CASS Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMb) Standards & Application 2

Question 1

In the IMb structure, what does the Barcode ID (BID) field consist of?

Accepted Answer

2 digits identifying the presort level and barcode usage

Answer

1 digit identifying mail type only

Answer

3 digits identifying the mailing campaign

Answer

4 digits identifying the postage payment method

Question 2

How many different bar states does each bar in an Intelligent Mail barcode have?

Accepted Answer

4 states (tracker, ascender, descender, full)

Answer

2 states (up or down)

Answer

3 states (tracker, ascender, descender)

Answer

5 states including a neutral position

Question 3

When did USPS mandate the use of Intelligent Mail barcodes as a requirement for automation price eligibility?

Accepted Answer

January 2013

Answer

January 2009

Answer

January 2011

Answer

January 2015

Question 4

What is the primary purpose of the IMb Tracing service offered by USPS?

Accepted Answer

To track individual mailpieces as they move through the postal processing and delivery network

Answer

To verify address deliverability before a mailing is submitted

Answer

To generate postage statements and manifests automatically

Answer

To validate Mailer ID assignments issued by USPS

Question 5

In a Full-Service IMb mailing, how must the Serial Number be assigned to comply with USPS requirements?

Accepted Answer

Uniquely per combination of Mailer ID and STID, with no reuse within a 45-day period

Answer

Sequentially starting at 000000001 and resetting for every new mailing

Answer

Randomly generated without any reuse restriction

Answer

Based solely on the destination ZIP Code of each mailpiece

Question 6

Which component of the Intelligent Mail barcode identifies the specific mailpiece within a mailer's production run?

Accepted Answer

Serial Number / Sequence Number

Answer

Service Type Identifier (STID)

Answer

Barcode ID (BID)

Answer

Routing Code

Question 7

What is the relationship between Mailer ID length and Serial Number length in the Intelligent Mail barcode?

Accepted Answer

A 6-digit MID pairs with a 9-digit serial number; a 9-digit MID pairs with a 6-digit serial number

Answer

Both are always 6 digits regardless of configuration

Answer

A 6-digit MID pairs with a 6-digit serial number; a 9-digit MID pairs with a 9-digit serial number

Answer

The serial number length is always fixed at 8 digits regardless of MID length