What Is USPS Automation Mail?

Key Takeaways

• The USPS uses automated machinery to sort and process the large volumes of mail that move through its network.
• To qualify for automation mail, certain USPS requirements need to be followed, such as mail piece design, addressing, preparation, and barcoding.
• If your mail qualifies for automation mail, it could receive lower commercial postage prices.
• A lettershop or mail-service provider can help prepare mail for a campaign to meet automation requirements.

Introduction

Have you ever wondered how the USPS is able to sort through millions of pieces of mail a day? Part of the reason that they can do this is due to postal automation. If you were to look at the mail that you received today, you would probably see a barcode printed close to your address. That barcode is one of the tools that the USPS uses to automate the processing and sorting of mail. Designing and preparing your mail could qualify to be processed by USPS automated equipment, which can affect the postage price for your campaign.

What Is USPS Automation Mail?

Rather than needing manual handling, mail that is compatible with automation is designed and prepared so USPS equipment can efficiently process it. This mail is prepared so that specialized equipment can read and process using information that is found on the mail piece, mainly the address and barcode.

How Does USPS Automation Mail Work?

As mentioned, USPS automation mail works by using automated equipment that can read information that is located on the mail piece, mainly the address and barcode, to help determine where the piece of mail needs to go. The equipment will then sort the mail according to its destination, so the mail can continue through the USPS network.

What Makes Mail Eligible for Automation Prices?

There isn’t just one requirement that makes a piece of mail able to be automated, there are several different boxes that a mail piece needs to check to be eligible for automation. Some of these criteria to make mail USPS automation mail qualified is the mail piece’s:

• Size and shape
• Weight and thickness
• Physical characteristics/machinability
• Address quality
• Address placement
• Barcoding
• Mail preparation and presorting

While these are general requirements for automation mail, the exact requirements are going to depend on the type of mail that is being sent. For more information on the requirements for automation mail, check out the USPS website’s section on automation here.

What Does Address Quality Have to Do with Automation?

If an address isn’t formatted correctly, the mail piece might not qualify for automated mail. Because of this, it’s recommended to have your data updated and standardized through a process known as data hygiene. Included in data hygiene are services that the USPS provides, Coding Accuracy Support System (CASS), National Change of Address (NCOA), and Delivery Point Validation (DPV), as well as address verification, address standardization, and merge/purge. Address data can be processed using CASS Certified software to standardize and validate the mailing list’s address information, while NCOA processing can identify individuals and addresses that have a change of address on their record, which can then be updated with the new address.

What Is an Intelligent Mail Barcode?

An Intelligent Mail barcode (IMb) is a barcode on your mail piece that contains routing information that comes from a ZIP Code and delivery point information, along with other mailer/service information. When the machinery looks at a piece of automated mail, the IMb is one of the pieces that the machine looks at.

How Does USPS Automation Mail Reduce Postage?

As mentioned, automated mail reduces the need to manually review the mail. Mail that meets the USPS requirements for automated mail can be processed efficiently by machinery, so qualifying commercial mail can receive a cheaper, automation price that is lower than the standard, non-automated postage price. For more information on how postal discounts work for direct mail, read about it here.

Is USPS Automation Mail the Same as Presorted Mail?

While USPS automation mail and presorted mail are similar, they are not the same. Presorting your mail involves organizing and preparing mail by destination before the USPS receives it. Automated mail on the other hand is mail that meets applicable USPS requirements for automation processing and pricing. While they are not the same, they work together well, and mail that has been presorted can also be automated.

Can Any Mail Piece Qualify for Automation?

No. Automation mail must meet established requirements that the USPS put in place, so certain shapes, dimensions, physical characteristics, etc. that can disqualify a piece of mail from automation. If you’re wondering if your mail piece will qualify for automation pricing, contact your lettershop or mail-service provider, and they will be able to assist you.

Who Prepares USPS Automation Mail?

A lettershop or mail-service provider can assist with the preparation of your mail piece to ensure that it’s eligible for automation mail before it’s dropped off with USPS. You don’t need to understand every USPS automation specification to run a direct mail campaign.

FAQ

• Q: Does adding a barcode automatically make my mail USPS automation mail?
  • A: No, it doesn’t. The barcode that is on the mail piece is an important part of automation, but the mail piece must meet all other USPS automation requirements.
• Q: Are postcards eligible for automation mail?
  • A: Yes, postcards are eligible for automation mail as well, assuming they meet the USPS requirements.
• Q: Are USPS automation mail and presorted mail the same thing?
  • A: No, presorted mail has to do with the way the mail is organized and prepared, whereas automated mail involves meeting criteria for automated processing. While they aren’t the same thing, automation mail and presorted mail are able to be used together.
• Q: Does automated mail receive cheaper postage?
  • A: If the mail meets all USPS eligibility requirements, then it can receive lower automation postage prices.
• Q: Does automation mail arrive quicker than non-automation mail?
  • A: While automated mail helps the USPS process mail efficiently, automation pricing isn’t a delivery service. Other aspects of your mail piece, such as the mail class, entry point, destination, USPS operations, and other factors will have more of an impact on delivery timing.

Conclusion

USPS automation allows for large quantities of mail to be processed efficiently. For direct mailers, making sure that your mail piece has been designed and prepared according to applicable automation requirements can help qualifying campaigns receive a lower commercial postage price.

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