CASS Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMb) Standards & Application 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the abbreviation 'IMb' stand for in USPS postal operations?
- Integrated Mail Barcode
- Intelligent Mail barcode (Correct answer)
- Interactive Mailing Barcode
- Indexed Mail Batch
Correct answer: Intelligent Mail barcode
IMb stands for Intelligent Mail barcode, the USPS standard barcode that replaced the legacy POSTNET and PLANET barcodes.
Question 2: How many bars does a complete Intelligent Mail barcode contain?
- 52
- 58
- 65 (Correct answer)
- 72
Correct answer: 65
A complete IMb contains exactly 65 bars, each of which can be in one of four states: tracker, ascender, descender, or full.
Question 3: Which legacy USPS barcodes did the Intelligent Mail barcode replace?
- Code 128 and PDF417
- POSTNET and PLANET (Correct answer)
- DataMatrix and QR Code
- UPC-A and EAN-13
Correct answer: POSTNET and PLANET
The IMb was designed to replace and consolidate the older POSTNET (routing) and PLANET (tracking) barcodes into a single, more capable barcode.
Question 4: What is the Service Type Identifier (STID) component of the IMb?
- A 2-digit code identifying the mail class
- A 3-digit code identifying mail class and special services requested (Correct answer)
- A 6-digit code assigned to the mailer by USPS
- A 9-digit code representing the delivery point
Correct answer: A 3-digit code identifying mail class and special services requested
The STID is a 3-digit code within the IMb that identifies the class of mail and any special services (such as ACS or return services) requested by the mailer.
Question 5: How many digits can a USPS-assigned Mailer ID (MID) contain in the Intelligent Mail barcode?
- 4 or 7 digits
- 5 or 8 digits
- 6 or 9 digits (Correct answer)
- 7 or 10 digits
Correct answer: 6 or 9 digits
USPS assigns Mailer IDs in two lengths — 6 digits or 9 digits — which determines the paired Serial Number length so that both fields together always total 15 digits.
Question 6: What is the maximum number of digits in the Routing Code field of the Intelligent Mail barcode?
- 5 digits (ZIP Code only)
- 9 digits (ZIP+4)
- 11 digits (ZIP+4 plus delivery point) (Correct answer)
- 13 digits (ZIP+4 plus delivery point plus check digit)
Correct answer: 11 digits (ZIP+4 plus delivery point)
The Routing Code can contain 0, 5, 9, or 11 digits; at 11 digits it encodes the 5-digit ZIP, the 4-digit add-on, and the 2-digit delivery point — providing the most precise routing information.
Question 7: Which of the following best describes the Full-Service Intelligent Mail barcode option?
- Using the IMb only on the mailpiece exterior with no other requirements
- A program offering additional postage discounts in exchange for unique barcodes and electronic documentation submission (Correct answer)
- A service that provides address correction information only, with no discount
- A barcode printed on both the front and back of the mailpiece
Correct answer: A program offering additional postage discounts in exchange for unique barcodes and electronic documentation submission
Full-Service IMb is a USPS program that offers additional postage discounts to mailers who use unique barcodes per mailpiece and submit postage statements and container data electronically.
CASS Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMb) Standards & Application 1
What does the abbreviation 'IMb' stand for in USPS postal operations?