This topic displays definitions of terms specific to the US Postal Service. Use the letter links below to navigate to that section of this topic.

 

A

ASF - Automated Sorting Facility or Auxiliary Service Facility (ASF) – A mechanized U.S. Postal Service facility, usually part of a general mail facility (GMF), that has its own service area and serves as a satellite processing hub for a particular Network Distribution Center (NDC).

 

B

Bulk - synonymous with 'presorted'.

 

C

Concatenated Integrated Bar Code - The bar code required on U.S. Postal Service labels; contains the Package Identification Code (PIC) used for tracking packages and the Postal Routing Code. This bar code replaces the need to print a separate ZIP Code bar code for Confirmation Special Service packages using the 3-cent bar code discount. This type of bar code is used for all USPS services except Priority Mail Express.

If the barcode is concatenated, the human-readable portion contains both a standard PIC and a postal routing code for a total of 30 digits. This string is divided into the following sections: a three–digit Application Identifier (420), followed by a space, followed by the five–digit postal routing code (ZIP Code), followed by a space, followed by the PIC parsed into groups of four digits with a space placed between each group. Two check digits are appended; for example:
 
420 22153 9102 0268 3733 1000 0395 21

Note that the PIC is prefixed with the digits 91 for all services. (The next two digits in this initial group of four digits are the Service Code indicating the type of service; in the previous example, the "02" in 9102 = Parcel Select Lightweight with Delivery Confirmation.) When processing a U.S. Postal Service package with Delivery or Signature Confirmation and Insurance Special Services, the Concatenated Integrated Bar Code combines the information for both types of Special Services (eliminating the need to print two separate bar codes on the label).

 

D

DDU - Destination Delivery Unit - Local post offices located in neighborhoods across the United States.

DNDC - Destination Network Distribution Center (DNDC) rate – A U.S. Postal Service rate for Parcel Select Lightweight that is properly prepared and entered by the mailer at the Network Distribution Center or other designated postal facility that serves the delivery address on the mail.

 

M

Machinable - Describes parcels whose dimensions, weights, or both, allow them to be processed on mechanized parcel sorting equipment.

N

NDC - Network Distribution Center (NDC) – A highly mechanized U.S. Postal Service mail processing plant that distributes Parcel Select Lightweight in piece and bulk form. Formerly Bulk Mail Center (BMC).

 

P

Package Services - Formerly known as Fourth Class Mail and Parcel Select Lightweight (B); this class includes Inter-NDC, Intra-NDC, Parcel Select, Media Mail, Library Mail, and Bound Printed Matter.

Permit Imprint Indicia - System used by the US Postal Service for labels or marks applied to a mail item to indicate electronic postage payment. A permit imprint indicia consists of human-readable characters and symbols containing information such as mail class, destination city and state, company name, Permit No., and pricing method. (Not all of these items may be included in a given permit imprint indicia.)

Postage Statement - A form provided by a mailer to the U.S. Postal Service that reports the volume of mail being presented and the postage payable or affixed, and which certifies that the mail meets the applicable eligibility standards for the rate claimed.

PVDS – Plant-Verified Drop Shipments, a type of U.S. Postal Service mail. Mailings that are verified and paid for at a postal facility different from the one at which they are accepted as mail and deposited into the mail stream. The mailer must complete a PS Form 8125, have it verified by the Post Office, and include it with the mail.

 

R

Rate Case - Process by which the U.S. Postal Service implements a rate or classification change.