray, flat tub or sack of mail.4Intelligent Mail Tray Label 10-Digit and 10/24-Digit Technical Specificationspage 4“Within the context of this document the use of the term tray label refers to trays, flat tubs, and sack labels.”USPS original Automated mail processing relies on it for processing and customer information.5Intelligent Mail Tray Label 10-Digit and 10/24-Digit Technical Specificationspage 2“Mail processing automation initiatives rely heavily on tray and sack labels to provide necessary mail processing and customer related information.”USPS original

The label is part of Intelligent Mail, the USPS program to give end-to-end visibility into the mail stream.1Intelligent Mail Tray Label Technical Fact SheetPDF page 1“The Intelligent Mail (IM) vision is to provide end-to-end visibility into the mail stream by identifying and tracking letters, flats, packages, unit loads, and containers -- enabling a streamlined approach to mail acceptance.”USPS original The 24-digit tray barcode is its first step in tracking unit loads.1Intelligent Mail Tray Label Technical Fact SheetPDF page 1“As a first step in tracking unit loads, we developed the Intelligent Mail Tray barcode containing 24 digits.”USPS original

The IM tray label is for mailers of First-Class Mail, Periodicals and Standard Mail.2PostalPro: Intelligent Mail® Tray Label“First Class Mail Periodicals Standard Mail”USPS original It identifies each handling unit and its originator as the unit moves through USPS processing and transportation.2PostalPro: Intelligent Mail® Tray Label“Each 24-digit label uniquely identifies 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.”USPS original

The 24-digit barcode replaced the legacy 10-digit barcode.2PostalPro: Intelligent Mail® Tray Label“The 24-digit IM tray barcode has replaced the legacy 10-digit barcode.”USPS original The 10-digit label does not identify one handling unit, and tracking needs that.1Intelligent Mail Tray Label Technical Fact SheetPDF page 1“Unfortunately, the Postal Service’s legacy 10-digit tray and sack barcode label format does not uniquely identify the handling unit, a prerequisite for tracking.”USPS original Without a unique label, in-transit visibility, manifest reconciliation and automated mail acceptance lose most of their benefit.1Intelligent Mail Tray Label Technical Fact SheetPDF page 1“Without these elements, the potential benefits associated with in-transit visibility, manifest reconciliation, and automated mail acceptance are severely diminished.”USPS original

Using the IM tray label does not require Full-Service and does not show that a mailer qualifies for it.1Intelligent Mail Tray Label Technical Fact SheetPDF page 1“The use of the IM tray label does not require the mailer to satisfy Full-Service requirements and is not an indicator that the mailer qualifies for the Full-Service option.”USPS original A mailer who uses it does not need to send electronic documentation that links pieces to trays.1Intelligent Mail Tray Label Technical Fact SheetPDF page 1“As such, the use of an approved electronic method to transmit mailing documentation that matches the preparation of the submitted mail (nesting) is not required.”USPS original

A mailer gets a Mailer ID, the number USPS assigns to identify the mailer.1Intelligent Mail Tray Label Technical Fact SheetPDF page 1“Mailer IDs are assigned to mailers by the Postal Service.”USPS original The mailer then prints a label for each tray, tub or sack, with its own serial number in the barcode.1Intelligent Mail Tray Label Technical Fact SheetPDF page 1“The entire barcode string, including the MID and the serial number (determined by the mailer) should uniquely identify the tray, sack, or tub.”USPS original The label still supports sorting and routing, and it adds a unique identifier for the unit.1Intelligent Mail Tray Label Technical Fact SheetPDF page 1“The 24-digit IM tray label is a cross-functional business solution that expands the legacy 10-digit tray and sack label format by adding data elements that will not only continue to support sortation and routing, but also establish a unique identifier on each label.”USPS original

The label carries the 24-digit barcode and a human-readable line of the same digits.6Intelligent Mail Tray Label Technical Fact SheetPDF page 2“The 24-Digit Barcode Numeric Line is the numeric representation of the encoded 24-digit barcode data.”USPS original The barcode uses the ISS Code 128 symbology, subset C.3Intelligent Mail Tray Label Technical Fact SheetPDF page 3“To ease the transition from the current legacy 10-digit label to the new 24-digit label, the Postal Service developed a transitional label that includes both the legacy 10-digit barcode (I 2 of 5 symbology - ANSI/AIM BC2) and the new 24-digit IM tray barcode (ISS Code 128 symbology, subset C - ANSI/AIM BC4).”USPS original

The barcode comes in two formats: one for a 6-digit Mailer ID and one for a 9-digit Mailer ID.1Intelligent Mail Tray Label Technical Fact SheetPDF page 1“Two Intelligent Mail 24digit tray label barcode formats have been developed for mailers, one that allows for a 6-digit Mailer ID, and another that allows for a 9-digit Mailer ID.”USPS original USPS assigns each mailer one length, by its own criteria.6Intelligent Mail Tray Label Technical Fact SheetPDF page 2“Mail owners and mail preparers will be assigned either a 6-digit or a 9-digit Mailer Identifier (Mailer ID) based on criteria established by the Postal Service.”USPS original A 6-digit Mailer ID starts with a digit from 0 to 8, and a 9-digit Mailer ID starts with 9.6Intelligent Mail Tray Label Technical Fact SheetPDF page 2“All 6-digit MIDs will begin with ‘0’ through ‘8’; all 9-digit MIDs will begin with ‘9’.”USPS original

The ZIP Code is the 5-digit ZIP Code for a 5-digit tray.6Intelligent Mail Tray Label Technical Fact SheetPDF page 2“For 5-digit trays in accordance with the DMM®, the destination ZIP Code is the 5-digit ZIP Code.”USPS original For a 3-digit tray, it is the 3-digit ZIP Code followed by two zeros.6Intelligent Mail Tray Label Technical Fact SheetPDF page 2“For 3-digit trays in accordance with the DMM, the destination ZIP Code is the 3-digit ZIP Code followed by two zeros.”USPS original

The Content Identifier Number is three zeros when the DMM lists nothing for the tray's contents.6Intelligent Mail Tray Label Technical Fact SheetPDF page 2“If no listing for the tray contents is found, three zeros are used”USPS original

The Processing Code is 1 for automation compatible, barcoded and machinable mail.6Intelligent Mail Tray Label Technical Fact SheetPDF page 2“Use the value 1 for Automation Compatible, Barcoded, and Machinable Mail.”USPS original It is 7 for all other mail.6Intelligent Mail Tray Label Technical Fact SheetPDF page 2“Use the value 7 for all other mail.”USPS original

The Label Type tells systems how to parse the rest of the barcode.6Intelligent Mail Tray Label Technical Fact SheetPDF page 2“The Label Type is used as a qualifier for systems to recognize and parse the data within this barcode.”USPS original

A labeling system keeps each label unique through its serialization strategy, which sets how uniqueness lasts for the life of the tray or sack.7Intelligent Mail Tray Label 10-Digit and 10/24-Digit Technical Specificationspage 30“The serialization strategy defines how each of the label types imparts uniqueness, in addition to how the uniqueness is maintained for the life of the tray or sack.”USPS original It defines uniqueness through three kinds of field in the barcode: constant, key and variable.7Intelligent Mail Tray Label 10-Digit and 10/24-Digit Technical Specificationspage 30“For each flow, uniqueness is defined in terms of constant, key, and variable fields in the barcode.”USPS original

Constant fields stay the same because of where the mail or the label comes from.7Intelligent Mail Tray Label 10-Digit and 10/24-Digit Technical Specificationspage 30“Constant fields are those that always stay the same due to the origin of the mail and/or the source of the tray or sack label.”USPS original Key fields vary, but the originator does not control them.7Intelligent Mail Tray Label 10-Digit and 10/24-Digit Technical Specificationspage 30“The key elements are elements that vary, but not at the control of the”USPS original Variable fields are the ones the originator controls, and they guarantee uniqueness best.8Intelligent Mail Tray Label 10-Digit and 10/24-Digit Technical Specificationspage 31“Variable fields are fields where the originator may vary control and are the most effective means to guarantee uniqueness.”USPS original The Serial Number is the only variable field the originator fully controls.8Intelligent Mail Tray Label 10-Digit and 10/24-Digit Technical Specificationspage 31“At present, the Serial Number is the only variable field that the originator fully controls.”USPS original

Mailers should add spaces to the human-readable line to make it easier to read.6Intelligent Mail Tray Label Technical Fact SheetPDF page 2“To enhance readability, mailers should insert spaces in the 24-digit human-readable line as follows:”USPS original On a 6-digit Mailer ID label, a space should follow digits 9 and 15.6Intelligent Mail Tray Label Technical Fact SheetPDF page 2“For the 6-digit Mailer ID label, a space should be added between digits 9 and 10, and 15 and 16.”USPS original On a 9-digit Mailer ID label, a space should follow digits 9 and 18.6Intelligent Mail Tray Label Technical Fact SheetPDF page 2“For the 9-digit Mailer ID label, a space should be added between digits 9 and 10, and 18 and 19.”USPS original

Three label formats exist, and USPS recommends one:

• The legacy 10-digit label carries only the 10-digit barcode, which does not identify the unit.1Intelligent Mail Tray Label Technical Fact SheetPDF page 1“Unfortunately, the Postal Service’s legacy 10-digit tray and sack barcode label format does not uniquely identify the handling unit, a prerequisite for tracking.”USPS original
• The transitional 10/24-digit label carries both barcodes.3Intelligent Mail Tray Label Technical Fact SheetPDF page 3“While the size of some human readable text is sacrificed in the 10/24-digit IM tray label format, the two barcodes were necessary to make a smooth transition to the pure 24-digit IM tray label format.”USPS original
• The pure 24-digit label carries only the 24-digit barcode and human-readable information.3Intelligent Mail Tray Label Technical Fact SheetPDF page 3“The pure 24-digit tray label contains only a single barcode, the 24-digit Intelligent Mail Tray barcode, along with additional human readable information.”USPS original

USPS has finished upgrading its equipment to read the pure 24-digit label.3Intelligent Mail Tray Label Technical Fact SheetPDF page 3“The Postal Service has now completed its infrastructure upgrade in support of the pure 24-digit tray label format.”USPS original It strongly encourages mailers to adopt it.3Intelligent Mail Tray Label Technical Fact SheetPDF page 3“Mailers are strongly encouraged to adopt the pure 24-digit format.”USPS original The other two formats stay acceptable for now, and USPS expects to retire them.3Intelligent Mail Tray Label Technical Fact SheetPDF page 3“However, as there still seems to be a need for some mailers to use the legacy 10-digit as well as the 10/24-digit tray label formats, it is envisaged that these formats will still be acceptable for now but at some point, will be retired.”USPS original

Each format with the 24-digit barcode has its own specification: SPUSPS-L-3191 for the 10/24-digit label and SPUSPS-L-3216 for the pure 24-digit label.6Intelligent Mail Tray Label Technical Fact SheetPDF page 2“Detailed tray label specifications for both the 10/24-digit (SPUSPS - L - 3191) transitional label format (PDF/321K or Word/892KB) and the pure 24-digit (SPUSPS - L – 3216) label format (PDF/194K or Word/633KB) are available on PostalPro.”USPS original The DMM sets the policy on adopting and using each format.3Intelligent Mail Tray Label Technical Fact SheetPDF page 3“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).”USPS original

A mailer can print labels from the PostalPro specifications or create them with the Intelligent Mail Barcode Generator on the Business Customer Gateway.3Intelligent Mail Tray Label Technical Fact SheetPDF page 3“To obtain Intelligent Mail tray labels, mailers can: • Produce labels using the specifications available on PostalPro: https://postalpro.usps.com/mailing/intelligent-mail-tray-label • Use the Web-based Intelligent Mail Barcode Generator (IMBG) available through the Business Customer Gateway (BCG) to create printable tray labels.”USPS original Mailers can also create and print labels with the Customer Label Distribution System.9PostalPro: Customer Label Distribution System“CLDS is a web-based application that provides mailers with the capability to create, edit, and locally print Intelligent Mail tray labels.”USPS original

The Customer Label Distribution System is a web application that lets mailers create, edit and print Intelligent Mail tray labels on their own printers.9PostalPro: Customer Label Distribution System“CLDS is a web-based application that provides mailers with the capability to create, edit, and locally print Intelligent Mail tray labels.”USPS original It prints label orders on local Windows printers9PostalPro: Customer Label Distribution System“Print label orders on local Windows printers”USPS original or on a Microcom 426 label printer.9PostalPro: Customer Label Distribution System“Print label orders on a Microcom 426 label printer”USPS original

The Topeka National Print Center no longer prints tray labels.9PostalPro: Customer Label Distribution System“Tray labels are no longer printed by the Topeka National Print Center (NPC).”USPS original The system no longer registers new users, because USPS plans to replace it.9PostalPro: Customer Label Distribution System“New users are no longer being registered to use CLDS as it will soon be replaced with a new user-friendly application.”USPS original USPS scheduled that replacement, an updated tray label application, for January 2023.9PostalPro: Customer Label Distribution System“CLDS is scheduled to be replaced in January 2023 with a user-friendly updated tray label application.”USPS original

A user guide answers general questions about the system.9PostalPro: Customer Label Distribution System“For general questions, please use the CLDS User Guide.”USPS original

USPS keeps a user guide for Intelligent Mail Tray Label certification and a list of tray label vendors.2PostalPro: Intelligent Mail® Tray Label“This document contains the user guide for Intelligent Mail Tray Label certification.”USPS original 2PostalPro: Intelligent Mail® Tray Label“This document contains the Intelligent Mail Tray Label vendors list.”USPS original The tray label specification is written for USPS and approved vendors that build systems to produce, read, decode or transmit tray label information.10Intelligent Mail Tray Label 10-Digit and 10/24-Digit Technical Specificationspage 32“Intended Use – This document shall be used by the Postal Service and approved vendors for manufacturing systems that will produce, read, decode, and/or transmit IM Tray label information for automated processing.”USPS original

Each vendor on the list is entered under the certification program INTELLIGENT MAIL TRAY LABEL.11Intelligent Mail Tray Label Vendors ListPDF page 1“Certification Program: INTELLIGENT MAIL TRAY LABEL”USPS original An entry names the company, its software product and version, and a printer brand and model.11Intelligent Mail Tray Label Vendors ListPDF page 1“Product Name and Version: LABEL STUDIO VERSION 7.90 C [TP]”USPS original 11Intelligent Mail Tray Label Vendors ListPDF page 1“Printer Brand/Model: HP/5M [P]”USPS original

The specification sets the label requirements and the process that verifies a label meets them.12Intelligent Mail Tray Label 10-Digit and 10/24-Digit Technical Specificationspage 36“Label requirements are addressed in this specification in detail in terms of the labels' ability to meet the stated requirements and the process used to verify that labels meet those requirements.”USPS original At least 70 percent of the barcodes in a mailing must grade A or B, and none of the rest may grade below C.8Intelligent Mail Tray Label 10-Digit and 10/24-Digit Technical Specificationspage 31“At least 70 percent of the barcodes shall measure American National Standards Institute (ANSI) grade A or B and none of the remaining portion shall measure lower than ANSI grade C when measured with a 10 mils aperture (0.250 mm) in light in the red spectral range between 630 nanometers (nm) and 675 nm.”USPS original Label stock also goes through the machine test in What goes wrong.13Intelligent Mail Tray Label 10-Digit and 10/24-Digit Technical Specificationspage 40“Operational Testing (Machine) – Two hundred labels shall be submitted and used to print test labels for flats and letter tubs in order to verify operational performance of labels.”USPS original

The label printer is responsible for inspecting and testing every IM tray label before it reaches USPS.8Intelligent Mail Tray Label 10-Digit and 10/24-Digit Technical Specificationspage 31“The label printing entity is responsible for the inspection and testing of all IM™ Tray labels prior to submission to the United States Postal Service.”USPS original Perforations through the barcode or its clear zones are not permitted.17Intelligent Mail Tray Label 10-Digit and 10/24-Digit Technical Specificationspage 16“Perforations are not permitted through the barcode and barcode clear zones on the labels.”USPS original

Label stock goes through machine testing to check how the labels perform in operation.13Intelligent Mail Tray Label 10-Digit and 10/24-Digit Technical Specificationspage 40“Operational Testing (Machine) – Two hundred labels shall be submitted and used to print test labels for flats and letter tubs in order to verify operational performance of labels.”USPS original The test needs a USPS plant with a working Tray Management System or Low Cost Tray Sorter.13Intelligent Mail Tray Label 10-Digit and 10/24-Digit Technical Specificationspage 40“At least one P&DC site equipped with an operating Tray Management System (TMS) or Low Cost Tray Sorter (LCTS) that meets all Postal Service requirements.”USPS original That reader processes a test deck of labeled trays.18Intelligent Mail Tray Label 10-Digit and 10/24-Digit Technical Specificationspage 41“Transfer the labeled test deck from 60.2.3.2. to a tray label barcode reader, such as, TMS or Low Cost Tray Sorter, and process it with this system.”USPS original Trays rejected as unreadable run a second time, and those rejected again are counted and set aside.18Intelligent Mail Tray Label 10-Digit and 10/24-Digit Technical Specificationspage 41“If any of these pieces are rejected as unreadable in the second pass, record the total and set them aside for additional evaluation.”USPS original Every barcode must grade C or better.18Intelligent Mail Tray Label 10-Digit and 10/24-Digit Technical Specificationspage 41“All bar codes shall have an ANSI grade of “C” or better.”USPS original

A mailer gets a Mailer ID from the local Business Mail Entry Unit or a Mailpiece Design Analyst.6Intelligent Mail Tray Label Technical Fact SheetPDF page 2“A Mailer ID (MID) is required and should be obtained from the local Business Mail Entry Unit (BMEU) or Mailpiece Design Analyst (MDA), unless you plan to subscribe to OneCode Confirm or OneCode ACS.”USPS original The Business Mail Entry Unit locator is at https://postalpro.usps.com/ppro-tools/business-mail-entry.6Intelligent Mail Tray Label Technical Fact SheetPDF page 2“BMEUs can be located at https://postalpro.usps.com/ppro-tools/business-mail-entry”USPS original Mailpiece Design Analyst contacts are at https://postalpro.usps.com/mailing/mailpiece_design_knowledge_base.6Intelligent Mail Tray Label Technical Fact SheetPDF page 2“MDA contact information is posted at https://postalpro.usps.com/mailing/mailpiece_design_knowledge_base.”USPS original

Questions about the label specification go to the IM Tray Label Program Manager in Intelligent Mail Planning and Standards, at (703) 280-7293.10Intelligent Mail Tray Label 10-Digit and 10/24-Digit Technical Specificationspage 32“Tel.: (703) 280-7293”USPS original

Questions about existing Customer Label Distribution System orders go to Topeka National Print Center Customer Service, at 1-800-332-0317, option 3, or topeka.lpc@usps.gov.9PostalPro: Customer Label Distribution System“Topeka NPC Customer Service Phone: 1-800-332-0317 option: 3 (for Tray and Sack) Email: topeka.lpc@usps.gov”USPS original Technical questions about the system go to the USPS help desk at 1-800-USPS-HELP, 1-800-877-7435.9PostalPro: Customer Label Distribution System“For technical questions regarding CLDS contact the USPS help desk at 1-800-USPS-HELP (1-800-877-7435).”USPS original