Last week I received an email from the ever-diligent Domestic Mail Manual(DMM) division of the United States Postal Service(USPS) notifying consumers and businesses of a new program. Starting this Summer, commercial mailers that include mobile barcodes either INSIDE or on their mailings will receive a three percent discount on the delivery.
This is pretty cool news on a number of fronts. One, it’s excellent to see the USPS keeping up with the times! Two, the fact they can recognize and process barcodes within the enclosed piece is a neat feature that might add some interesting flexibility to the mailing process. I’m thinking of the creative possibilities for this as it becomes more widely used.
Here’s the latest info from the DMM themselves surrounding the program that runs from July 1- August 31:
-First-Class Mail and Standard Mail (including Nonprofit Standard Mail) letters, flats and cards with a mobile barcode inside or on the mail-piece can qualify for the discount.
-Participation requires electronic documentation.
-Commingled, combined and co-mail mailings are allowed and a separate postage statement is required for pieces with mobile barcodes.
This is obviously a pretty cutting-edge program for the USPS and is certainly a smart way to infuse mobile technologies with your direct mail campaigns. For more information, check out the RIBBS website: https://ribbs.usps.gov/index.cfm?page=mobilebarcode
To subscribe to the DMM Advisory, send an e-mail to dmmadvisory@usps.com and just insert “subscribe” in the subject line.
Hey, I’m just thrilled to be sharing news about the USPS that’s not another price hike story! So, check out the program and let us know some of the benefits you think this will bring your business.
