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

The Barcode ID is a 2-digit field within the IMb that identifies the presort level of the mailpiece and indicates whether the barcode is used for basic or Full-Service processing.

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

Each of the 65 bars in an IMb has 4 possible states — tracker (short middle bar), ascender (extends upward), descender (extends downward), and full (extends both up and down) — allowing the barcode to encode more data per bar.

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

January 2013

Answer

USPS made the IMb mandatory for all mailings claiming automation prices effective January 28, 2013, requiring mailers to transition from legacy POSTNET barcodes.

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

IMb Tracing is a USPS service that uses scan data captured at postal processing facilities to provide mailers with visibility into when and where their individual mailpieces were scanned during delivery.

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

Full-Service IMb rules require that each barcode serial number be unique for a given Mailer ID and STID combination, and that serial numbers not be reused within a 45-day window to ensure piece-level uniqueness for tracking.

(CASS) Coding Accuracy Support System Certification Practice Test

(CASS) Coding Accuracy Support System Certification Practice Test

CASS Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMb) Standards & Application 2