USPS Barcode and Labeling Issues 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A bulk mailing tray label shows the 5-digit ZIP destination as '9021O' (the letter O instead of zero). What type of error is this?
- A font rendering issue that scanners can auto-correct
- An OCR-confusable character substitution that can cause misrouting of the entire tray (Correct answer)
- Acceptable because tray labels are read by humans only
- Only relevant if the city name is also missing
Correct answer: An OCR-confusable character substitution that can cause misrouting of the entire tray
Substituting the letter 'O' for the digit '0' is a common OCR-confusable error that can route an entire tray of mail to the wrong facility.
Question 2: A mailer's software generates a Delivery Point Barcode (DPBC) using an address that has not been CASS-certified. What is the likely consequence?
- CASS certification is optional and has no effect on barcode accuracy
- The DPBC may encode an incorrect or non-existent delivery point, causing misdelivery (Correct answer)
- Only bulk mailers need CASS-certified addresses
- The DPBC will be rejected at the post office window
Correct answer: The DPBC may encode an incorrect or non-existent delivery point, causing misdelivery
Without CASS certification, addresses may contain errors that cause the generated barcode to encode an invalid or wrong delivery point.
Question 3: A label on a First-Class package shows two different ZIP codes: one in the printed address block and a different one encoded in the barcode. Which takes precedence during automated processing?
- The printed address always takes precedence
- The barcode takes precedence during automated sorting, potentially overriding the correct destination (Correct answer)
- USPS clerks manually reconcile any conflicts
- The lower ZIP code number is always used
Correct answer: The barcode takes precedence during automated sorting, potentially overriding the correct destination
Automated sorting equipment reads and acts on the barcode first, so a barcode encoding a wrong ZIP will route the piece incorrectly even if the printed address is correct.
Question 4: A presort mailing uses red ink to print barcodes on white envelopes. Why would this cause processing problems?
- Red ink is permitted for all barcode applications
- USPS scanners use infrared light that cannot distinguish red ink from a white background, making the barcode unreadable (Correct answer)
- Only laser-printed barcodes are accepted
- Red ink fades too quickly during transit
Correct answer: USPS scanners use infrared light that cannot distinguish red ink from a white background, making the barcode unreadable
USPS barcode scanners use near-infrared illumination, and red ink reflects infrared similarly to white paper, rendering the barcode invisible to the scanner.
Question 5: An envelope label lists the return address in the delivery address area and the delivery address in the return address area. What processing error will result?
- USPS will deliver to the address in the lower right regardless of label format
- Mail will be delivered or returned to the wrong party because automated systems use address position to determine routing (Correct answer)
- Address position is irrelevant for First-Class mail
- The piece will be held at the originating post office
Correct answer: Mail will be delivered or returned to the wrong party because automated systems use address position to determine routing
Automated systems use the position of address blocks to determine destination versus return routing, so swapped addresses cause delivery to the wrong recipient.
Question 6: A mailer prints a 'MEDIA MAIL' endorsement on a package but the barcode encodes a Priority Mail service type code. What is the problem?
- Service endorsements and barcodes are independent and do not conflict
- The service type code mismatch means the piece will be processed and charged as Priority Mail, contradicting the endorsement (Correct answer)
- Barcode service codes are only used for tracking, not billing
- Media Mail does not require a barcode
Correct answer: The service type code mismatch means the piece will be processed and charged as Priority Mail, contradicting the endorsement
The service type code within the barcode drives automated processing and billing, so a mismatch between the printed endorsement and the encoded service type causes incorrect handling and potential postage disputes.
Question 7: A flat-size mailpiece passes through a barcode sorter but exits as unreadable. The barcode itself is intact, but it is printed on a metallic silver envelope. What is the cause?
- Metallic envelopes are permitted if the barcode area is white
- Metallic surfaces reflect scanner light unpredictably, causing excessive noise that prevents reliable barcode reading (Correct answer)
- The sorter speed must be reduced for metallic envelopes
- Silver envelopes require a 2D barcode instead of a linear barcode
Correct answer: Metallic surfaces reflect scanner light unpredictably, causing excessive noise that prevents reliable barcode reading
Metallic or highly reflective surfaces scatter the scanning laser beam, creating signal noise that prevents the scanner from reliably distinguishing bars from spaces.
USPS Barcode and Labeling Issues 3
A bulk mailing tray label shows the 5-digit ZIP destination as '9021O' (the letter O instead of zero).
What type of error is this?