OneCode ACS

OneCode ACS is one of four ways to take part in Address Change Service, which replaces manual address correction notices with electronic ones.3OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 7“ACS has four distinct implementation methods OneCode ACS, Full Service ACS, IMpb ACS and Traditional ACS. … To help meet this objective, ACS is designed to substantially reduce the number of manual address correction notices sent to mailers and replace them with electronic notices.”USPS original The others are Full Service ACS, IMpb ACS and Traditional ACS.3OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 7“ACS has four distinct implementation methods OneCode ACS, Full Service ACS, IMpb ACS and Traditional ACS.”USPS original Unlike Traditional ACS, OneCode ACS needs the Intelligent Mail barcode on every piece.4PostalPro: OneCode ACS®“The Intelligent Mail® barcode is not required to receive Traditional ACS.”USPS original5OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 15“OneCode ACS requires using the Intelligent Mail barcode.”USPS original

Mailers of First-Class Mail, USPS Marketing Mail and Periodicals use it for their letters and flats.1OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 8“OneCode ACS allows customers mailing First-Class Mail®, USPS Marketing Mail™, and Periodical flats or letters to receive electronic or automated address corrections using the Intelligent Mail® barcode.”USPS original Bound Printed Matter is the only Package Services product that can request it.6OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 28“Bound Printed Matter (BPM) is the only Package Service product that can be mailed using the Intelligent Mail barcode for OneCode ACS.”USPS original Mailers use it to cut the cost of keeping address lists, compared with Traditional ACS and manual corrections, and to meet Move Update requirements.7Appendix B: ACS™ Frequently Asked Questionspage 7“To take advantage of the cost savings over Traditional ACS and manual corrections; potentially lowering your overall costs for maintaining your address list, and to qualify for the Move Update requirements.”USPS original

The barcode carries what older mailpieces printed as separate lines: the ancillary service endorsement, the optional endorsement line and the ZIP Code.1OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 8“The Intelligent Mail barcode represents the Ancillary Service Endorsement, OEL, and ZIP Code (Exhibit 2).”USPS original Its serial number, set by the mailer, takes the place of the keyline, the mailer's code for the recipient.1OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 8“The Serial Number in this barcode is assigned by the mailer and can be used to identify the addressee or the mailpiece and takes the place of the Keyline. … The mailer Keyline identifies the recipient in the sender's mailing list and may also represent a specific mailpiece.”USPS original

OneCode ACS is also the basis for Full Service ACS notices, which go to qualified Full Service mailers.1OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 8“OneCode ACS is the basis for the creation of Full Service ACS notices that are provided to qualified Full Service mailers.”USPS original The same barcode can request other USPS services, such as IMb Tracing.8OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 9“Customers can use the Intelligent Mail barcode to qualify for automation discounts and also to combine USPS services like IMb Tracing, OneCode ACS and Full Service ACS.”USPS original

USPS can forward mail or send a notice only when the customer has filed a change-of-address order.9OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 11“The USPS® can forward mail or notify mailers of a Change of Address (COA) only if the customer submits a change of address request with the Postal Service™.”USPS original A notice starts when a piece is found undeliverable as addressed because the addressee moved.9OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 11“When a mailpiece is intercepted by the Postal Automated Redirection System (PARS) or identified by delivery personnel as Undeliverable as Addressed (UAA) due to customer relocation, the following occurs:”USPS original

OneCode ACS also reports pieces that are undeliverable for reasons other than a move.9OneCode 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.”USPS original USPS calls these Nixie notices.9OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 11“These are referred to as “NIXIE” notices.”USPS original

When a carrier knows a customer moved without filing, the carrier files the order as Moved, Left No Address or Box Closed No Order.9OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 11“There are cases where the Postal Service knows the customer has moved but did not notify the USPS®, so the delivery employee submits a COA as “Moved, Left No Address” (MLNA - DNF Code: K) or “Box Closed No Order” (BCNO - DNF Code G).”USPS original The notices from these orders give no new address.9OneCode 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

Notices cover addresses in the United States and its territories.9OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 11“The USPS can only provide ACS notices for the US and its territories when the USPS provides those types of services.”USPS original Moves of military and Department of State staff to or from APO, FPO and DPO addresses count as domestic.9OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 11“ACS notices may be provided for change-of-address notices when the OLD or NEW address is for Military or Department of State personnel moving from or to an APO, FPO, or DPO address. … These are considered Domestic moves.”USPS original

The Intelligent Mail barcode has 65 bars and holds up to 31 digits.5OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 15“The barcode consists of 65 bars made up of 4 possible bars types, Full, Ascending, Descending, and Tracker. … The data fields of the barcode consist of two types of codes, Tracking and Routing, broken down into separate field identifiers totaling up to 31 numeric positions.”USPS original Its fields include these:

• The Service Type ID, a 3-digit code, stands for the ancillary service the mailer wants.10OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 16“The 3-digit Service Type Identifier (STID) corresponds with the type of service or combination of services requested. … For mail requesting ACS, the STID represents the Ancillary Service Endorsement, which provides the Postal Service with the sender's instructions on how to handle the mail if it is undeliverable as addressed.”USPS original
• The Mailer ID, six or nine digits, names the mailer and decides who receives the notices.10OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 16“The Mailer ID (MID) consists of either six or nine numeric characters and will be placed in the Mailer Identifier field of the Intelligent Mail barcode. … The Mailer ID also identifies the mailer or mail service provider and is used to determine the fulfillment of the ACS™ notices.”USPS original
• The serial number, six or nine digits by the Mailer ID's length, identifies the piece or the addressee.2OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 17“The Serial Number is a unique mailpiece identifier assigned by the mailer and is used to identify and track the mailpiece and/or the addressee. … Depending on the length of the MID, the serial number is either a six- or nine-digit number.”USPS original
• The routing code is the 5-, 9- or 11-digit ZIP Code of the delivery address.2OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 17“A routing code is the 5, 9, or 11-digit ZIP Code™ for the address on the mailpiece.”USPS original

An 11-digit delivery point ZIP Code is not required, but a shorter one suggests the address may be wrong.2OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 17“A delivery point validated 11-digit ZIP Code is not required to receive OneCode ACS, however anything less than 11 digits is an indication that the address on the mail may not be accurate for the addressee or may be new construction that has not yet been reported to the Postal Service.”USPS original

For mail that requests ACS, the Service Type ID stands for the ancillary service endorsement.10OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 16“For mail requesting ACS, the STID represents the Ancillary Service Endorsement, which provides the Postal Service with the sender's instructions on how to handle the mail if it is undeliverable as addressed.”USPS original Some services have two options, and the option is recorded only in the Service Type ID.11OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 19“Ancillary services may have two or more ancillary service endorsement options. … The option is recorded in the Service Type ID used in the barcode.”USPS original

For First-Class Mail under Change Service Requested option 1, USPS discards a forwardable piece and sends the new address for the order's full 18 months.11OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 19“During the entire 18-month life of the COA order the mailpiece is discarded and an ACS notice containing the new address is generated.”USPS original Under option 2, USPS forwards the piece and sends the new address for the first 12 months.11OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 19“During months 1 through 12 of the COA order the mailpiece is forwarded and an ACS notice containing the new address is generated.”USPS original

USPS asks mailers to check the published list for changes from time to time.10OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 16“Mailers should review the published Service Type Identifier list periodically to identify any changes or additions to the endorsements and services available.”USPS original

Some mail also carries a printed ancillary service endorsement, which must match the Service Type ID.10OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 16“When a printed Ancillary Service Endorsement is required, it must correspond to the appropriate Service Type Identifier.”USPS original When the two conflict, USPS follows the printed endorsement.12OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 18“If there is a conflict, the printed endorsement on the mail will take precedence over the OneCode ACS Service Type ID contained in the Intelligent Mail barcode.”USPS original USPS Marketing Mail letters and flats need a printed endorsement as well as the barcode.1OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 8“USPS Marketing Mail™ letters and flats still require a printed endorsement in addition to the Intelligent Mail barcode.”USPS original

Electronic Service Requested is a generic printed endorsement that stands in for the specific ones.12OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 18“The printed endorsement “Electronic Service Requested” has no specific service request, other than to serve as a “proxy” for Address Service Requested, Change Service Requested, or Return Service Requested endorsements.”USPS original USPS encourages it wherever a printed endorsement is required or desired.12OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 18“Printing the generic “Electronic Service Requested” is encouraged where a printed on-piece endorsement is required or desired.”USPS original With it, one envelope stock can carry different ancillary services by changing the Service Type ID.12OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 18“It allows the flexibility to use the same envelope stock across classes and products but vary the ancillary service by changing the Service Type ID in the IMb.”USPS original

USPS posts the notices daily to Electronic Product Fulfillment as a zipped, password-protected file.13OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 32“ACS Fulfillment files are Zipped (compressed) and password protected with an 18 character password which is comprised of alpha, numeric and special characters using PKWARE® software and posted to our secure Electronic Product Fulfillment (EPF) web site on a daily bases.”USPS original The file holds the ACS Notification File, with the notices, and Shipping Notice files that count them.13OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 32“The Notification file contains the ACS COA and Nixie notices. … The Shipping Notice Report and Data files contain ACS COA and Nixie notice record counts and other information regarding the contents of the ACS Notification file.”USPS original

The Notification File is a 702-character fixed-format file, with optional CSV and Excel versions.13OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 32“Comma Separated Value (CSV) Format: We will provide the new ACS Version 702 character fixed File format and a .csv version of that file. … Excel Binary File (XML/XLS) Format: We will provide the ACS Version 702 character fixed file format and a version of that file which will open in Microsoft® Excel or in another spreadsheet application.”USPS original Electronic Product Fulfillment deletes Notification Files after 95 days.14OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 33“All ACS notification files over 95 days old will be deleted.”USPS original

A notice's Deliverability Code shows what kind of notice it is.15OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 34“The Deliverability Code indicates the deliverability status of the mailpiece that generated the notice.”USPS original

• A notice from a forwardable order leaves the code blank and gives the name, old address and new address.15OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 34“Notices generated from a forwardable COA: ACS notices with a space in the Deliverability Code field and provide the mailer with a customer's name, old address, and new address as reflected on the COA.”USPS original
• A notice from a temporary move puts W in the code and gives no new address.15OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 34“If a temporary move has been filed, a "W" will be in the Deliverability Code field and no new address information will be provided.”USPS original
• A notice from an order USPS filed puts K or G in the code.15OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 34“ACS notices that contain either a "K" or "G" in the Deliverability Code field.”USPS original
• A Nixie notice puts one of 15 Nixie codes in the code, for the reason the piece was undeliverable.15OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 34“Nixie (undeliverable for reasons other than a move) notices: ACS notices that contain one of 15 nixie codes in the Deliverability Code field, which identify the reason for non-delivery.”USPS original

USPS charges an automated or an electronic fee for each notice, by how it made the notice.16Appendix B: ACS™ Frequently Asked Questionspage 9“ACS mailers are charged the automated or electronic address correction fee for ACS notices fulfilled. … The amount charged is based on the method used to provide the ACS notice.”USPS original Letters that can run on letter automation equipment pay the automated fee.16Appendix 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, nonmachineable letters and letters that automation might damage pay the electronic fee.16Appendix 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

Full Service ACS notices are free.17OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 12“Full Service ACS notices are provided at no charge.”USPS original USPS lists the fees in DMM Notice 123.17OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 12“Please refer to the DMM Notice 123 Domestic Other Service, Address Correction Service for all related fees at:”USPS original

The billing cycle runs from the 25th of one month to the 24th of the next.18OneCode 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 Refund requests for wrongly charged notices go by email to acs@usps.gov.19OneCode 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 them within 45 days of the invoice.19OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 14“Requests must be received within 45 days of receipt of the invoice.”USPS original

Every ACS customer must give a dedicated email address for USPS messages about ACS and other postal products.22ACS™ Enrollment FormPDF page 1“All ACS customers are required to provide a dedicated email address to receive communications regarding ACS and other postal products.”USPS original

The account details do not mean USPS has approved the mailer.20OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 37“Please be advised that the receipt of the information above does not mean that the authorization or approval process is complete.”USPS original The sample test is voluntary, but USPS highly recommends testing the barcode before mailing.23OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 38“The following procedures are voluntary and are not required for activation; however the Postal Service highly recommends that your Intelligent Mail barcode is tested prior to mailing.”USPS original

A mailer that already uses OneCode or Traditional ACS has Electronic Product Fulfillment access and needs no new PS Form 5116.24Appendix B: ACS™ Frequently Asked Questionspage 8“If you are already an OneCode or Traditional ACS customer, you are a current EPF user and you will not need to submit an additional Web Access Request Form (PS 5116), unless an additional EPF login is desired.”USPS original

The most common mistakes in a OneCode ACS piece are these.23OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 38“The following are the most common mistakes made when creating a OneCode ACS mailpiece:”USPS original

• No return address on the address side.23OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 38“There is not a return address as required on the addressing side of the mailpiece.”USPS original
• Missing or invalid endorsements, or endorsements of the wrong size, direction or clearance.23OneCode 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
• A Mailer ID that is missing or wrong.23OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 38“The Mailer ID embedded in the barcode is either not present or incorrect.”USPS original
• A Service Type ID that is missing or does not request ACS.23OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 38“Service Type ID is either not present or does not request ACS.”USPS original
• A serial number that is all zeroes or repeats.23OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 38“The serial number is all zeroes or not unique for each mailpiece.”USPS original
• A routing code without a valid ZIP Code.23OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 38“The Routing Code does not contain valid ZIP or delivery point information.”USPS original
• A barcode without 65 bars, or one hidden by an envelope window.23OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 38“The IM barcode does not have 65 bars. … If a window envelope is used, the IM barcode is not visible or is obstructed.”USPS original
• An address format such as Or Current Resident.23OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 38“There is an exceptional address format used such as “Or Current Resident” on the ACS mailpiece.”USPS original

USPS may send manual notices or return the piece instead of an electronic notice.12OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 18“Under certain circumstances, manual notices or returned mail may be provided instead of electronic ACS notices.”USPS original ACS is not a guaranteed service.19OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 14“ACS is not a guaranteed service.”USPS original A specific printed endorsement can bring hardcopy notices or returned mail when the barcode can't be read.12OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 18“Printing a specific endorsement (“Address Service Requested”, “Change Service Requested”, or “Return Service Requested”) could result in hardcopy notices or returned mail if the barcode cannot be read.”USPS original Electronic Service Requested without an ACS request in the barcode brings extra handling, postage and fees.26OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 31“Failure to request ACS in the IMb will result in additional handling by the USPS and postage and fees assessed will be charged.”USPS original

USPS does not accept change-of-address orders from single-point deliveries such as colleges, prisons, hospitals and commercial mail receiving agencies.9OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 11“COA records from colleges and universities, individuals within a business, or other single-point deliveries including, but not limited to, commercial mail receiving agencies (CMRA), prisons, hospitals, nursing homes, campus dormitories, and sorority or fraternity houses are not accepted or processed by the USPS.”USPS original Pieces those places return as undeliverable make no ACS notices.9OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 11“Pieces returned as undeliverable by these institutions are not eligible to produce ACS records.”USPS original

A notice's fields can be wrong, because USPS sometimes uses order data exactly as the customer gave it.13OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 32“In rare instances when our systems are unable to make corrections to the COA data submitted by the customer the USPS has no choice but to utilize the data exactly how it was provided by the customer.”USPS original The names on a notice may not match the names on the piece.15OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 34“The names in this field may not match the names on the mailpiece.”USPS original USPS strongly suggests that software check every field and send problems to an error file instead of stopping.13OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 32“We strongly suggest that all automated systems utilizing ACS data perform validity checks on all fields. … If any abnormal issue is found it is suggested that the information be written to an error file for manual review instead of terminating the program.”USPS original

An unpaid account can stop notices and bring manual notices or returned mail.18OneCode 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 USPS gives no refund for duplicate notices from several pieces mailed to one addressee.19OneCode 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

• OneCode ACS questions: onecodesolution@usps.gov or 877-640-0724.4PostalPro: OneCode ACS®“For more information about the OneCode ACS, access onecodesolution@usps.gov or call 877-640-0724”USPS original
• The ACS Department: acs@usps.gov or (877) 640-0724, option 1.25OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 39“If you have any questions, please contact the ACS Department via email at acs@usps.gov or by phone at (877) 640-0724 (Option 1) with any questions before mailing.”USPS original Its mailing address is National Customer Support Center, 225 N. Humphreys Blvd Ste 501, Memphis TN 38188-1001.21ACS™ Enrollment FormPDF page 2“ACS DEPARTMENT NATIONAL CUSTOMER SUPPORT CENTER UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE 225 N.HUMPHREYS BLVD STE 501 MEMPHIS TN 38188-1001”USPS original
• The MDA Support Center, for mailpiece design and barcode testing: 855-593-6093 or mda@usps.gov.23OneCode 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 It is open Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm Central.23OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 38“The MDA Support Center hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8 am – 5 pm, CST.”USPS original
• Accounts Receivable at the National Customer Support Center, for card and ACH payments: 901-681-4658.18OneCode ACS® Technical Guide page 13“Credit Card and ACH Credit payment options available to NCSC Accounting customers, please contact the NCSC Accounts Receivable Department at 901-681-4658 for information.”USPS original