postalref

SuiteLink®

SuiteLink is a USPS data product of business addresses that CASS processing matched only to a building's highrise default. Address matching software uses it to add the known suite number, so USPS can sequence the mail for delivery. USPS offers SuiteLink at no charge.

Updated October 31, 202630 sources

What it is

A highrise default is a record that holds a building's street address and leaves the suite blank. An address matches a default when its suite is missing or invalid. The mail then carries no suite, so USPS cannot sequence it to the business.

Given a business name and an address that matches a highrise or street default, SuiteLink returns the suite number when one is known. Its purpose is to give mailers a tool to improve the business addresses in their mailing lists.

SuiteLink never runs on its own: it is one step inside CASS Certified software. It is mandatory for CASS certification, along with DPV or DSF2 and LACSLink. End users of CASS software must use it in production, not only in tests. Like the other licensed products, SuiteLink cannot be shipped outside the United States.

How it works

The SuiteLink interface is the software a developer writes to connect address matching to the SuiteLink Product.

  1. When an address matches a street or highrise default, the software queries SuiteLink.
  2. It builds keys from significant words in the business name and address, through the secure hash algorithm.
  3. The keys probe the SuiteLink table.
  4. It checks a matching key for enough confidence before it applies the suite.
  5. It runs CASS again on the address with the suite, to get the correct ZIP + 4 Code.
  6. It returns the standardized address, an 11-digit Delivery Point Barcode and return code A.

In the CASS test example, UT Animal Research at 910 Madison Ave in Memphis comes back as 910 MADISON AVE STE 823, ZIP + 4 Code 38103-3435.

The mailer may leave the suite off the printed address, but the 11-digit barcode must match the SuiteLink address. USPS encourages mailers to print the suite, so the mail reaches the intended recipient.

Return codes

The interface reports each SuiteLink query with a return code, and only when processing reaches the SuiteLink table. In CASS output, the field stays blank when SuiteLink was not queried.

Return code A is a SuiteLink record match: the input matched the master file, and an improved business address could be furnished.

Return code 00 is no match: the input could not be matched, and no improved business address could be furnished.

The data

USPS delivers the full SuiteLink dataset as a flat file each month, through its Electronic Product Fulfillment website. Only the two most recent releases are available to download.

The interface stops working once its SuiteLink data is more than 105 days past the product date.

Developer licensees must also receive the ZIP + 4 and City/State Products every month. For distributor licensees, USPS recommends monthly updates instead. Other users of those products must update within 45 days of each USPS release.

Licensing

USPS licenses SuiteLink in two categories. A SuiteLink Interface Developer License lets a company build interface software that reads SuiteLink. The developer must be a CASS software manufacturer or integrator, or be becoming one.

A SuiteLink Interface and Data Distributor License lets a company market that software and pass SuiteLink data on to others. A distributor must first certify its own interface under a separate developer license. It ships the SuiteLink data with its interface, with a printed statement that the data is held confidential.

USPS's fee sheet lists SuiteLink's developer, distributor and data user licenses at no charge. Licensees may bundle SuiteLink with products such as NCOALink and with their own services such as merge/purge.

A developer qualifies for its license and certifies its interface in this order.

  1. The developer sends an application, statements, a key personnel listing and security documentation.
  2. USPS executes the signed License Agreement and sends the Software Developer Kit.
  3. The developer tests its interface on the Stage I file of questions and answers.
  4. The developer requests a SuiteLink certification Stage II test in writing.
  5. USPS issues a software certification notice once steps 1 to 3 are complete.

A distributor applies with the same documents. USPS sends the distributor license only after the certification notice under the developer license.

Each licensee keeps a central email address for USPS correspondence, ncscinfo@<yourcompany.com>.

Rules

The SuiteLink System cannot be distributed and used as part of a standalone product outside of a CASS environment.

A licensee must not sell or use SuiteLink as a product of its own. It must run inside CASS software.

Licensee must be a CASS software manufacturer or integrator to develop an Interface Product to access the SuiteLink data.

A company must make or integrate CASS software before it builds an interface to SuiteLink data.

The Interface must be reviewed, tested, and approved by the USPS prior to any actual use and/or distribution of the SuiteLink Product for processing occurring in a production environment to ensure that all license requirements are met.

USPS must review, test and approve the interface before anyone uses or distributes it on production mailing lists.

The new suite number does not have to be appended to the address for production mail but must be included in the barcode that is sprayed on the mailpiece to qualify for automation rates.

The printed address may leave the suite off. The barcode on the mailpiece must include it for the piece to qualify for automation rates.

All SuiteLink elements in the audit output file must be provided with 100 percent accuracy.

Every SuiteLink element the interface returns for a USPS audit file must be correct.

Pursuant to License Agreement Section 6.3.2, Developer is prohibited from representing to third parties that USPS has certified Developers’ SuiteLink Interface until USPS issues a software certification notice to Developer.

A developer must not tell anyone its interface is certified until USPS sends the certification notice.

Licensees providing online inquiry capability shall know their end users and shall not respond to inquiries from unknown users.

A licensee that offers online lookups must know its users and must not answer unknown ones.

What goes wrong

USPS audits each licensee's SuiteLink process once a year, with the CASS cycle. The audit file tests the interface with complete and incomplete business addresses.

When USPS finds a problem, it can order a fix, or suspend or end the license. A developer gets 30 days from the notice to fix deficiencies and retest. A developer that misses that window gets a suspension notice and must stop all SuiteLink activity. The license ends if the deficiencies remain at the end of the suspension.

A distributor gets 60 days to fix deficiencies, retest and send the updated software to customers. During a distributor's suspension, USPS also stops sending it SuiteLink data.

Licensees must repair SuiteLink equipment and software deficiencies within 30 days of finding them.

At mail acceptance, USPS scans names and addresses from a sample of the mailing. A mailer that purposely uses the default ZIP + 4 in place of SuiteLink's result risks the whole mailing's automation discounts. Sending false or invalid business names so SuiteLink finds no match counts the same way.

Terms

highrise defaultdefault highrise record
A highrise default contains the building street address in the primary range field and spaces in the secondary range field.
Coding Accuracy Support SystemCASS, CASS software program, CASS certification process, Coding Accuracy Support System (CASS) certification
provides hardware and software manufacturing, service bureaus, and commercial mailers a common measure by which to test the quality of address-matching software.
SuiteLink Interface Developer License
The SuiteLink Interface Developer License authorizes the development of Interface Products to access the SuiteLink Product.
SuiteLink Interface and Data Distributor License
The SuiteLink Interface and Data Distributor License authorizes the right to distribute and market Interface Products and redistribute SuiteLink data to third parties.
Delivery Point BarcodeDPBC
A general term for a POSTNET barcode that contains the nine digits of the ZIP+4 code plus two digits, which are generally the last two digits of the primary street address number (or Post Office Box, etc.).
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.
secondary address unit designator
An address element in the delivery address line that indicates an apartment, office, suite, or some other division (e.g., 102 MAIN ST STE 202).
ZIP + 4 Product
The ZIP + 4® Product is a base reference file that can be accessed by an application to assign the correct ZIP + 4® Code associated with a physical address.
Locatable Address Conversion Systems LinkageLACSLINK, LOCATABLE ADDRESS CONVERSION SYSTEM LINKAGE
A secure dataset of converted addresses that primarily arise from the implementation of the 911 emergency location services system which commonly involves changing rural-style addresses to city-style addresses.

Documents

Tech Guides

Quick Service Guides

Fact Sheets

Contact Lists

Applications/Forms

Contacts

For SuiteLink administration and technical questions, contact the Licensing Department at 800-589-5766 or ncoalink@usps.gov.

Developers send certification materials to the Licensing Department at the National Customer Support Center, 225 N Humphreys Blvd Ste 501, Memphis TN 38188-1001, or fax 650-577-5773.

To become a CASS software manufacturer, contact the CASS/MASS department at 800-642-2914.

Sources