Shipper Paid Services
Shipper Paid Services is an Address Change Service option that gives parcel mailers electronic address corrections and bills forwarding or return postage to their account.PostalPro: Shipper Paid Services“Shipper Paid Services is an ACS fulfillment option that allows parcel mailers to receive an electronic address correction and pay forwarding or return postage via their ACS account rather than charging the customer.”USPS original Paying the forwarding postage this way makes it less likely that the addressee refuses the parcel.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 7“Shipper Paid Service provides an option for the shipper to pay the forwarding postage via the ACS account, minimizing the chance that the parcel will be refused.”USPS original
What it is
Address Change Service, or ACS, is a Move Update option that sends mailers electronic address correction notices for undeliverable mail.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 7“ACS™ is a Move Update option that allows mailers of letters, flats or parcels to receive electronic address correction notices for undeliverable mail.”USPS original Shipper Paid Services is one way of receiving its notices, for parcels.PostalPro: Shipper Paid Services“Shipper Paid Services is an ACS fulfillment option that allows parcel mailers to receive an electronic address correction and pay forwarding or return postage via their ACS account rather than charging the customer.”USPS original
Package Services parcels and Bound Printed Matter flats that are forwarded arrive at the new address as postage due.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 7“Package Services parcels and Bound Printed Mail flats that must be forwarded will arrive as “Postage Due” at the new address.”USPS original An addressee who refuses to pay sends the parcel back, and the mailer is charged both the forwarding and the return postage.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 7“If the addressee refuses the piece to avoid paying the forwarding postage, the parcel is returned to the mailer, and both the forwarding and return postage is charged.”USPS original Shipper Paid Services moves the forwarding postage to the shipper's ACS account instead.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 7“Shipper Paid Service provides an option for the shipper to pay the forwarding postage via the ACS account, minimizing the chance that the parcel will be refused.”USPS original
Shipper Paid Services is available for parcels mailed at these prices:Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 7“Shipper Paid Service is available for use on parcels mailed at the following prices: • Parcel Select • Package Services (including Library Mail and Media Mail) • Bound Printed Matter (including Bound Printed Matter flats) • USPS Marketing Mail™ parcels”USPS original
- Parcel Select
- Package Services, including Library Mail and Media Mail
- Bound Printed Matter, including Bound Printed Matter flats
- USPS Marketing Mail parcels
Shipper Paid Services works through Traditional ACS, which reads a Participant ID and a keyline printed in the address block.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 10“When a specific ancillary service and option is desired, the mailer need only print the matching Participant ID in the address block.”USPS originalTraditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 14“Alphanumeric Keylines are required on parcels requesting Shipper Paid Services and electronic ACS notices.”USPS original IMpb ACS, which gives address corrections through a parcel's barcode, offers the same option under the name Shipper Paid Forwarding / Return.PostalPro: Shipper Paid Services“IMpb ACS allows parcel mailers who print the Intelligent Mail package barcode to receive an electronic address correction using that barcode.”USPS originalIntelligent Mail® Package Barcode (IMpb) ACS™ Technical Guidepage 9“Shipper Paid Forwarding / Return (SPF/R) service is an IMpb ACS fulfillment option that allows parcel shippers to receive an electronic address correction notice and pay forwarding or return postage for their undeliverable parcels via their ACS account.”USPS original
How it works
A Shipper Paid Services parcel carries a printed endorsement, a Participant ID and a keyline.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 9“A printed ancillary service endorsement is required when Traditional ACS with SPF/SPR is requested.”USPS originalTraditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 14“You must place the Participant ID on each mailpiece for which an electronic notification is requested. … Alphanumeric Keylines are required on parcels requesting Shipper Paid Services and electronic ACS notices.”USPS original The Participant ID is a code USPS assigns, and its ACS Profile records which endorsement option the parcel gets.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 17“You will receive your assigned Shipper Paid Service Participant ID(s).”USPS originalTraditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 10“The actual “Address Service Requested” or “Change Service Requested” endorsement and option is identified within the ACS Profile for the Participant ID.”USPS original The keyline is the mailer's own code, and it holds the parcel's mail class and weight.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 14“It is essential that the keyline printed on the parcel be formatted properly and contain the proper shipping mail class and the weight of the parcel.”USPS original When a change of address is on file, USPS forwards the parcel, sends an electronic ACS notice and bills the forwarding postage through ACS.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 9“If a Change-of-Address (COA) is on file, the parcel is forwarded and an electronic ACS notice is provided. … The mailer pays the forwarding postage and address correction fee via ACS.”USPS original
How a mailer joins Shipper Paid Services.
- Complete the ACS Enrollment Form and PS Form 5116, the Electronic Product Fulfillment Web Access Request Form.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 17“Complete all sections of the ACS Enrollment Form and the PS Form 5116, Electronic Product Fulfillment Web Access Request Form.”USPS original
- Have an authorized officer or agent of the account owner sign the enrollment form.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 17“The ACS Enrollment Form must be signed by an authorized officer or agent of the company, firm, or organization indicated as the Account Owner.”USPS original
- Within 10 days of the application, receive the assigned Participant IDs.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 17“Step 2: Within 10 Days After We Receive the Application … You will receive your assigned Shipper Paid Service Participant ID(s).”USPS original
- Check the Participant IDs, and tell the ACS Department at once if any are wrong.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 17“If any of this information is incorrect, notify the ACS Department immediately.”USPS original
- Send 25 to 50 sample labels showing the Participant ID and keyline coding.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 17“Submit 25 to 50 sample shipping labels or address blocks that have been modified to reflect the proper ACS Participant ID and Shipper Paid Service keyline coding.”USPS original
- Give each sample a different keyline, so USPS can verify the check digit.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 17“Each sample label must have a different keyline so that we may verify your check digit calculation and placement.”USPS original
Endorsements and options
Each parcel needs a printed ancillary service endorsement, and the Shipper Paid option is not printed as part of it.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 9“A printed ancillary service endorsement is required when Traditional ACS with SPF/SPR is requested. … The words “Shipper Paid Service” and the option identified in the descriptions below are not part of the printed ancillary service endorsement that is applied to the parcel.”USPS original The endorsement and option are kept in the ACS Profile for the Participant ID.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 10“The actual “Address Service Requested” or “Change Service Requested” endorsement and option is identified within the ACS Profile for the Participant ID.”USPS original The ACS Department of the National Customer Support Center, the NCSC in Memphis, manages each profile.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 10“The ACS Profile is maintained and managed by the ACS Department of the National Customer Support Center in Memphis TN.”USPS originalTraditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 8“The United States Postal Service® (USPS®) provides support for the ACS process through the National Customer Support Center (NCSC) in Memphis TN.”USPS original
With Address Service Requested, every option forwards a parcel when a change of address is on file, with an ACS notice.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 9“If a Change-of-Address (COA) is on file, the parcel is forwarded and an electronic ACS notice is provided.”USPS original The mailer pays the forwarding postage and the address correction fee through ACS.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 9“The mailer pays the forwarding postage and address correction fee via ACS.”USPS original The options differ for parcels undeliverable for other reasons:
| Address Service Requested | Other undeliverable parcels | Return postage |
|---|---|---|
| Option 1 | Returned to sender with no ACS noticeTraditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 9“If undeliverable for any other reason (Refused, No Such Number, etc.), the parcel is returned to sender. No electronic ACS notice is provided.”USPS original | Paid at the Post Office of the return addressTraditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 9“The mailer pays postage and/or fees for return of the piece at the Post Office of the return address.”USPS original |
| Option 2 | Returned to sender with an ACS noticeTraditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 9“If undeliverable for any other reason (Refused, No Such Number, etc.), the parcel is returned to sender and an electronic ACS notice is provided.”USPS original | Paid at the Post Office of the return addressTraditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 9“The mailer pays postage and/or fees for return of the piece at the Post Office of the return address.”USPS original |
| Option 3, with Shipper Paid Return | Returned to sender with an ACS noticeTraditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 9“If undeliverable for any other reason (Refused, No Such Number, etc.), the parcel is returned to sender and an electronic ACS notice is provided.”USPS original | Paid through ACS on the monthly invoiceTraditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 9“The mailer pays postage and/or fees for return of the piece via ACS. … The monthly ACS Invoice will include forwarding and return postage charges.”USPS original |
Change Service Requested with Option 2 forwards parcels when a change of address is on file but does not return parcels undeliverable for other reasons.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 7“There is a Shipper Paid Services option that allows for the forwarding of the parcel when a change of address is available, but the parcels will not be returned if undeliverable for reasons other than a move.”USPS original During months 1 to 12 of a change of address, the parcel is forwarded with an ACS notice.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 10“During months 1-12 of a COA, the parcel is forwarded and an electronic ACS notice is provided.”USPS original After 12 months, or when the parcel is undeliverable for another reason, USPS disposes of it and sends a notice.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 10“If the COA is over 12 months old or if undeliverable for any other reason (Refused, No Such Number, etc.), an ACS notice is provided and the parcel is disposed of by the USPS®.”USPS original The mailer then pays only the electronic address correction fee.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 10“The mailer pays only the electronic address correction fee via ACS.”USPS original DMM 507.1.5 sets restrictions on the use of Change Service Requested.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 10“Refer to DMM 507.1.5 for information regarding restrictions that apply to the use of Change Service Requested.”USPS original
Electronic Service Requested is a generic endorsement a mailer may print in place of Address Service Requested or Change Service Requested.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 9“Mailer may print either “Address Service Requested” or “Electronic Service Requested” on their parcel.”USPS originalTraditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 10“Mailer may print either “Change Service Requested” or “Electronic Service Requested”1 on their parcel. … The printed endorsement “Electronic Service Requested” on the mail is a generic endorsement that instructs Post Offices to send UAA mail to a CFS or PARS operation so an electronic ACS notice can be generated.”USPS original A mailer that uses several options gets a separate Participant ID for each.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 10“Mailers that need to use multiple endorsements and options for their parcels will be assigned a separate Participant ID for each.”USPS original With Electronic Service Requested printed, the Participant ID alone chooses the option.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 10“Printing the optional proxy endorsement “Electronic Service Requested” allows shippers to vary their endorsement option by the choice of Participant ID used on the piece.”USPS original It may only be used on parcels prepared to request electronic ACS.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 10“IMPORTANT NOTE: “Electronic Service Requested” may only be used on parcels that are properly prepared to request electronic ACS.”USPS original
The keyline
The keyline is printed directly below the Participant ID, left-aligned, between two pound signs.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 14“The keyline is printed directly below the Participant ID and left-aligned with beginning and ending pound sign (#) delimiters.”USPS original It holds at least one number and one letter besides its numeric check digit.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 14“Alphanumeric keylines must contain at least one numeric and one alpha (including the forward slash “/”) character in addition to the numeric check digit.”USPS original The pound signs and the spaces after every fourth character do not count toward its 16 characters.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 14“The pound sign delimiters and embedded spaces after each fourth character are not counted toward the 16-character limit and are not returned as part of an ACS record.”USPS original
Each keyline must be unique within the mailer's address file.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 14“The content of individual keylines must be unique to ensure identification of a particular customer within a mailer’s address file.”USPS original Positions 5 through 15 can hold an account number or other identifier for the customer, which helps the mailer update its files.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 19“Using positions 5 through 15 of the keyline to uniquely identify the specific customer will greatly enhance the ability to update files electronically. … The keyline may contain an account number or other identifier for that specific customer.”USPS original
The first four characters give the parcel's weight with an implied decimal, then a letter for its mail class.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 15“The first 4 characters of the Shipper Paid Service Keyline must contain the numeric representation of the weight of the parcel with an implied decimal. and the alpha character Marketing Mail, Parcel Select, or Package Services class indicator.”USPS original In the Marketing Mail example #062Y 1234 6996#, the parcel weighs 6.2 ounces and the check digit is 6.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 14“Weight of the parcel represented in ounces with implied decimal (for example: “062” equals 06.2 oz) … #062Y 1234 6996# indicator with the check digit “6””USPS original
| Mail class | Weight in characters 1 to 3 | Character 4 |
|---|---|---|
| USPS Marketing Mail parcels | OuncesTraditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 14“Weight of the parcel represented in ounces with implied decimal (for example: “062” equals 06.2 oz)”USPS original | YTraditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 14“For USPS Marketing Mail the fourth character must be a “Y””USPS original |
| Bound Printed Matter | Pounds, at most 70Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 14“Weight of the parcel represented in pounds with implied decimal (for example: “125” equals 12.5 pounds). No weight minimum but not greater than 70 lbs.”USPS original | BTraditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 14“B = Bound Printed Matter D = Parcel Select S = Media Mail L = Library Mail”USPS original |
| Parcel Select | Pounds, at most 70Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 14“Weight of the parcel represented in pounds with implied decimal (for example: “125” equals 12.5 pounds). No weight minimum but not greater than 70 lbs.”USPS original | DTraditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 14“B = Bound Printed Matter D = Parcel Select S = Media Mail L = Library Mail”USPS original |
| Media Mail | Pounds, at most 70Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 14“Weight of the parcel represented in pounds with implied decimal (for example: “125” equals 12.5 pounds). No weight minimum but not greater than 70 lbs.”USPS original | STraditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 14“B = Bound Printed Matter D = Parcel Select S = Media Mail L = Library Mail”USPS original |
| Library Mail | Pounds, at most 70Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 14“Weight of the parcel represented in pounds with implied decimal (for example: “125” equals 12.5 pounds). No weight minimum but not greater than 70 lbs.”USPS original | LTraditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 14“B = Bound Printed Matter D = Parcel Select S = Media Mail L = Library Mail”USPS original |
### The check digit {#check-digit}
Shipper Paid Services participants must compute the keyline's check digit with the MOD 10 algorithm.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 15“Shipper Paid Services ACS participants must use the MOD 10 algorithm to compute the check digit:”USPS original
Computing a keyline's MOD 10 check digit.
- Remove any spaces from the keyline before you start.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 15“Remove any spaces before beginning calculation.”USPS original
- Turn each letter into a number by keeping only its lower four bits, so
Lis 12.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 15“Convert the remaining characters to pure numeric values by zeroing out all but the lower four bits. … For example, if the second position of the keyline is “L,” whose value is 12, add the digits 1 + 2 (not the value 12) to the sum.”USPS original - Multiply the value at each odd-numbered position by 2.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 15“Multiply the value at each odd-numbered position (first position, third position, fifth position, etc.) by a weighting factor of 2.”USPS original
- Add the digits of every position's value, not the values themselves.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 15“Add the digits (not the actual value) in all positions.”USPS original
- Subtract the right-most digit of the sum from 10 to get the check digit.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 15“Subtract the right-most digit of the sum from 10, yielding the check digit.”USPS original
A sum whose right-most digit is 0 gives a check digit of 0.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 15“Note: If the right-most digit of the sum is 0, the check digit will be 0.”USPS original
Barcodes
A parcel may carry the IMpb, the barcode for parcels, or the IMb, the barcode used on letters and flats.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 16“There are 2 types of barcodes that are available for use; the Intelligent Mail package barcode (IMpb) for parcels, and the Intelligent Mail barcode (IMb) used on letters and flats.”USPS original Any valid Service Type Code may be used in the IMpb, and it has no effect on Shipper Paid Services.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 16“Any valid Service Type Code (STC) may be used in the IMpb. … The STC has no effect on the ability to obtain Traditional ACS and Shipper Paid Services.”USPS original
An IMb on a parcel must carry a Service Type ID that requests Traditional ACS.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 16“IMPORTANT NOTE: The appropriate IMb Service Type ID (STID) must be used in the IMb to request Traditional ACS.”USPS original No Service Type ID exists for Address Service Requested Option 3, or for Change Service Requested with Shipper Paid Services on parcels.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 16“There is currently no Service Type ID assigned for Traditional ACS with Address Service Requested with Shipper Paid Service Option 3 or for Change Service Requested with Shipper Paid Services for parcels.”USPS original A parcel that uses either one may not carry an IMb.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 16“If either of these ancillary services are desired, the IMb may not be included on the parcel.”USPS original A Bound Printed Matter flat with an IMb uses the Traditional ACS Service Type ID for Change Service Requested Option 2.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 10“IMPORTANT NOTE: When mailing Bound Printed Matter flats using the IMb, use the Traditional ACS - CSR2 Service Type ID (STID) in the barcode.”USPS original
Traditional ACS Service Type IDs for Bound Printed Matter.
| STID | Mail class | Option | Service level | Informed Visibility Mail Tracking & Reporting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 603 | Bound Printed Matter | Address Service Requested Opt 1** $ | Basic or Nonautomation | Without IV® MTR |
| 458 | Bound Printed Matter | Address Service Requested Opt 1** $ | Basic or Nonautomation | With IV® MTR |
| 604 | Bound Printed Matter | Address Service Requested Opt 1** $ | Full-Service | Without IV® MTR |
| 358 | Bound Printed Matter | Address Service Requested Opt 1** $ | Full-Service | With IV® MTR |
| 606 | Bound Printed Matter | Address Service Requested Opt 2** $ | Basic or Nonautomation | Without IV® MTR |
| 459 | Bound Printed Matter | Address Service Requested Opt 2** $ | Basic or Nonautomation | With IV® MTR |
| 608 | Bound Printed Matter | Address Service Requested Opt 2** $ | Full-Service | Without IV® MTR |
| 359 | Bound Printed Matter | Address Service Requested Opt 2** $ | Full-Service | With IV® MTR |
| 613 | Bound Printed Matter | Change Service Requested Opt 1** | Basic or Nonautomation | Without IV® MTR |
| 460 | Bound Printed Matter | Change Service Requested Opt 1** | Basic or Nonautomation | With IV® MTR |
1 to 10 of 20 codes in the Service Type IDentifier (STID) Table, effective January 21, 2024, where Group is Traditional ACS™.
Postage and fees
When a parcel is forwarded, USPS charges the forwarding postage to the mailer's ACS account at these prices.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 11“When a parcel is forwarded, the forwarding postage is calculated and charged to your ACS account as follows:”USPS original Each class's return postage is the same price as its forwarding postage.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 11“Media Mail & Library Mail - Retail Large Envelope & Parcel Single-Piece Price … Bound Printed Matter - Commercial Parcels Nonpresorted Price”USPS original
| Mail class | Forwarding and return postage |
|---|---|
| USPS Marketing Mail parcels | USPS Ground Advantage Retail Zone priceTraditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 11“USPS Ground Advantage™ – Retail ZONE price”USPS original |
| Parcel Select | USPS Ground Advantage Commercial Zone price, plus the ACS SPF/SPR Additional Service FeeTraditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 11“USPS Ground Advantage™ - Commercial Zone Price, plus the ACS SPF/SPR Additional Service Fee”USPS original |
| Media Mail and Library Mail | Retail Large Envelope and Parcel Single-Piece priceTraditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 11“Media Mail or Library Mail – Retail Large Envelope & Parcel Single-Piece Price … Media Mail & Library Mail - Retail Large Envelope & Parcel Single-Piece Price”USPS original |
| Bound Printed Matter parcels and flats | Bound Printed Matter Commercial Parcels Nonpresorted priceTraditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 11“Bound Printed Matter – Commercial Parcels Nonpresorted Price … Bound Printed Matter - Commercial Parcels Nonpresorted Price”USPS original |
An Electronic Address Correction Fee is charged on the monthly ACS invoice for each ACS notice provided.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 11“An Electronic Address Correction Fee is charged on your monthly ACS invoice for each ACS COA or Nixie notice provided.”USPS original Its amount is in the Notice 123 Price List under Domestic Other Services and Fees.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 11“The fee amount is found in the Notice 123 Price List under Domestic Other Services and Fees.”USPS original
Each forwarded Parcel Select parcel also carries a reduced ACS SPF/SPR Additional Service Fee on the monthly invoice.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 11“For Parcel Select parcels, a reduced ACS SPF/SPR Additional Service Fee is charged on your monthly ACS invoice for each forwarded Parcel Select parcel.”USPS original With Shipper Paid Return, a returned Parcel Select parcel carries the same reduced fee.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 11“When Shipper Paid Return services are requested, Parcel Select parcels that are not forwardable and must be returned to the sender are charged the reduced ACS SPF/SPR Additional Service Fee.”USPS original Without it, the Post Office where the parcel is returned charges the Parcel Select Additional Service Fee.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 11“If the ancillary service does not include Shipper Paid Return services, the Parcel Select Additional Service Fee will be charged at the Post Office where the parcel is returned.”USPS original The fee's price is in the Notice 123 Price List under Domestic Business Mailing Fees.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 11“For information regarding the price of the Additional Service Fee, refer to Notice 123 Price List under Domestic Business Mailing Fees.”USPS original
When forwarding is requested on Marketing Mail parcels, USPS collects the forwarding postage in a weighted fee charged on undeliverable returns.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 7“When forwarding is requested on Marketing Mail parcels, the forwarding postage is collected in the ‘weighted fee’ that is charged for the undeliverable returns.”USPS original A parcel that cannot be forwarded is charged the USPS Ground Advantage price multiplied by 2.472.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 7“The parcel that cannot be forwarded (Refused, Attempted Not Known, etc.) is charged the USPS Ground Advantage price multiplied by 2.472.”USPS original A Shipper Paid Services Marketing Mail mailer pays no weighted fee and pays the single-piece price for a returned piece.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 7“The weighted fee on returned pieces does not apply to a Shipper Paid Service Marketing mailer. … If the piece is returned at all, the shipper pays the single-piece postage price instead.”USPS original
Notices and files
ACS fulfillment files are zipped, protected with an 18-character password, and posted daily to EPF, USPS's secure Electronic Product Fulfillment web site.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 18“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 Access needs PS Form 5116, with a separate form for each login.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 17“Fulfillment via our secure EPF Internet Web site requires that you complete PS Form 5116 so you can access your Shipper Paid Service ACS files. … A separate form must be completed for each login access.”USPS original An ACS fulfillment account may have no more than 3 EPF login IDs.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 17“IMPORTANT NOTE: No more than 3 EPF login IDs are allowed for an ACS fulfillment account.”USPS original
EPF deletes ACS notification files after 95 days and billing invoice files after one year.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 18“All ACS notification files over 95 days old will be deleted. … All NCSC Billing invoice files over one year will be deleted.”USPS original The file layouts are in the ACS File Format Technical Guide.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 12“Information regarding file formats, NCSC Billing and invoice files can be found in the ACS File Format Technical Guide which can be found at: https://postalpro.usps.com/address-quality/ACS.”USPS original
Software that reads the files must check each record and field against the file layouts.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 18“For this reason the software developed to process ACS transactions must interrogate each record and field according to the specifications contained in the file layouts/formats and descriptions.”USPS original USPS suggests writing any abnormal record to an error file for manual review instead of stopping the program.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 18“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
Billing
The ACS billing cycle runs from the 25th of one month to the 24th of the next.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 12“The ACS billing cycle is from the 25th of the month to the 24th of the next month.”USPS original Payment is due with the invoice remittance slip within 30 days of the invoice date.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 12“Payment must be submitted with a copy of the invoice remittance slip within 30 days of the invoice date.”USPS original Balances unpaid after 30 days carry an annual interest rate of 10 percent.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 12“Unpaid balances more than 30 days old will be charged an annual interest rate of 10 percent.”USPS original A delinquent account may lose ACS fulfillment and get manual notices or returned mail.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 12“Delinquent accounts may cause the interruption of ACS fulfillment and may result in manual address correction notices or returned mail.”USPS original
ACS accounts are billed in one of two ways:
- New accounts are billed through NCSC Accounting, with the account number prefix
SSand electronic invoices on EPF.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 12“New ACS accounts are invoiced through the NCSC Accounting and have “SS” as a prefix to their account number. … 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 - Older accounts are billed through the San Mateo Accounting Service Center, with the prefix
MEMand mailed invoices.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 12“Older ACS accounts are invoiced through the San Mateo Accounting Service Center and have “MEM” as a prefix to their account number. … ACS accounts invoiced by San Mateo Accounting Service Center will receive a mailed invoice and statement monthly if the balance is more than $25.”USPS original
A balance that stays under $25 gets one annual invoice, on September 24.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 12“ACS customers whose balance remains less than $25 will be sent an annual invoice on September 24 of each year.”USPS original Within 6 days after the billing cycle ends, EPF receives a zipped file with a CSV data file and a PDF invoice.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 12“Within 6 days after the end of the ACS billing cycle, an additional zipped file will be posted to the EPF account that contains a CSV data file and a PDF version of your invoice.”USPS original The account owner or service provider is responsible for retrieving the invoices from EPF.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 12“It is the responsibility of the account owner or service provider to retrieve the monthly invoices from the EPF account.”USPS original USPS strongly encourages legacy accounts to convert to NCSC billing or a SingleSource ACS account.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 17“We STRONGLY encourage all legacy ACS Shipper Paid Services customers that are currently invoiced through the USPS Accounting Services Center to convert their existing accounts to an improved monthly NCSC ACS billing process or a SingleSource ACS account.”USPS original
Rules
A printed ancillary service endorsement is required when Traditional ACS with SPF/SPR is requested.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 9“A printed ancillary service endorsement is required when Traditional ACS with SPF/SPR is requested.”USPS original
Every Shipper Paid Services parcel must carry a printed ancillary service endorsement.
Alphanumeric Keylines are required on parcels requesting Shipper Paid Services and electronic ACS notices.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 14“Alphanumeric Keylines are required on parcels requesting Shipper Paid Services and electronic ACS notices.”USPS original
Every parcel that requests Shipper Paid Services must carry a keyline of letters and numbers.
The keyline must consist of a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 16 characters; including the required check digit that is calculated according to the Postal Service standard for check digit computation (see “Shipper Paid Service Standards for Check Digit Computation”).Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 14“The keyline must consist of a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 16 characters; including the required check digit that is calculated according to the Postal Service standard for check digit computation (see “Shipper Paid Service Standards for Check Digit Computation”).”USPS original
The keyline must be 5 to 16 characters long, counting a check digit computed by the USPS method.
The first 4 characters of the Shipper Paid Service Keyline must contain the numeric representation of the weight of the parcel with an implied decimal. and the alpha character Marketing Mail, Parcel Select, or Package Services class indicator.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 15“The first 4 characters of the Shipper Paid Service Keyline must contain the numeric representation of the weight of the parcel with an implied decimal. and the alpha character Marketing Mail, Parcel Select, or Package Services class indicator.”USPS original
The first four characters must give the parcel's weight and the letter for its mail class.
The rate type in your keyline must match the postage that was paid to mail the parcel.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 20“The rate type in your keyline must match the postage that was paid to mail the parcel.”USPS original
The mail class in the keyline must match the postage the mailer paid for the parcel.
When Traditional ACS Shipper Paid Services is desired, do NOT use a Mailer ID in the IMpb that is registered for IMpb ACS.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 16“When Traditional ACS Shipper Paid Services is desired, do NOT use a Mailer ID in the IMpb that is registered for IMpb ACS.”USPS original
A parcel using Traditional ACS Shipper Paid Services must not carry a Mailer ID registered for IMpb ACS in its IMpb.
If you print an Intelligent Mail® barcode (IMb - not to be confused with the IMpb - Intelligent Mail Package Barcode) on the address label of your parcel that also contains the Shipper Paid Service Participant ID and keyline requesting Shipper Paid Service ACS, the Service Type ID used in the IM barcode must request Traditional ACS and the specified ancillary service desired.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 17“If you print an Intelligent Mail® barcode (IMb - not to be confused with the IMpb - Intelligent Mail Package Barcode) on the address label of your parcel that also contains the Shipper Paid Service Participant ID and keyline requesting Shipper Paid Service ACS, the Service Type ID used in the IM barcode must request Traditional ACS and the specified ancillary service desired.”USPS original
An IMb on a Shipper Paid Services label must carry a Service Type ID that requests Traditional ACS and the chosen endorsement.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Before making any modifications to your NCSC-preapproved keyline characteristics (length or attribute), you must notify the ACS Department at the NCSC.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 14“IMPORTANT NOTE: Before making any modifications to your NCSC-preapproved keyline characteristics (length or attribute), you must notify the ACS Department at the NCSC.”USPS original
A mailer must tell the ACS Department before changing the length or attributes of its approved keyline.
What goes wrong
- A parcel with an invalid keyline is handled by its printed endorsement and may get a hardcopy notice, not an electronic one.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 20“The mailpiece will be processed according to the printed endorsement and a hardcopy notice may result instead of the electronic ACS notice.”USPS original
- An invalid keyline may also send the parcel to the addressee as postage due.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 20“Additionally, invalid formation of the keyline may cause the Shipper Paid Service parcel to be forwarded to the addressee as postage due.”USPS original
- A notice made from a badly formatted keyline may charge the wrong forwarding postage to the ACS account.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 20“If ACS is generated from an improperly formatted keyline, incorrect forwarding postage may be charged to your ACS account.”USPS original
- A wrong weight or mail class in the keyline may suspend Shipper Paid Services and add postage and fees to the account.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 20“Additionally, improper weight or mail class identification in the Shipper Paid Service keyline may result in suspension of Shipper Paid Service and additional postage and fees charged to your ACS account.”USPS original
- A parcel with no printed endorsement is treated as unendorsed, and no ACS notice is created.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 20“Undeliverable parcels will be treated as unendorsed and ACS notices will not be created.”USPS original
- Changing the keyline without telling the ACS Department could end electronic corrections, leaving all corrections manual.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 14“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 Participant ID placed on the wrong mail class lowers electronic ACS volumes.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 14“Incorrect placement of the Participant ID decreases electronic ACS volumes.”USPS original
- Sometimes no electronic notice can be created, and the parcel is forwarded, returned or discarded without a notice or Shipper Paid Services.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 10“Under certain circumstances, an electronic notice cannot be created and the piece may be forwarded to the addressee, returned as undeliverable, or discarded without generating an electronic ACS notice and Shipper Paid Services.”USPS original
- Shipper Paid Services with Bulk Parcel Return Service is not available to Marketing Mail parcel shippers.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 11“Note: Shipper Paid Service used in conjunction with Bulk Parcel Return Service is not available for the Marketing Mail parcel shipper at this time.”USPS original
- Refund requests for wrongly charged ACS records go by email to acs@usps.gov, and must arrive within 45 days of the invoice.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 13“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. … Requests must be received within 45 days of receipt of the invoice.”USPS original
- USPS gives no refund when a mailpiece was prepared incorrectly.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 13“Refunds are not provided when mailpieces are prepared incorrectly or a service was requested and provided.”USPS original
- ACS is not a guaranteed service, so some manual notices still arrive.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 8“While ACS is designed to substantially reduce the number of address correction notifications provided manually to mailers and replace them with electronic notifications, ACS is not a guaranteed service.”USPS originalTraditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 13“Manual notices may still be received, although reduced in volume.”USPS original
Terms
- Traditional ACSTRD
- The original version of ACS allows customers mailing letters, flats, or parcels to receive electronic address corrections.Service Type Identifier (STID) Quick Service GuidePDF page 1“The original version of ACS allows customers mailing letters, flats, or parcels to receive electronic address corrections.”USPS original
- Shipper Paid ForwardingSPF, Shipper Paid Forwarding option
- is an ACS fulfillment option that allows parcel mailers to receive and electronic address correction and pay forwarding postage via their ACS accountTraditional ACS™ Technical Guidepage 38“is an ACS fulfillment option that allows parcel mailers to receive and electronic address correction and pay forwarding postage via their ACS account”USPS original
- Participant IDPID, ACS Participant ID, Participant Code, ACS participant code, traditional ACS Participant ID/Code
- The Participant ID is always a 7-character alpha string that is preceded by a pound sign symbol, for example, #BWNBBCD.Guide to Move Updatepage 37“The Participant ID is always a 7-character alpha string that is preceded by a pound sign symbol, for example, #BWNBBCD.”USPS original
- Keylinetraditional ACS Keyline
- a unique code generated by the mailer that may incorporate customer identifiersService Type Identifier (STID) Quick Service GuidePDF page 1“a unique code generated by the mailer that may incorporate customer identifiers”USPS original
- Ancillary Service EndorsementASE
- a post-mailing, on-piece printed endorsement used to instruct the Postal Service regarding the appropriate disposition, upon determining that it is Undeliverable-asAddressed (UAA): Address Service Requested, Change Service Requested, Return Service Requested.Move Update Methods Requirements Fact Sheetpage 1“a post-mailing, on-piece printed endorsement used to instruct the Postal Service regarding the appropriate disposition, upon determining that it is Undeliverable-asAddressed (UAA): Address Service Requested, Change Service Requested, Return Service Requested.”USPS original
- Address Service RequestedASR, AS
- An Ancillary Service endorsement printed on mail by the sender that directs USPS to forward undeliverable-as-addressed mail and provide the sender notice of the new address. If no change-of-address order is on file or the time period for forwarding has expired, the piece is returned to the sender with the reason for nondelivery attached. Fees charged can vary by mail class and product.Publication 32: Glossary of Postal Termspage 9“An Ancillary Service endorsement printed on mail by the sender that directs USPS to forward undeliverable-as-addressed mail and provide the sender notice of the new address. If no change-of-address order is on file or the time period for forwarding has expired, the piece is returned to the sender with the reason for nondelivery attached. Fees charged can vary by mail class and product.”USPS original
- Change Service RequestedCSR, CS
- Allows the USPS to recycle or securely dispose of mail that is UAA, unless forwarding is requestedAddress Change Service (ACS) with Green & Secure Fact SheetPDF page 1“Allows the USPS to recycle or securely dispose of mail that is UAA, unless forwarding is requested”USPS original
- Electronic Service RequestedESR
- a generic endorsement that instructs Post Offices to send UAA mail to a CFS or PARS operation so an electronic ACS notice can be generatedTraditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 10“a generic endorsement that instructs Post Offices to send UAA mail to a CFS or PARS operation so an electronic ACS notice can be generated”USPS original
- Undeliverable as AddressedUAA, UAA mail
- mail that the USPS cannot deliver as addressed and must be forwarded to the addressee, returned to the sender, or discarded depending on the authorized treatment for that mail class and/or specific instructions provided by the mailer through ancillary service requestsMailer's Technical Advisory Committee - Best Practices for ACS™page 29“mail that the USPS cannot deliver as addressed and must be forwarded to the addressee, returned to the sender, or discarded depending on the authorized treatment for that mail class and/or specific instructions provided by the mailer through ancillary service requests”USPS original
- Change-of-AddressCOA, change-of-address order, changes-of-address
- When a customer moves from one mailing address to another and wants the Postal Service to forward their mail, they notify the post office of the permanent or temporary change-of-address (COA).Guide to Move Updatepage 8“When a customer moves from one mailing address to another and wants the Postal Service to forward their mail, they notify the post office of the permanent or temporary change-of-address (COA).”USPS original
- Electronic Product FulfillmentEPF, Electronic Product Fulfillment (EPF) web site, Electronic Fulfillment Website
- A secure web-based application managed by the National Customer Support Center in Memphis TN that is used to post and receive Address Management and Address Information System products, including ACS fulfillment files.Mailer's Technical Advisory Committee - Best Practices for ACS™page 43“A secure web-based application managed by the National Customer Support Center in Memphis TN that is used to post and receive Address Management and Address Information System products, including ACS fulfillment files.”USPS original
Documents
Tech Guides
- Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical GuideJanuary 18, 2024
Applications/Forms
Contacts
- The ACS Department at the National Customer Support Center answers questions at acs@usps.gov or (877) 640-0724, Option 1.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 8“If you have questions after reviewing the documentation, contact the NCSC ACS Department via email at acs@usps.gov or by phone at (877) 640-0724 (Option 1).”USPS original USPS recommends email.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 8“We recommend submitting questions via email.”USPS original Its hours are Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm CST.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 8“ACS DEPARTMENT Hours: Monday through Friday: 8am - 5pm CST”USPS original
- The EPF Department helps with the EPF web site at BXDMM0@usps.gov or 1-800-331-5747, Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm CST.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 8“For assistance with the Electronic Product Fulfillment (EPF) web site: … eMail: BXDMM0@usps.gov or call: 1-800-331-5747 … EPF DEPARTMENT Hours: Monday through Friday: 8am - 5pm CST”USPS original
- The NCSC Accounts Receivable Department explains credit card and ACH payments at 901-681-4658.Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guidepage 12“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
Sources
- PostalPro: Shipper Paid ServicesUSPS original
- Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical GuideUSPS original
- Intelligent Mail® Package Barcode (IMpb) ACS™ Technical GuideUSPS original
- Service Type Identifier (STID) Quick Service GuideUSPS original
- Traditional ACS™ Technical GuideUSPS original
- Guide to Move UpdateUSPS original
- Move Update Methods Requirements Fact SheetUSPS original
- Publication 32: Glossary of Postal TermsUSPS original
- Address Change Service (ACS) with Green & Secure Fact SheetUSPS original
- Mailer's Technical Advisory Committee - Best Practices for ACS™USPS original