Service Performance Measurement (SPM) Mail Exclusions

Full-Service is one of two Intelligent Mail offerings.2Publication 32: Glossary of Postal TermsPDF page 96“One of two Intelligent Mail offerings that requires a maximum 31-digit Intelligent Mail barcode comprising five fields: the Barcode ID, Service Type Identifier, Mailer ID, Serial Number, and Routing Code.”USPS original It requires unique mailpiece barcodes, electronic documentation and appointments in Facility Access and Shipment Tracking, known as FAST, to enter mailings.2Publication 32: Glossary of Postal TermsPDF page 96“The Full-Service Intelligent Mail option requires unique mailpiece barcodes, the use of Intelligent Mail barcodes on tray labels or container placards, electronic documentation, and the use of Facility Access and Shipment Tracking to schedule appointments for the entry of mailings.”USPS original USPS measures service performance on Full-Service mail.3Service Performance Measurement Fact SheetPDF page 1“The USPS measures service performance on Full-Service mail.”USPS original

Service performance is the number of days mail takes from the mailer's point of entry to delivery by USPS.4Publication 32: Glossary of Postal Termspage 203“In general, the time it takes mail to enter and exit the mailstream measured in the number of days from the point of entry by the mailer to the point of delivery by USPS.”USPS original USPS measures Full-Service volume end to end and compares it against published service standards.3Service Performance Measurement Fact SheetPDF page 1“Full Service volume is measured end-to-end and is compared against published service standards.”USPS original Some Full-Service mail is not measured.3Service Performance Measurement Fact SheetPDF page 1“Some Full-Service mail is not measured for Service Performance.”USPS original Each piece that is not measured gets an exclusion reason.3Service Performance Measurement Fact SheetPDF page 1“Any mail that is not measured will have an exclusion reason.”USPS original

SPM Mail Exclusions is for commercial mailers who want information on exclusions or access to the SPM Exclusion by CRID tool.1PostalPro: Service Performance Measurement (SPM) Mail Exclusions“Commercial mailers who are looking to find information on mail exclusions or how to access the 'SPM Exclusions by CRID' tool.”USPS original Getting more mail measured gives mailers more visibility,1PostalPro: Service Performance Measurement (SPM) Mail Exclusions“Increased visibility”USPS original more precise operations through better service diagnostics,1PostalPro: Service Performance Measurement (SPM) Mail Exclusions“Heightened operational precision through improved service performance diagnostics”USPS original and cross-functional work on each week's top excluding CRIDs.1PostalPro: Service Performance Measurement (SPM) Mail Exclusions“Cross-functional work on weekly top exclusion contributing CRIDs”USPS original

The SPM Exclusion by CRID tool reports exclusions by Customer Registration ID, a USPS code that identifies a business at a specific location.5CRID ManagementPDF page 1“A Customer Registration Identification number (CRID) is a USPS-generated numeric code of up to 15 digits that uniquely identifies a business at a specific location.”USPS original Mailers reach it through the Business Customer Gateway.1PostalPro: Service Performance Measurement (SPM) Mail Exclusions“Step-by-step instructions on how access the SPM Exclusions by CRID application through the Business Customer Gateway.”USPS original On March 29, 2024, USPS updated the tool to give piece-level data and application notes.1PostalPro: Service Performance Measurement (SPM) Mail Exclusions“March 29, 2024 | Updated SPM Exclusion by CRID tool to provide piece level data drill and application notes”USPS original

Mailers get Start-the-Clock information as part of Full-Service feedback.3Service Performance Measurement Fact SheetPDF page 1“As a part of Full-Service feedback, Mailers have access to Start-theClock information.”USPS original Start-the-Clock is the recorded date and time a mailpiece enters the mailstream.6Publication 32: Glossary of Postal Termspage 213“The recorded date and time when a mailpiece enters the mailstream, usually captured by scanning a container or mailpiece barcode.”USPS original A mailer cuts its excluded mail by checking the data in its eDoc, its electronic documentation, and by fixing mail preparation problems.3Service Performance Measurement Fact SheetPDF page 1“Mailers can reduce amount of mail excluded by verifying the accuracy of data in their electronic documentation and reducing mail preparation issues.”USPS original

A CRID with no exclusion volume gets a message window saying so.11How to Access the SPM Exclusions by CRID ApplicationPDF page 6“Note – if you do not have any exclusion volume, then you will see a message window to that effect.”USPS original

USPS names four exclusions as the top preventable ones.3Service Performance Measurement Fact SheetPDF page 1“LIST OF TOP FOUR PREVENTABLE”USPS original

Incorrect Entry Facility excludes mail when the eDoc's entry facility doesn't match the facility on the container's FAST appointment.3Service Performance Measurement Fact SheetPDF page 1“Mail is excluded from Service Measurement when the entry facility (locale key or postal code) in the eDoc provided by the mailer does not match the facility specified in the associated FAST appointment for a container.”USPS original The eDoc names the facility by postal code or by locale key, a unique identifier for every USPS facility.3Service Performance Measurement Fact SheetPDF page 1“Mail is excluded from Service Measurement when the entry facility (locale key or postal code) in the eDoc provided by the mailer does not match the facility specified in the associated FAST appointment for a container.”USPS original12Mail.dat Technical Specifications R65.0.0.0page 174“The locale key is a unique identifier for every USPS facility.”USPS original

Invalid Entry Point for Entry Discount excludes drop-ship mail when the eDoc claims an entry discount that is invalid at the eDoc's entry facility.3Service Performance Measurement Fact SheetPDF page 1“Mail is excluded from Service Measurement when the entry discount claimed in the eDoc is invalid at the entry facility identified in the eDoc for drop-ship mail.”USPS original Mailers check entry facilities against the Mail Direction File, part of the Drop Ship Product on the FAST website.3Service Performance Measurement Fact SheetPDF page 1“Verify entry facility information using the MDF (Mail Direction Files) lookup tool at fast.usps.com.”USPS original13Mail.dat Technical Specifications R65.0.0.0page 175“The Mail Direction File is part of the drop ship product available from the FAST website at https://fast.usps.com/fast/fastApp/resources/dropShipFileDownload.action.”USPS original

Inaccurate Ship Date applies to mail USPS carries from a Detached Mail Unit, a business mail entry unit at the mailer's production plant.3Service Performance Measurement Fact SheetPDF page 1“Mail is excluded from Service Measurement when it is transported by USPS from a DMU, the scheduled ship date provided in the eDoc is more than 48 hours before the postage statement finalization date/time and the container does not receive a scan when it arrives at the USPS facility.”USPS original14A Guide to Full Servicepage 101“Detached Mail Unit (A BMEU located at a mailer’s mail production plant)”USPS original It excludes that mail when the eDoc's scheduled ship date is more than 48 hours before postage statement finalization.3Service Performance Measurement Fact SheetPDF page 1“Mail is excluded from Service Measurement when it is transported by USPS from a DMU, the scheduled ship date provided in the eDoc is more than 48 hours before the postage statement finalization date/time and the container does not receive a scan when it arrives at the USPS facility.”USPS original The exclusion also needs the container to arrive at the USPS facility without a scan.3Service Performance Measurement Fact SheetPDF page 1“Mail is excluded from Service Measurement when it is transported by USPS from a DMU, the scheduled ship date provided in the eDoc is more than 48 hours before the postage statement finalization date/time and the container does not receive a scan when it arrives at the USPS facility.”USPS original

Duplicate IMb excludes a mailpiece whose Intelligent Mail barcode is not unique within 45 days.3Service Performance Measurement Fact SheetPDF page 1“Mail is excluded from Service Measurement when the barcode on the mailpiece is not unique within 45 days.”USPS original

USPS lists more exclusion reasons beyond the top four.15Service Performance Measurement Fact SheetPDF page 2“Additional Exclusions”USPS original Several exclude every piece in the tray, sack or container that holds the error.15Service Performance Measurement Fact SheetPDF page 2“All mailpieces in the tray or sack with this error will be excluded.”USPS original

• Non-Unique IMtb: the eDoc's Intelligent Mail tray barcode is not unique or is 24 nines.15Service Performance Measurement Fact SheetPDF page 2“The Intelligent Mail tray barcode (IMtb) in the eDoc is not unique or is 24-digits of 9s (999….9999).”USPS original Every piece in the tray or sack is excluded.15Service Performance Measurement Fact SheetPDF page 2“All mailpieces in the tray or sack with this error will be excluded.”USPS original
• Orphan Handling Unit: an eDoc tray or sack sits on no pallet or other container and enters somewhere other than a business mail entry unit.15Service Performance Measurement Fact SheetPDF page 2“A tray or sack from the electronic documentation was not placed on a pallet or other type of container and is being entered at a facility other than a BMEU.”USPS original Every piece in it is excluded.15Service Performance Measurement Fact SheetPDF page 2“All mailpieces in the tray or sack with this error will be excluded.”USPS original
• Non-Unique IMcb: the eDoc's Intelligent Mail container barcode is not unique.15Service Performance Measurement Fact SheetPDF page 2“The Intelligent Mail Container barcode (IMcb) in the eDoc is not unique.”USPS original Every piece in the container is excluded.15Service Performance Measurement Fact SheetPDF page 2“All mailpieces in the container with this error will be excluded.”USPS original
• Invalid Delivery Point: the delivery point in the Intelligent Mail barcode does not exist in USPS addressing systems.15Service Performance Measurement Fact SheetPDF page 2“The delivery point in the Intelligent Mail barcode (IMb) does not exist in the USPS addressing systems.”USPS original
• Unknown Entry Facility: the eDoc's entry facility for a container does not exist in the USPS network.15Service Performance Measurement Fact SheetPDF page 2“The entry facility provided in the electronic documentation for a container does not exist in the USPS network.”USPS original
• Invalid Origin ZIP5: the eDoc gives no locale key, and the entry point's 5-digit ZIP Code matches no valid Area or District.15Service Performance Measurement Fact SheetPDF page 2“If a locale key was not provided, the entry point 5-digit ZIP Code does not match to a valid Area or District.”USPS original
• Invalid Start-the-Clock Date: when it was set, the Start-the-Clock date was 120 days or more from the current date.15Service Performance Measurement Fact SheetPDF page 2“On the date when it was set, the Start-the-Clock date was 120 days or more from the current date.”USPS original
• Destination Entered FCM: the eDoc marks First-Class Mail as destination entered, which is not a valid preparation.15Service Performance Measurement Fact SheetPDF page 2“In the electronic documentation, First-Class Mail was identified as destination entered which is not a valid preparation.”USPS original
• Invalid Container Level for Entry: a container prepared for Destination Flats Sequencing System goes to a facility that does not support that entry.15Service Performance Measurement Fact SheetPDF page 2“A container prepared for Destination Flats Sequencing System (DFSS) is entered at facility that does not support FSS entry.”USPS original
• Incorrect Appointment: the appointment in the eDoc doesn't match the appointment tied to the Surface Visibility unload scans.15Service Performance Measurement Fact SheetPDF page 2“Non-matching Appointments between the eDoc and the Surface Visibility (SV) unload scans associated Appointment.”USPS original
• PARS Threshold Failure: during processing, the piece was redirected to a different delivery point, or the Postal Automated Redirection System found it undeliverable.15Service Performance Measurement Fact SheetPDF page 2“During processing, the mailpiece was redirected to a different delivery point or was identified as undeliverable by PARS (Postal Automated Redirection System).”USPS original
• FAST Appointment Irregularity: the appointment the container was unloaded from had an irregularity noted in FAST.15Service Performance Measurement Fact SheetPDF page 2“The appointment that the container was unloaded from had an irregularity. … Appointment irregularities are noted in the Facility Access Shipping and Tracking (FAST) system.”USPS original Every piece in the containers on that appointment is excluded.15Service Performance Measurement Fact SheetPDF page 2“All mailpieces in the containers on the appointment will be excluded.”USPS original
• Non-Unique Physical IMcb: a container's Intelligent Mail container barcode was scanned on several different appointments.15Service Performance Measurement Fact SheetPDF page 2“The IMcb on a container was scanned on multiple different appointments.”USPS original Every piece in the container is excluded.15Service Performance Measurement Fact SheetPDF page 2“All mailpieces in the container with this error will be excluded.”USPS original
• PBV Threshold Failure: at acceptance, the mailing failed one or more of the clerk's manual verifications.15Service Performance Measurement Fact SheetPDF page 2“During the mail acceptance process, the mailing did not pass all manual verifications performed by the clerk.”USPS original Pieces on the postage statement with verification failures are excluded.15Service Performance Measurement Fact SheetPDF page 2“All mailpieces on the postage statement with verification failures will be excluded.”USPS original
• Broken Pallet: while unloading, the user marked the container as a broken pallet on the Surface Visibility handheld.15Service Performance Measurement Fact SheetPDF page 2“While unloading a container from the truck, the user identified that the container was a broken pallet. … This error is identified on the SV handheld.”USPS original Every piece in the container is excluded.15Service Performance Measurement Fact SheetPDF page 2“All mailpieces in the container with this error will be excluded.”USPS original
• Inaccurate eDoc Nesting: a scan finds a piece in a different tray or container than the eDoc lists it in.15Service Performance Measurement Fact SheetPDF page 2“When scanned, a mailpiece is found in a different tray or container than the piece was included on in the electronic documentation.”USPS original

Duplicate IMbs show on the Mailer Scorecard, a mail quality tool with a monthly dashboard of a mailer's results.3Service Performance Measurement Fact SheetPDF page 1“Duplicate IMb numbers are identified on the mailer scorecard and USPS will contact mailers when the duplicate IMb percentage exceeds a set threshold.”USPS original16Guide to eInductionpage 52“a mail quality tool, the Mailer Scorecard, which displays a dashboard view of the results of the letter and flat mailing activity within each of these initiatives over a calendar month.”USPS original USPS contacts a mailer when its duplicate IMb percentage exceeds a set threshold.3Service Performance Measurement Fact SheetPDF page 1“Duplicate IMb numbers are identified on the mailer scorecard and USPS will contact mailers when the duplicate IMb percentage exceeds a set threshold.”USPS original

An out-of-date Mail Direction File may cause an Invalid Entry Point for Entry Discount exclusion.3Service Performance Measurement Fact SheetPDF page 1“This error may be causing by using an out-of-date version of the MDF.”USPS original