Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMB)
The Intelligent Mail Barcode is a new barcode being developed by the post office that will be used in place of the postnet barcode that is currently on mailpieces.
What is the IMB?
Intelligent Mail Barcode: 
The Intelligent Mail Barcode has bars that ascend, descend and are full (ascend and descend). By using the "4 States" (Ascend short, Ascend Tall, Descend and Full), the post office can encode more information into the barcode without taking up a lot more space on the mailpiece.
The current postnet barcode 
only contains the delivery point zip code telling the post office where to deliver the mailpiece.
The new Intelligent Mail Barcode will contain:
- Who is mailing the piece
- What additonal services you would like (such as Address updates, signature on delivery, delivery confirmation, etc.)
- A unique serial number for each mailpiece
- The delivery point barcode.
Benefits of the IMB:
- Can use OneCode ACS
- Functions like the Address Service Requested Ancillary Endorsement where the piece is forwarded to the customer's new address. Instead of receiving a slip of paper with the new address, the updated address is sent to you electronically.
- The pricing is much cheaper
- First Class (first 2 notifications): FREE
- First Class (per additional notification): $0.06
- Standard Mail (first 2 notifications): $0.03
- Standard mail (per additional notification): $0.18
- You can track individual pieces of mail through the mail stream
- Each post office stop is noted right up until the mail carrier takes it out for delivery.
- The post office will know who mailed the piece out if there is a problem.
- This is why it is important to follow ALL the postal regulations, such as FIM Marks on Courtesy Reply Envelopes
Con's to the IMB:
- The Post Office is still finalizing the exact rules so we cannot implement
- Not all postal facilities can read the IMB yet
Rescigno's Mailing Solutions has been working very closely with the post office for the past year to work out some of the kinks and provide feedback. The post office is testing the Intelligent Mail Barcode, so you will start seeing it on more and more pieces. Rescigno's Mailing Solutions is fully capable of producing the Intelligent Mail Barcode, so we can implement as soon as the post office finalizes the specifications. We will continue to keep everyone informed regarding this exciting new technology.
