If you're wondering, "Do you have to pay for IMB barcodes?" the answer is no, the USPS does not charge you for creating IMB barcodes (Intelligent Mail Barcodes).
These barcodes, developed by the United States Postal Service (USPS), are free to generate. However, there might be related costs depending on how you use the IMB barcode within the postal system, especially for business mailings.
Let's explore how these barcodes work, what they are used for, and how you can generate them using an IMB barcode generator.
What Is an IMB Barcode?
An IMB barcode, or Intelligent Mail Barcode, is a highly sophisticated code the USPS to improve mail tracking and delivery efficiency.
This type of barcode allows businesses and individuals to benefit from enhanced mail tracking, making it easier to ensure their mailpieces are delivered on time. It's especially useful for large-scale mailing operations where tracking and automation can save time and money.
Let's break down the IMB Number using the example:
IMB Number Example: 0012345678901234567890123456789 (31 digits)
IMB Number Structure:
The Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMB) is composed of five different sections, which are typically encoded in this sequence within the 31-digit number. Here's what each part represents:
1. Barcode Identifier (2 digits):
The first two digits, in this case, 00, are the Barcode Identifier.
This part is used to specify the type of barcode and its usage in the postal system (such as regular or tracking services).
2. Service Type Identifier (3 digits):
The next three digits, 123, are the Service Type Identifier (STID).
This code specifies the class of mail and any additional services requested (such as First-Class Mail with tracking or Marketing Mail).
3. Mailer ID (6 or 9 digits):
The next portion is the Mailer ID (MID), which can be either 6 or 9 digits long.
In this case, 456789 is the MID, identifying the sender (usually assigned by the USPS to businesses or organizations). A 6-digit MID is typically for larger volume mailers, while 9 digits are for smaller mailers.
4. Serial Number (up to 9 digits):
The following digits, 012345678, form the Serial Number.
This number is assigned by the mailer to uniquely identify each piece of mail. It allows tracking for individual mailpieces.
5. Delivery Point ZIP Code (5, 9, or 11 digits):
The final digits, 90123456789, are the Delivery Point ZIP Code.
This section represents the ZIP code of the recipient. It may be the basic 5-digit ZIP code, or it can include additional ZIP+4 or delivery point information (up to 11 digits).
How It Works:
Each segment of the IMB number contains crucial information for the USPS to sort, route, and track mail more effectively.
The entire 31-digit number gets encoded into 65 vertical bars using 4-state technology, where each bar can have one of four heights. These bars are then scanned and processed through USPS sorting machines.
Example Breakdown of IMB Number
00: Barcode Identifier (Type of mail barcode)
123: Service Type (Defines the service, such as tracking or class of mail)
456789: Mailer ID (Unique ID assigned to the sender by USPS)
012345678: Serial Number (Specific to the mailpiece for tracking)
90123456789: Delivery Point ZIP Code (Recipient's postal code for precise delivery)
This structured number ensures that mail can be sorted, tracked, and delivered accurately through USPS systems, especially when handling bulk mail campaigns.
Do You Have to Pay for IMB Barcodes?
While the USPS does not charge for the creation of an IMB barcode, it's essential to understand that certain associated costs may arise depending on how you use these barcodes. Let's break down the potential indirect costs:
1. Postage Fees: While the barcode itself is free, using it for mailing requires postage fees, just like any other USPS service. Depending on the volume of mail and the type of service (e.g., First-Class Mail, Marketing Mail), these fees can vary.
2. Bulk Mail Software: Businesses that regularly send bulk mail often use special software to generate, track, and optimize IMB barcodes. Some of these software solutions may come with fees, especially for advanced features like address verification and reporting.
3. USPS Discounts: Interestingly, using IMB barcodes can reduce your mailing costs. Businesses can qualify for USPS automation discounts if they meet specific mail preparation standards. This can help offset any indirect costs that might come with using IMB barcodes.
Benefits of Using IMB Barcodes
Using postal IMB barcodes provides a variety of benefits, particularly for businesses:
1. Enhanced Mail Tracking: IMB barcodes give full visibility into where your mail is at every stage of the USPS handling process. This makes it easy to track deliveries, especially for marketing campaigns or important mailpieces.
2. Automation and Speed: Because IMB barcodes are part of the USPS automation system, they help the postal service sort mail faster and with fewer errors. This can lead to faster delivery times.
3. Discounted Postage: By using IMB barcodes, businesses can meet USPS automation requirements and qualify for postage discounts. This can save significant costs, especially for large-scale mailings.
4. Data Collection and Insights: IMB barcodes enable businesses to gather more data on the performance of their mailing campaigns. By tracking which mailpieces were successfully delivered or returned, companies can analyze their marketing efforts and optimize future campaigns.
How IMB Barcodes Are Scanned
The USPS uses special IMB barcode scanners throughout its processing facilities. These scanners read the bars in the IMB barcode, allowing the USPS to track and route mailpieces more efficiently.
The scanning process updates the tracking information, so senders can monitor the delivery status through USPS's tracking tools.
This data ensures that you know exactly where your mail is, whether it's still in transit or has been delivered to the recipient. Businesses, in particular, find this useful for tracking customer communications or direct mail advertising.
In conclusion, the answer to "Do you have to pay for IMB barcodes?" is no, there are no direct fees for generating or using IMB barcodes. However, associated costs like postage fees or software subscriptions may apply depending on how you use the barcodes.
Fortunately, generating an IMB barcode is free, and using an IMB barcode generator allows you to easily create one for your mailing needs.
So, if you're ready to optimize your mail process, give a free online barcode generator a try today and take advantage of the benefits it brings to your mailing strategy.
